Destiny of the Heart (Viking Destiny) (10 page)

When Kristen reached the townhome, Mel was in a
hysterical fit. She clutched Kristen to her so tight that Kristen
actually began to black out. It took Chester and Derrick to pry
her loose from Kristen.

"Don't you ever do that to me again, do you understand
me?" Mel fairly screeched.
"I'm fine, Mel. Nothing to worry about."
"Bollocks and you know it!" Mel shouted, and then she
rounded on Derrick. "And as for you, what were you thinking,
walking with her by yourselves. You may have damaged her
reputation."
Derrick flushed. In truth, he hadn't even thought of that.
He had been more concerned with her safety. But, Kristen
wasn't concerned about it, so that eased his mind a little.
"Mel, don't be angry with him. He helped me out a great
deal when I sent you and the driver away. Where is he, by the
way? I'd like to thank him."
"I dismissed him, of course. How dare he leave you
there while taking only me."
Kristen frowned. "Then you will just have to rehire him. I
threatened his life if he didn't take you and go, Mel. I'll not
have him get into trouble on my behalf."
Mel sighed. She realized she was being quite irrational,
but she would positively die if something happened to Kristen,
and she had been sitting there for hours worried sick about
her. She waved her hand at Chester.
"Go find him before he gets too far away and tell him to
come back, that Lady Kristen wishes to see him."
Chester bowed and left to do as he was told. Mel
grabbed Kristen's hands.
"Are you alright, love?"
"Yes, of course." Kristen answered. "I could use a cup
of tea, though."
"Oh, good heavens, where are my manners? Derrick,
would you care to join us?"
He smiled graciously. "I'm afraid I have some matters to
attend to, but may I come by later to check on you both?"
Kristen nodded and smiled slightly. She liked the
gentlemanly side of Derrick and hoped it wasn't a game. Her
guard was still up, but she thought it best to be polite for now.
She needed to make a good impression on society, and he
could certainly ruin her chances for a match if he were of a
mind to do so.
Derrick bowed and took his leave of the ladies, and
they made their way to the parlor for tea. As they sat down,
Mel pounced on her.
"I want every last detail."
Kristen smiled and leaned back in the chair. While they
waited for their tea, she told Mel everything that happened.
She left out the part about Guy having Derrick watch over Mel
as she didn't know how to take that. Was Guy worried about
her safety, or was he worried she might be taking lovers? Until
she had a chance to ask Derrick about it, she thought it best
not to say anything to Mel.
"Well, I certainly think he's entertaining the notion of
reconsidering your contract, love." Mel pointed out with some
happiness.
"Hardly. I think it's just a game for him."
"Why are you so cynical where he is concerned?"
"What reason do I have not to be?" Kristen challenged.
Mel conceded for the time being, but only because she
knew Kristen was quite tired. But, there was the small matter
of putting her out to society.
"We received an invitation to the Lauer's ball. I know
you wanted to wait until the start of next week, but this is one
of the most prestigious balls of the season. We should go."
Kristen sighed softly. "When is it?"
"Tomorrow night."
Mrs. Sterling knocked on the door and then entered
with the tea. She set it on the table and then quietly left.
Kristen frowned, noticing the housekeeper's quietness, which
was unusual for her. Kristen looked at Mel.
"Just how bad of a mood have you been in since you
got home?"
Mel blushed as she poured the tea. "It's not my fault.
My best friend had sent me off so that she could face a
bowman in the woods. A man, whom I'd like to remind you,
killed one of my footmen. I was a tad upset when I got home."
Kristen grinned. "Well, I don't think I've ever seen Mrs.
Sterling look so subservient."
Mel laughed. "I don't think any of them knew what to do
with me before you arrived. I completely railed at the driver. I'll
be handing out some much warranted apologies today it
seems."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that. Perhaps it's best
if I - "
"Finish that sentence and I'll pour the entire contents of
the teapot over your head. Now, we've had this discussion
before. You're staying here, and I'm helping you."
Mel looked so serious that Kristen had to laugh. She
laughed until her stomach began hurting and then she
laughed some more. It was so infectious that even Mel joined
in, her tension at the whole situation subsiding now that
Kristen was home and safe.

