Destiny of the Heart (Viking Destiny) (26 page)

“True, but a gentlemen pirate is.”
“You're a wretched “
Kristen rolled her eyes. Derrick's nasty demeanor was
starting to get on her nerves. “Bloody everlasting hell, Derrick
do stop being so rude to everyone.”
Tristan lifted a brow. “Does she always swear so
much?”
“If you have a question about me, perhaps you should
be asking me. I can speak, you know.” She was pushing her
luck, she knew she was.
"Yes, I've noticed." Tristan said dryly, though the look
he gave Derrick was utter amusement.
Derrick frowned and his eyes began to glow, a warning
sign that he was reaching his limits with Tristan. Not that
Tristan cared. He could more than handle his own with his
dear brother.
Tristan cleared his throat. “Well, perhaps you two
should freshen up and rest before dinner. The lady was
entirely correct when she said that I'd like to keep my house
the way it is, and at the rate you two are going, it will be in
shambles well before then.”
“Perhaps a breather from each other is in order.”
Derrick replied coldly. “Besides, I have business to discuss
that needs immediate attention.” His eyes never left hers.
Sparks flew between them, both passionate and angry.
“As you wish. Kristen, I have another lady who is here
visiting, and I'm sure she would love your company. It would
seem you two have much in common.”
Before Kristen could ask any questions, a woman
appeared from the hallway behind them, speaking rapidly in
another language.
“Blanco diablo! Dos? Oh, ay dios mio!” She said,
crossing herself.
“Ah, here she is now. Chelsea, please come and meet
my guests.”
“No! One of you is bad enough, but two I cannot take. I
want to go home, now!” She demanded angrily. Kristen
noticed she had a thick accent as she spoke to them in
English.
“I've already told you no. Now, come.” He held out his
hand for her.
Kristen looked between them as the woman walked
slowly to his side. She recognized the look of lust in Tristan's
eyes and knew it was the desire of a man battling with himself
to stay in control. She had seen that look on Derrick often
enough to know. But, Kristen also saw that the lady was in
much the same situation as herself. Desperately attracted to
someone she shouldn't be.
“Chelsea, this is my brother Derrick and his lady friend,
Kristen.” Tristan said pleasantly.
“Hola, coma esta.” Chelsea added absently, not
thinking.
“What did you say?” Derrick asked.
“She said, “Hi, how are you?”” Kristen answered. Her
mother had a gift of languages and had taught her a few,
Spanish being one of them.
They all looked at her with different degrees of surprise
on their face. She merely lifted her brow and shrugged.
“You understood her?” Derrick asked.
“Yes, of course. She is speaking Spanish. Beautiful
language.”
Chelsea smiled brightly, a fact that had Tristan looking
just a little more lustful. She began speaking rapidly in her
language.
“Do you truly understand me, then? Are you fluent
enough to converse with me? It has been so long since I have
heard my own tongue!”
“Yes, I understand you perfectly. My speech is perhaps
not as good as yours, but fluent enough I think.”
“Oh, thank God! Please, you must help me. I wish to go
home to my family and this arrogant cur will not allow me to do
so.” Chelsea pleaded. Cautiously, she looked between the two
men. They were somewhere between bemused and
entertained.
“Did he take you against your will?”
“Yes, he took me the night before I was to get married.”
Kristen gasped and rounded on Tristan. She pulled
back her hand and slapped him with all the force she had,
then switched to English for his benefit.
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself, you bloody
bastard!”
“What the devil did you hit me for?” Tristan asked
angrily.
“You had no right!” Kristen screamed.
Kristen started to leap toward him again, fully intent on
attacking him, but Derrick grabbed her and pulled her to him.
He wrapped his arms around her protectively, but she pushed
him away. Tristan rounded on Chelsea.
“What the hell did you say to her?” He demanded.
“Only the truth.” She replied calmly, happy to have an
ally.
“Which is?”
“That you have taken me from mi familia and mi
espouso and will not return me as I have asked.”
Tristan rounded on Kristen. “And for that you hit me?
Like a girl?” He asked incredulously.
“If you were not Derrick's brother, I'd have done more.”
She glared at him.
“I don't doubt it, but if you ever hit me again I will see to
it that you are properly taken care of. Obviously my brother “
“Do not make threats, Tristan. I will not allow you to
harm her, no matter her actions.” Derrick interrupted.
