by Alexis Hart
Thief of Hearts
By
Alexis Hart
Echelon Embrace
Steel gray eyes sparkled in the waning light of the afternoon sun. The man sat tall in the saddle, his chestnut mare snorting with arrogant impatience .With muscles tensed in nervous anticipation, the rider recognized the horse's desire to act. It mirrored his own restlessness.
He considered how many lonely nights he’d lay in one bed or another, thinking —no, wishing—for something he feared never having. Staring down the path, he waited with a small smile, knowing that soon he would regain one of the things he had been so selfishly robbed of.
He watched as the carriage rolled down the narrow lane toward him.
The dull brown vehicle rattled over the ruts, tipping back and forth as it moved. He counted two riders outside the coach. The driver and one other.
He knew what he had to do and he looked forward to it. It might not be the most proper thing to do, but it was right. He knew that deep inside him. Didn’t he? He tried to ignore the doubts insinuating themselves into his mind. He would not even consider the fact that things might have changed.
For seven torturous years, he’d dreamed of her golden hair and her sparkling blue eyes. He remembered the first time he’d looked into her eyes. Endless pools of the purest blue he’d ever seen. His heart raced even now, as he remembered the soft glow of her cheeks when she laughed.
He had been a mere boy, but the love and desire had been there, even then. He’d known from the first, that someday he would have her.
Then her father had taken her away. He’d grieved for so long, knowing his life was over, certain no pain could ever be more intense.
It was not long after that when his mother died. The only two people he had ever loved, both taken away from him. One would be lost forever, but he held out hope for the other. He’d vowed that one day he would find her and then they would be married. He would have her for all of eternity.
As the carriage neared the clearing, he crossed himself, said a quick prayer, and set his plan in motion.
Dust flew up around him as his horse took off at a slow gallop. If all went well he would soon be with the one who had filled his dreams for so many years. His reason for living.
The carriage swayed back and forth with each revolution of the wooden -spoke wheels. Janie couldn't help but think that if they didn't stop to rest soon that she might be ill. In her entire eighteen years she had never been away from Natchez. Now that her parents were dead she didn't see any reason to stay there.
Her father had always talked of New Orleans and now she was going to find out if all the things he had told her were true.
Janie was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she didn't realize that the coach had stopped until her companion spoke.
"Oh my goodness, what do you think is happening?"
Janie looked over at the aging, gray –haired woman sitting directly across from her, twisting a lacy white handkerchief around her small bent fingers.
"I'm sure that everything is just fine, Mrs. Frigg. Maybe we just ran into some wheel trouble. It has been a terribly rough ride so far." Janie hoped for precisely that in her assumption. She had heard stories of stagecoaches being attacked by bands of Indians. Well, in some areas there were Indians. In Louisiana the offenders would more than likely be a small gathering of ruffians.
She considered for a moment how wonderfully romantic it would be if a handsome stranger came along and kidnapped her. He would gaze into her eyes and fall helplessly in love with her. Gallantly he’d sweep her up into his arms and carry her off on his horse to some exquisitely charming cottage where they would live happily ever after.
The sharp ring of a gunshot brought Janie out of her daydream. She leaned her head out of the window to get a better look.
"Are you daft, child? You shouldn't go sticking your head out of windows when people are firing guns. You are liable to get your pretty little head blown off." The woman nodded her head and clicked her tongue at Janie as if she were crazy.
"I was simply trying to get a better look at all the commotion outside." Both women started as a man’s face appeared in the frame of the window. Janie could hardly believe her eyes. He must simply be the most handsome man she had ever seen. His hair, black as coal, matched the intensity of his dark as night eyes.
He looked just as she’d always imagined he would be. His hair curled around the squared edges of his darkly tanned face as if framing a masterpiece. His eyes were like small chips of coal.
Janie found it impossible to tear her gaze away from him.
"Good day to you, fair ladies. You seem to have run into a spot of trouble."
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Janie leaned forward in her seat and looked the man directly in the eyes. She wondered to herself if she should be afraid. It did not take her long to decide that she was in no immediate danger.
"Well it seems to me that you are being robbed. Is that clear enough for you?"
"You cannot be serious!" Janie rolled her eyes back and laughed. Mrs.Frigg’s expression of utter shock indicated at this point quite certainly that the girl had taken leave of all her senses.
"You may start by handing me all of your jewels and coins."
Janie sat back and folded her arms across her chest. She watched the older woman across from her fumbling with her purse strings.
"I will do no such thing. I have to get all the way to New Orleans and I won't do it penniless."
"Spare me the dramatics, Miss, I am not the least bit interested in your personal plight. Your goods please."
Janie remained seated. She had no intentions of giving her money to anyone, especially him.