***
When Derrick got home, his first thought was to
dispatch some men to find out who it was that wanted Kristen

dead. She may not be willing to tell him anything, but he had
always found money was an excellent motivator for most
people to loosen their tongues. When he walked in the door,
though, he was given some new that effectively derailed him.

Derrick furrowed his brow in disgust. What the devil
was his mistress doing at his house, in the middle of the day.
He handed his coat and hat to Williams and frowned.

"Did she say what she wanted?"
"No sir, only that if I didn't let her in, she would make a
scene the whole of the neighborhood would be talking about.
Nasty sort of girl, sir."
"She serves her purpose, Williams."
"Yes, sir."
The butler bowed and took his leave. Williams had
been with Derrick the longest out of the servants in the
household. He was aware of the family secret that kept
Derrick a confirmed bachelor, but he had always believed that
Derrick could do better than Alice. There was something about
that woman that made Williams sick to his stomach. But, it
was Derrick's life to live, and Williams was just a servant.
Derrick headed straight for the study, hoping to
dispense with whatever Alice required rather quickly. He
opened the door and found her sitting behind his desk reading
his papers. He slammed the door shut behind him and
crossed his arms as leaned back against it, giving Alice his
most intimidating glare. He didn't like that she had shown up,
and he didn't like her going through his papers.
"Is there something I can help you with, my dear?"
Alice looked up, undaunted. "Yes. For starters, you can
explain this marriage contract, and when you were planning
on telling me about it."
Alice tossed the contract on the desk and leaned back
in Derrick's chair. She regarded him coolly with a frosty glare
of her own. How dare he stand her up, and then go and get
himself engaged? It was unthinkable, and she wouldn't stand
for it. She couldn't stand for it. Without Derrick, there was no
reason to stay and she would have to go back home.
"I don't see how that concerns you." He replied simply,
shrugging his shoulders.
His entire demeanor about the situation infuriated her,
but she would not lose her temper. She had learned long ago
that losing your temper with Derrick was a mistake. But, the
man could make a saint lose patience, that's for sure.
"Derrick, if marriage is what you seek, I could assist you
in that manner." She offered helpfully.
"I don't think so." He shoved off the wall and walked to
the brandy table.
Alice watched as he poured himself a generous glass
of the liquid that so often matched his eyes. "Do you love
her?" She asked softly.
Derrick winced as he looked at her. "Don't be absurd."
"Then why marry her?"
"I'm not." Derrick took a drink.
"Then what's this contract about?"
"It's really not your concern, now is it? I've been patient
enough, having come in to find you snooping around my
things, but I'm fast losing my patience with you. Why are you
here, in the middle of the day, without my invitation?"
Alice sighed. She had hoped they were growing closer,
but she was beginning to see that Derrick still only saw her as
a mistress. The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth, and the
fact that the person he was betrothed to was her target only
made her angrier. She stood up and faced him.
"You didn't show up last night - "
"I'm not obligated to show up, Alice. Our arrangement is
such that I show up when I have need of you. Obviously I
didn't have need of you last night." He gave her a cursory look
before he returned his attention to the brandy in his hands.
Alice stiffened. She knew he could be cruel. Most men
could, but she had hoped Derrick was different. He could be
gentle and kind when he was of a mind, but men treated
women like her different than the innocents of their class. She
was expendable to him. She bit down on the inside of her
cheek to keep from yelling at him. He wanted to use her and
then leave her high and dry when it was convenient for him,
did he? Well, she'd be damned if she would allow that to
happen. She would make his life a living hell first.
"I see. Well, then I should take my leave."
"It would be best if you started to seek other
arrangements for yourself, Alice. I'm becoming quite bored
with ours."
She had been in the process of walking to the door, but
stopped when he made that announcement. She looked at
him, but he looked more bored than interested in what she
had to say. If only he knew that she could rip out his throat
right now. If only he knew how close she was to doing so. But,
she was trained better than that. She had more control over
her actions and knew that he was deliberately pushing her
buttons. So, instead of responding at all, she simply left. But,
Derrick Shane hadn't heard the last of her.
Derrick watched her over the rim of his brandy glass.
He had been in the smuggling business long enough to know
when someone was snooping. Alice may think she's smart,
but he knew she wasn't who she said she was. That never
mattered before now because she functioned in one capacity
only, but he could read her better than she thought. Somehow,
Kristen had just become her number one target. He had no
doubt the woman would make things very difficult for him
where Kristen was concerned.
But, the very idea that he should marry her was
ridiculous. He had been perfectly clear on the terms of their
arrangement, and he wasn't about to go back on that now. If
things were different, he might consider marrying Kristen. But,
between Charlie and Tristan, Derrick was sure Kristen would
turn away in disgust, unable to tolerate their secret. He didn't
think he could handle that, and it bothered him that he cared.
He drained his glass and filled it again.
Chapter 11