Tristan raised a questioning brow. “I believe I need a
bloody drink.” With that, he stalked off to his study and
slammed the door.
Derrick kissed Kristen on the forehead and followed his
brother into the study. The two women were left alone in the
entryway.
“Gracias, Senorita. That was unnecessary, and
perhaps unwise.”
“Perhaps, but I understand what it is like to be helpless
in a situation and I don't like to see others in a similar way.”
Chelsea laughed nervously. “You don't seem to have a
problem taking care of yourself. I saw you throw Tristan, it is
why I came down.”
“I can certainly handle my own now, but it was not
always so. My mother taught me a great many things.”
“And where did she learn these things?”
“From my father.”
Chelsea nodded. “Do you think you could teach me
some of that?”
“What, the fighting? If you're stuck here with a man like
that, then certainly. Planned on doing so anyway.”
Chelsea grinned. It was good to have another woman
she could talk to that would understand her problems, even if
there was nothing she could do. The other women in the
house didn't seem the least bit interested in Chelsea's
distress. They were, in fact, rather put out that Chelsea was
there.
“Thank you.” Chelsea said quietly.
Kristen nodded in acknowledgment and smiled. “Let's
get started, shall we?”
Kristen grabbed Chelsea's arm and made for the stairs.
“Senorita, I'm afraid I'm clumsy at the best of times, I
cannot possibly learn anything in this dress.”
“Then we shall improvise. Where are Tristan's rooms?”
Chelsea led the way to the top of the stairs and down
the hallway until they reached the last door on the left. Kristen
followed her in and looked around. It was most fashionable
and could have been the room of any English gentleman's.
Well, not that she would know, of course, but the room was
elegant enough for her to assume. She spotted the trunk at
the foot of the bed and marched over to it, determined to help
Chelsea any way she could.
After rifling through the clothes inside, she pulled out
the smallest she could find, which weren't very small at all.
“These are probably still too big, but we can roll and
tuck where we need to so that they suit our needs.”
“Alright.” Chelsea took the clothes and walked behind
the partition to change.
Kristen pursed her lips in thought. “Do you think Tristan
will have a fit about us using his clothes?” She asked
curiously.
“I think he will have a fit for you teaching me, but I do
not care. As long as I can fight him when he takes me to his
bed again “
“Again?!” Kristen gasped. “You didn't tell me that he
had taken you.”
“Did you think he had not?” She asked, indifferent to
Kristen's shock.
“No, but it puts a different light on the subject when you
actually say it.”
“You English have a funny way of looking at things.
What difference does it make whether you merely thought it or
I confirmed it? The results are still the same.”
“True.” Kristen conceded.
Chelsea walked out from behind the partition and
spread her arms to show Kristen her work. The clothes looked
as though they had swallowed her whole, but she had done
her best to tuck them in as well as she could. Kristen looked
over Chelsea's handy work and was struck by how incredibly
beautiful she was, even in a pirate's borrowed clothes. Like
the girl who had answered the door, Chelsea looked exotic.
She was richly tanned with dark hair and eyes. She had a pert
little nose that turned up at the end just enough to be
endearing. And, she had dimples in both cheeks so that when
she smiled, she seemed genuinely happy. Kristen liked her
immediately, and if not for Derrick, she would have torn
Tristan apart for hurting her.
“It is ridiculous looking, no?” Chelsea switched to
Spanish.
“Yes, it is rather comical.” Kristen replied, also in
Spanish.
Chelsea laughed. “Shall we go outside or do you want
to train in here?”
“Let's see. Probably outside as there will be more
room.”
“Si. I know a spot by the pond that I like to visit when I
wish to be alone with my thoughts. I don't believe we'll be
disturbed there.”
Kristen nodded and motioned for Chelsea to lead the
way. They left the house and went to the pond to begin their
training. The closer they got to the pond, the more excited
Chelsea became. And, she was especially grateful to Kristen
for being willing to stand up for her, and to teach her. Under
different circumstances, she could see being friends with
Kristen. She hoped that whatever came of this situation, she
might meet Kristen again, but for now she was content to learn
as much as she could. And so began her training.
Chapter 28

Derrick walked into Tristan's study and shut the door
behind him. Tristan was standing near the fireplace, a brandy
in his hand, and Derrick waited as his brother downed the
drink in frustration. After several moments, Tristan finally
looked up and gestured toward the brandy table. Derrick
sauntered over and poured himself a drink.

"Dare I ask what the hell that was all about?" Tristan
asked dryly.
Derrick knew his brother's frustration wasn't really with
him, and he could sympathize because he knew exactly what
Tristan's problem was. He returned his attention to his glass
and swirled the amber liquid around.
"Kristen will be my wife and I won't allow any harm to
come to her."
Tristan had been in the process of taking a drink. With
Derrick's declaration, he fairly choked. He looked at Derrick in
surprise, opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again, and
shook his head. Derrick would have laughed if he didn't think it
would have caused a fight. Normally he would be willing to
oblige his brother in their favorite past time, but just now he
had much that needed to be discussed.
"I'm at a loss for words." Tristan finally said.
"Well, that's certainly a first."
"Are you serious?"
"Very. You could say that she has taken me by
surprise."
"One doesn't marry a surprise, Derrick. Particularly men
of our ilk."
"Perhaps, but I wish to marry her nonetheless."
Tristan sighed. He could see why his brother would
wish to marry the gel. She was rather comely, and she was
feisty to be sure. But, Tristan wasn't fond of her quick temper
and ability to back it up. A woman in a pique could be
charmed when she didn't have teeth, but Kristen, well let's just
say Tristan was glad it was Derrick's problem and not his.
Now, Chelsea. That was a whole other problem.
"I can't have her gainsaying me or throwing me on my
arse in front of my men. You know as well as I what
the consequences of that can be.” Tristan said.
“I'll speak to her.” Derrick did indeed understand where
his brother was coming from, and he was beginning to think
he shouldn't have brought Kristen at all.
“Good. Now, where the devil did she learn to fight like
that? And her language! You would think she was born in a
tavern, but clearly she is a lady. Can't credit that, indeed I
can't.” Tristan brooded over his drink.
“All she ever says is that her mother taught her. I
haven't gotten much more from her on the subject...yet.”
“Well, she certainly gains notice with her bold ways.
How did you come to possess her?”
“Interesting story, that. She sort of fell into my lap.”
Derrick grinned, remembering his first several meetings with
the woman.
“How so?”
"I first ran into her down by the docks. I'd been boxing,
and some locals didn't care for the fact that I won."
"Showing off again?"
"Exercising."
Tristan snorted his disbelief, but took a drink and
motioned for Derrick to continue. Derrick scowled.
"Anyway, Jack and I were in a bit of a pickle, and she
helped us out. She makes for an interesting distraction."
"I see. And, what was she doing there?"
"Looking for me, it seems."
Tristan lifted his brow, waiting for the rest of the story.
Derrick was inclined to keep him in suspense, not entirely sure
how the next bit of the story would be taken.
"Well, out with it dear boy!" Tristan grouched as he
walked over to the closest empty seat.
Derrick chuckled and followed suit, taking the seat
opposite Tristan.
"It seems our dear brother has betrothed me to the
young lady, though after I told her no when she sought me
out, it's been damn hard to change her mind."
Tristan looked at Derrick as though he were mad. Scott
was a lot of things, but he had never put them in a position
which required marriage. Kicking Tristan out of the family, well
that was something he deserved, but deliberately putting
Derrick on the marriage mart was taking Scott's high-handed
position a bit too far. Tristan was positively livid, and he didn't
understand why Derrick had brought the instrument of his
misfortune with him to the island.
"You're joking." Tristan said dryly, hoping this was
some sort of elaborate jest.
"'Fraid not. Got the documents right here." Derrick
pulled the marriage contract out of his jacket pocket and
tossed them to Tristan.
Tristan glanced through them and wished he didn't
occupy a tropical island and the fireplace wasn't just for show.
He would burn those documents to ash and not think twice
about it. Tristan admitted that he and his brother often saw
things very differently, but he wasn't at all sure what had
gotten into Derrick to make him go along with this harebrained
idea.
"Why haven't you burned these?" Tristan asked.
"Because I don't want to."
"I'll do it for you, then." Tristan stood up so fast that he
dropped his glass of brandy.
Derrick rolled his eyes at his brother's enthusiasm. He
should have known that Tristan wouldn't understand this.