The following day, Kristen was in a melancholy mood.
What she needed was a few days respite somewhere away
from her life, but she knew that wasn't possible, so she
stopped thinking about it before it depressed her even further.
That night was to be her first appearance to the ton, and she
was understandably nervous. Mel had been so excited that
she had received an invitation to the Laurer's ball. She said
that anyone who was anyone would be at this ball, and it
would be the single most influential event of the season. They
simply had to go.

Kristen thought Mel was rather poetic about it, but
couldn't dredge up much interest herself. It wasn't even the
need to find a husband with all due haste that bothered her, it
was that she simply didn't care for the social scene, and she
never had. Kristen much preferred the quiet of the country, or
an adventure around the world. She couldn't help feeling
rather cooped up in London society, feeling as if there was
more to life than this boring tirade of balls and social niceties.
But, truth be told, she had Derrick Shane on her mind entirely
too much since they had met. She sighed to herself again,
thinking she ought not to like him. The bounder had suggested
she be his mistress, for crying out loud. The very thought both
enraged and delighted her, which absolutely made no sense.

And, then there was the rescue. Well, it wasn't truly a
rescue since she could have handled the situation herself.
But, he had apologized for the mistress comment, though he
still hadn't offered to marry her. He did want to help, though,
which utterly baffled her. And, what did it mean that he "liked"
her? Was that some sort of polite brush off? Was she not
worthy of marriage? And, why should there by anything the
matter with her? Perhaps the issue was entirely him. Yes, that
seemed far more likely as far as she was concerned.

Oh, but he was everything she wanted and knew she
shouldn't. He was a cad and a rake, to be sure. Nothing but
misery awaited her down that road, at least that's what her
mother used to say. But, he was devilishly handsome with
those eyes the way they lit up from within. She had been sure
it was the firelight playing tricks on her that night in the cave,
but she decided that his eyes must be that glowing amber
color whenever he was in an extreme mood. And they had
haunted her dreams every night since she'd seen them.
Deciding she needed to relax and take her mind off all things
Derrick Shane or marriage related, Kristen went for a stroll
through Mel's garden.

But, it was no good. She had gotten no further than the
rose bushes and thoughts of Derrick assaulted her again. She
caught herself wondering what it would be like to take an
evening stroll with Derrick in just such a place. And, as if by
thinking of him she made him appear before her, he was
suddenly there. She stopped abruptly and took in the sight of
him. Even her memory, clear as she'd thought it was from the
day before, didn't do him justice.