"You'll do nothing of the sort. Give them back, if you
please."
"I don't please. What the devil has gotten into you?"
Derrick furrowed his brow and wondered what the devil
had gotten into Tristan. It wasn't like him to be so opposed to
something Derrick wanted.
"I could ask you the same thing, Tristan."
Tristan sighed and tossed the papers back to Derrick,
then bent over to pick up his glass. He didn't bother to wipe up
the spilled drink; instead he walked over to his table and
poured another glass. Derrick watched as Tristan downed it,
then poured another before he walked back to his seat.
"Continue." Tristan said absently.
“She was hiding in one of the caves I use for my
activities, the ones we used to play in as children. As I recall,
she was running away from home, though, at the time, I
thought she was meeting a lover. I decided to make her my
mistress, but that arrangement doesn't seem permanent
enough for me now.”
Tristan lifted a brow in mock horror. “Have I missed
something?“
“No.” Derrick took a drink.
“Then what the bloody hell are you thinking?”
“She didn't care about Charlie.”
Both of Tristan's brows shot up his forehead. He looked
at Derrick for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts. His
brother, God love him, was an idiot.
“You mean to tell me the only reason you've not
married before now was because of Charlie?”
“Certainly not. I had other reasons, but also, I've never
had the urge. No one has caught my fancy the way Kristen
has.”
Tristan took a deep breath and looked at his brother
thoughtfully. He supposed he was being a bit harsh on him,
but if Derrick settled down, Tristan would never see him.
Derrick was the last tie Tristan had to his family and Scott was
deliberately driving a wedge between them. Of course,
Tristan's grousing certainly didn't help the situation. He
decided that while he didn't care for this new development, he
should give Derrick the benefit of the doubt.
"You're falling for her." Tristan said.
“Bite your tongue. I admit she is intriguing and I wish for
her to be near; however, I'm not “falling” for her.” Derrick said
stiffly. He wasn't ready to admit that maybe he was just a little
bit in love with her.
Tristan snorted. “If you say so, brother. But, I see no
reason why you should worry over your other reasons. Seems
to me you've already won the lady.”
Derrick scowled. “You'd think so wouldn't you? But no,
she has refused me.”
The glass that was midway to Tristan's mouth stopped.
"I beg your pardon?"
"She said no."
"Yes, I heard that. Have you completely taken leave of
your senses? You have a marriage contract, Derrick. Her
answer is a moot point."
Derrick shrugged. "Her answer is important to me."
"Bloody women! They cause the most atrocious
behavior in men. Even the most sensible, logical man can
become a blathering idiot when a woman is involved."
"You know, you're in an awfully chipper mood there,
dear brother. Having lady troubles of your own?" Derrick
teased.
Tristan scowled. He knew Derrick was only teasing, but
the lad had no idea just how close to the mark he was with
that jibe. He was of a mind to push Derrick just so he would be
inclined to a fight. It would serve Tristan right to get some
sense knocked into him, and Derrick was the only one to do it.
A bloody pirate...in love! But, he would not be telling his
brother that bit of nonsense.
“So, is Kristen the only reason you stopped by?” Tristan
asked curtly.
“I hadn't planned to stop by at all to be honest, but Jack
seemed to think I needed some sense beat into me. My men
are at the tavern, by the by.”
"Seems you could have sent a letter with this bit of
news, Derrick." Tristan swiped his glass and stood to go stand
by the window.
Derrick frowned. "Yes, I could have. But, there's a little
more to the story, and something I was hoping you might be
able to help me with."
"I can hardly stand the suspense." Tristan said sourly.
"Kristen and I can leave if we're that big an
inconvenience."
Tristan grimaced at his reflection in the mirror but didn't
turn around. "It's your call, brother."
"What the devil is the matter with you?!" Derrick asked,
loudly.
It wasn't like Tristan to be so distant, and Derrick got
the impression that it was more than Kristen or Chelsea that
was weighing on him.
"Nothing."
"Horse shit."
Tristan turned and furrowed his brow at his brother's
foul language. They were gentlemen, and didn't speak that
way, though Tristan supposed he was more pirate than
gentleman these days. He turned back to the window. He
heard Derrick stand up from his chair and set the empty
brandy glass down.
"Very well, I'll leave. But, whatever this is needs to find
a resolution, Tristan. When I do get Kristen to agree to marry
me, I'll damn well expect you there."
Derrick turned for the door.
"Wait." Tristan said as he leaned his forehead against
the window. "Sit down."
Derrick sat down and waited as Tristan wrestled with
whatever it was he needed to say.
"Has Scott ever explained why he kicked me out of the
family?"
"Yes. He said that you were detrimental to the family
name with all your scandals."
Tristan laughed and shook his head. "And you believed
that?"
"Well, you didn't deny it. We all thought it was rather
ridiculous given Charlie's preferences. Why do you ask?"
"Because, you need to know the truth."
Derrick sat forward, his features schooled into a grave
mask. Tristan never wanted to disappoint Derrick. Of all the
people in the world, Tristan had always promised to watch out
for his younger brother. The two had been inseparable in their
youth, and Tristan was afraid he would lose his entire family.
The knowledge had been weighing heavily on his mind, and
honestly that was the only excuse he had for his recent
behavior. But, Tristan was losing himself and he needed
something, though he wasn't sure what. Absolution, perhaps.
Tristan cleared his throat. He had faced many foes as a
pirate, but he couldn't remember feeling more nervous. "Do
you remember when the rumors first started about Charlie?"
"Yes."
"That one guy, the one who said he and Charlie
had...that is, they...you know?"
"Yes."
"Scott wanted to buy him off, but Charlie insisted that
he had never touched the guy."
"Right. But, Scott didn't believe him."
"Well, I did."
"Ok, so did I. What's your point?"
"Scott means well, but sometimes I think he sets the
family aside for the sake of his responsibilities. He wasn't
interested in setting the record straight, he just wanted it to go
away. He does that, he throws money at - "
"Tristan." Derrick interrupted.
Tristan swallowed the last of his brandy, not sure it was
going to help. "I went to visit him, Derrick. I only meant to
scare him."
Derrick exhaled slowly, an unpleasant feeling settling in
the pit of his stomach. "You didn't."
"It was mostly an accident, I swear. We argued, I
pushed him. I only meant for him to confess that he made the
whole story up. But, then he fell down the stairs and broke his
neck."
"Tristan - "
"I sent for Charlie and Scott. I'm a lot of things, but I
didn't mean to kill him."
"Charlie knew about this, too?" Derrick asked angrily.
Tristan nodded. Derrick couldn't recall a time when
Tristan looked so emotional. It was hard to witness, but
regardless, if it was an accident, it didn't explain why Scott had
banished him.
"I don't understand, Tristan. If it was an accident, why
did Scott banish you?"
"Because he doesn't believe it was an accident. I
almost can't blame him. I'm not you; I don't have the idealistic
view of the world. I was so bored with life in London it was
making me sick. So, I started fights and ruined reputations for
my own amusement. Looking back, I'm not proud. But, Scott
and Charlie thought it best I leave for awhile."
"Wait...Charlie thought it best you leave, too?"
"They were afraid I'd become a bad influence on you."
"What? Why are you just now telling me this?"
"I was worried they were right."
"That wasn't your call to make, or theirs. I can make my
own decisions, thank you very much."
"I know."
"This is nonsense. You're coming home, end of
discussion."
Tristan snorted. "Don't rightly have a home to come to,
now do I?"
Derrick scowled. “Blister it, Tristan. You are as much a
part of the family as I am. If you would just swallow your pride
and talk to Scott, you would “
Tristan held up a hand to stop Derrick. He had no
interest in rehashing old arguments. “I didn't leave by choice,
Derrick. Scott kicked me out. Told me to find something more
indicative to my nature. I believe his exact words included
pirate in them. It was his bloody idea, so I'll not be the first to
swallow my pride, as you say.”
Derrick growled. He had been trying for five years to
get either brother to make an overture. Both were being
unduly stubborn about it, and Derrick was afraid that he would
never be able to get them to see reason. On top of that, he
just discovered Charlie was a part of it, too. And, Tristan had
killed someone innocent. A good thrashing was certainly in
order, but death? Derrick's whole world was caving in around
him and he had trouble breathing. He leaned back in the chair
and stared at his brother.
"Well, say something Derrick." Tristan said anxiously.
"Tell me about Chelsea."
Tristan fidgeted with his brandy glass before walking
back to the table to pour himself some more. "You're not going
to like the story." Tristan warned.