"Derrick, you startled me."
“Really? I didn't think a woman so skilled in combat
could be startled.” He arched one of his finely shaped brows in
mocking question.
Kristen chose to ignore his tone for he certainly cut a
dashing figure, one that wreaked havoc with her senses. His
clothes looked as if they were made for no one but him. His
shoulders filled in nicely to his black coat and the cravat he
wore loosely around his neck revealed the strong cords there.
She allowed her gaze to travel down the length of him,
greedily taking him all in, afraid this would be the last she
would see of him. His legs molded perfectly with the black
material of his breeches, and those were tucked into shining
black Hessian boots. Kristen decided that black suited him
perfectly; it gave him an almost sinister look, but a devilishly
handsome one nonetheless. When she had looked her fill, her
eyes returned to his and she immediately blushed for she'd
just been unforgivably rude.
“Forgive me, I seemed to have taken leave of my
senses, a circumstance that happens a great deal when you're
around.”
Derrick wanted to laugh, for she was quite funny in her
honesty. She was so different from the other ladies of his
acquaintance. Detached and calm, even aloof when the need
arose. But, underneath that calm was a storm as violent as
any the sea could produce. Just watching her assess him
caused his libido to rise, and he had to breathe deeply to keep
from attacking her there in the garden. He needed to keep his
wits about him if he was to get through this meeting with her.
So, rake that he was, he began to look her over with the same
casual perusal she had given him.
She wore a light blue day dress with a low neckline,
though it was still modest by the ton's standards. It seemed to
fit her quite snugly, particularly around the breasts, which he
let his eyes linger on for a moment more than was proper, and
then it flared slightly at her hips and fell in loose folds to her
toes. And while he couldn't see her legs just now, he
remembered how shapely they had been when she had
tucked her dress into her belt. He smiled wickedly, a gesture
that gave Kristen the distinct impression he was undressing
her with those amber eyes. But, he was most pleased to see
that the bruises he was sure she received in the cave had
cleared up. He had been certain that if he even glimpsed a
mark on her beautiful skin, he might have killed Peevely and
not thought twice about it.
Other sensations assaulted Kristen as she stood there,
watching him as he looked her over. Her body tingled
everywhere his eyes strayed. She was losing sense of herself
with him so near, his heady male scent lingering in her nostrils
with each inhale. She breathed deeply, desperately trying to
commit his smell to her memory.
“My lord, now you're staring.”
“I know.” He grinned at her.
Kristen's heart skipped a beat. He made her
feel...strange, like nothing she had ever felt before. Since she
wasn't entirely sure she liked his answer she tried again.
"I didn't get a chance to apologize for punching you
yesterday. I'm glad there wasn't any permanent damage."
Derrick laughed huskily. "No, nothing permanent,
though my nose is still quite tender to the touch." He teased
her, watching her tongue dart out to wet her lips as she
blushed.
"Well, as I said, I apologize."
"Apology accepted."
He continued to stare at her, not speaking, just
watching her. It was making Kristen uncomfortable. She didn't
know what to say or why he was there.
"Why are you here?" She blurted out.
Kristen bit back her embarrassment at the question. It
was a perfectly logical question, even if its delivery was rather
blunt. Derrick didn't seem to mind, though. He smiled, his eyes
glowing merrily.
"I told you I'd be stopping by to check on you ladies
today."
Kristen nodded. "Well, I'm fine. Perhaps you should go
check on Mel. I'm sure she would be delighted to see you."
Derrick's brows shot up at the dismissal. He took a step
closer to her, but however uncomfortable she seemed to be,
she didn't step away. He remembered her standing her ground
in the cave, too. He rather liked that she wasn't so easily
intimidated.
"Why is it you never turned me over to the authorities?"
He asked.
“Truth be told I hadn't thought of it, but now that you
mention it “
She didn't get a chance to finish her sentence as he
closed the distance between them and gathered her in his
arms so quickly she didn't know what was happening until it
was too late. He pressed his lips to hers softly, but firmly
coaxed her lips to part for him.
As soon as they did, his tongue delved into her mouth,
tasting her sweetness. He thought he might die from the bliss
right there. He had never tasted anything so sweet. So many
sensations bombarded him at once that he had trouble
focusing on what he was doing to her. He began to wonder
who was seducing whom.
Kristen's mind swam with the delicious effect his kiss
had on her. She couldn't move, even if she wanted to, she
was so drawn to him. He brought his hand up to the back of
her neck and then pulled it through her hair, knocking the pins
from her coiffure until it all cascaded down her back. He
continued to kiss her, thoroughly holding her attention. She
wasn't even sure she was breathing, but then, she wasn't sure
she needed to breathe with a kiss like that. Pure liquid heat
shot straight to her toes and she felt them curl in pleasure.
Derrick thought he would certainly lose what little
he had the minute he touched her hair. It was as soft as he
imagined and he couldn't deny himself the feel of it. He ran his
fingers through it as he continued to kiss her. His tongue
teased hers, inviting her to respond. His experience eventually
won out, and her tongue sought his in his mouth. The moment
her tongue crossed over, he gently sucked on it, not wanting
to let go and his hand came up to her breast to began a gentle
kneading. When he could feel the hard nub of her nipple
through her dress, he switched hands and went to work on the
other breast, his mouth never leaving hers.
Kristen was lost to the sensations. She experienced
emotions she never knew existed and wasn't sure what to do.
All she knew was that she wanted this, needed it in a way that
didn't make sense, but knew was pointless to deny. A small
niggle at the back of her mind said there was a reason not to
continue this madness, but for the life of her, she couldn't
remember what that reason was. Her body tingled where he
touched her, her heart was racing, and a strange warmth was
unfurling in her belly. She arched her body into his instinctively
and purred in satisfaction when she heard him groan. He
deepened the kiss and Kristen was lost in a feeling she
couldn't rationalize.
Derrick was close to losing control. He wanted to take
her now, but he knew it was too soon. But, Christ, he had
never wanted anyone as badly as he wanted her now. Still, he
put a lid on his overwhelming passions. For all of her fiery
passion, she was still an innocent and he had to keep that in
the forefront of his mind. This was a fact that would normally
mark her as off limits to Derrick, but she had branded herself
to him in those caves and he would make her his. He wanted
to feel more of her, see what other pleasures he could evoke
from her. He slid his hand down from her breasts, over her
belly to her legs, and rested his palm at the peak of her
womanhood.
Kristen moaned in pleasure, a sound that excited
Derrick all the more. She vaguely remembered there was
something she was supposed to do, but like the reason she
shouldn't be doing this, she just couldn't recall the details. Not
wanting the exquisiteness of the moment to end, she didn't
think about it. She let herself be free to enjoy each new
sensation Derrick's fingers elicited. When he pulled away from
her lips, the loss was devastating and she almost cried out.
But, then he moved his lips to her neck and the cry lodged in
her throat. She tilted her head back and gave him full access
to her neck. He found the tiny pulse at the base of her neck
and gently lapped at it before running searing kisses up her
throat and coming back to her mouth once again.
Lost in his own pleasure, Derrick pulled her dress down
just below her breasts and moved from her mouth to the tip of
one of her generous mounds. His tongue circled and lapped
until it was a hard nub, and then he turned his attention to the
other one, ensuring that each breast received a fair amount of
his focus. He suckled and blew gently, nearly driving Kristen
mad with a need she didn't understand. Again, though, he
came back to her mouth, drugging her with his kisses. Her
knees grew weak and she leaned into him, fitting him
perfectly.
Derrick groaned as his manhood stretched painfully
against his breeches and he knew he should stop before he
took her right there in the garden. This wasn't what he wanted
for her first time, though why he should care, he didn't know.
The place had never been a concern before, but it bloody well
was now. So, he reluctantly tore his lips away from hers, but
kept his hands on her body, hoping she wouldn't stop now.
“I believe we should stop, sweetheart, before we do
something you will regret.” He looked down at her and smiled.
She looked perplexed, and her frown made him want to keep
kissing her.
The heady pleasure was still clouding Kristen's mind.
She didn't want it to stop, didn't understand why he had
stopped kissing her. But, as reality came crashing in around
her muddled head, anger quickly took its place.
“You bastard! How dare you?! Do you have any idea
what you could have done? Does the word 'no' mean anything
to you? I do not welcome your attentions Derrick. You would
do well to dance attendance on someone who does.” She
yelled as she jumped away from him.
“Well, you weren't saying 'no' a moment ago, and I'd
wager a guess that you were indeed welcoming my
attentions.” He said, staring at her breasts for she hadn't
pulled her dress up to cover them and they were a wicked
temptation, bouncing around as she moved away from him.
Kristen followed his gaze and looked down at herself to
see what he was staring at and gasped. She yanked her dress
back up to cover herself and then turned her back on him.
“Oh, come now, I wasn't done looking.” He teased.
Kristen blushed a furious shade of scarlet. She couldn't
believe she had allowed this man to seduce her, knowing what
she needed to do in order to protect herself. What would have
happened if he hadn't stopped? She wasn't entirely sure she
would have stopped him.
“I think it prudent that you leave, Lord Shane.” She
said, turning back to face him. “And how the devil did you get
in anyway?” She demanded hotly.
“Well, which is it to be? Answer your question, or
leave? And by the by, I thought we'd dispensed of formalities,
Kristen. Or have you forgotten my name?”
“You know perfectly well I haven't forgotten your name,
don't be obtuse.” She glared at him and crossed her arms over
her chest defensively.
Derrick smiled. He loved the way her eyes lit up when
she was angry. “Well, my apologies then. Now, as to me
getting in here, Mel let me in. She seems to approve of us
spending time together.”
Kristen made a sound that was remarkably close to a
snort, but covered it with an incredulous sigh. “She means
well, but she's a hopeless romantic. Seems to think a rake is
the best husband to have, so long as you catch him good and
proper, you see. If the lady catches his heart, then he turns his
life around and so on. She thinks because she made one fall
in love with her, it's the same for everyone. Personally, I think
once a rake, always a rake.”
“You wound me, madam. A circumstance I'm sure
means nothing to you since you have already left me for dead
once.”
He was purposely trying to get a rise out of her, but in
this, he would be disappointed for she didn't take the bait.
“I knew you would be fine as your crew was close at
hand."
"Are you really so cavalier with all lives, or just mine?"
He teased.
Kristen arched a brow. “Well, it was certainly good of
you to call upon me, Lord Shane. I don't wish to detain you
further as I'm sure a bounder like you has many such
ladyloves to call upon.” She lifted her skirts and made to walk
around Derrick.
For some reason, her dismissal frustrated him. He
grabbed her arm to prevent her from leaving. Kristen noted
that her skin burned with need where his fingers lay, causing
that damnable unfurling in her belly again. She tried to jerk her
arm back, but Derrick's grip wouldn't allow it.
“Madam, when you're keeping me from something, you
may depend upon my telling you so.” He said softly.
“My lord, I was trying to be polite. Allow me to rectify
that and be blunt. It is time for you to take your leave.” She
returned frostily.
“Tell me why you're looking for a husband when you
can so obviously take care of yourself.” He demanded.
“It's none of your concern.”
“But I am very concerned. I must know.” He smiled.
Kristen narrowed her eyes. “Well, then I suggest you
get used to disappointment. I don't make it a habit to share my
personal life with someone I barely know. Now, good day, sir.”
She yanked her arm from his grip and walked back into
the house. Derrick grinned and followed close behind. He had
never been more aroused or stimulated by any other woman.
There was an air about Kristen that he found fascinating, and
he felt compelled to protect her and keep her safe. It was odd
because he hadn't been lying when he said she could take
care of herself, but still. The male in him was antiquated that
way. No, she wasn't like other women. Anyone else would
have been putty in his hands, and would have turned to tears
to get their way. That she refused him made him want her all
the more.
He thought it might be worth it to brave the masses of
the social whirl if for no other reason than to discomfort the
lady. He was almost certain she had been assure that he
never showed up to any of the balls thrown during the season.
Oh, he still received his invitations, every hostess in town
hoping he would attend just so they could be the on-dit for the
rest of the season, but he never attended. Until now, that was.