"I don't think you understand what I am saying to you. Give me everything!" The man’s brows drew together, obviously losing patience as was Janie. Both of them turned their attention to Mrs. Frigg when she started to screech.
"Dear merciful God, what has possessed you to put in such a ghastly predicament? I am a good and faithful servant to you and yet you subject me to this." The older woman looked over to where Janie sat with her arms still crossed over her chest and literally screamed at her. "Give the man what he wants before he kills us all! I cannot believe that you would put your own possessions before the welfare of a helpless old woman."
"I don't know what you people are thinking, but I refuse to be stranded out in the middle of nowhere with no money."
The man jumped off of his horse and moved to stand next to the coach.
"Could you please step down from the carriage?" The man stared directly at Janie. He could tell by the expression on her face that she was not going to be cooperative.
"I think not. I'm no t afraid of you."
Before either of them could react Mrs. Frigg leaned across the carriage and grabbed Janie by the arm. Pushing the door open with her foot she flung Janie out of the opening.
The man stood above Janie, his shoulders shaking violently. She could not believe that he was just standing there laughing. She had never seen anyone’s face—or what she could see of it—turn that red before.
"So I see that you have managed to make a true and loyal friend on your journey." The man broke into another fit of laughter. Give me your hand and I'll help you up."
Janie ignored his outstretched hand and stood up on her own. She cast him a sidelong look as she brushed the dust from her skirts.
"Wouldn't it have been easier to just give me your coins? I think that it would have been far less embarrassing."
The only thing that you will get from me is a kick in the shin." Janie raised her foot to give him just that. Just before her leather booted foot made contact the man stepped back. Janie fell into a small patch of purple wild flowers that
lined the edge of the road.
Janie waited for him to help her up. Instead he turned and walked around to the front of the carriage. Janie could see him talking to the driver. If I could only hear what they were saying. Janie was shocked when the driver snapped the reigns and the carriage rolled away.
"My God, wait! You can't leave me alone out here with this lunatic." Janie struggled to untangle herself from all of the taffeta wrapped around her legs.
It only frustrated her more and her anger exploded. “How can you abandon me out here, alone with this man? I paid you good money to take me to New Orleans, you shiftless, no –good son of a biscuit! Come back here!”
When the driver paid her no heed, a string of unladylike curses thundered from her mouth as she managed to get to her feet.
"Don't go getting yourself into a dither. I will see to it that you get where you are going.
* * *
Janie glared at the bandanna -covered face. Again the memory of something vaguely familiar tickled the back of her mind. There was something familiar about this man. The eyes. That was it. But there were more gray eyes in the world —too many, she had discovered. Every time she thought she had found her lost love, he slipped away with crushing disappointment.
If only he would take off that dratted mask!
He caught her staring at him but she didn’t blush or lower her eyes. Served him right, after all he’d done to her!
Making a real effort to sound confident, she demanded, “So, what exactly are you going to do with me?” She prayed that the stranger couldn’t detect the quiver in her voice when suddenly something occurred to her. This was almost like a recurring dream she’d had ever since her father had taken her away. A wonderful man always rode up to her on a beautiful horse, took her from her carriage, and started to whisk her away.
Was this stranger going to whisk her away? Not for long, apparently, since he’d said he would take her to New Orleans.
A lump formed in her throat and made her more aware of the situation. The difference between what was happening now and what had always happened in her dreams made her sad, and a little frightened.
In her dreams the bandit had been an old love—Adrien—who whisked her away, and they had lived happily ever after. The problem was, this masked bandit was real, with a gun, and she had no idea where Adrien was.
Ah, hell, he thought. A heavy sadness shone in her eyes he felt it wrap around his heart and squeeze. If only he k new more about her, he could tell her who he was. Everything would be fine then. He was sure she would understand why he had to do this, even if she didn’t want him to. And he had to do this. Wanted to do this. Needed to do this. A tingling sensation swept through his entire body at the thought of holding her. “I wish I could make you believe that you are safe with me.” He reached out to push a strand of hair away from her cheek. He stepped back when she slapped his hand away. Fool! He chastised himself for his insensitivity. Speaking out of anger, more at himself than her, he ordered her onto the horse. “Get up there. We’re leaving.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!”
He had to give her credit. She had spunk. Most people jumped to do his bidding when he used that tone. “Would you rather stay out here alone? The snakes would be glad of the company.” He smiled when she glanced around nervously.
Taking hold of the reins, he pulled himself up into the saddle. He’d chosen this horse specifically. It was one of his strongest and would have no trouble making the journey carrying two people. “Give me your hand. We need to make up some time. I hadn’t planned this delay.”
“You mean you planned this?”
He saw the confusion in her expression. Confused, but beautiful. It was impossible not to be awed. Staring down at her flawless skin, he longed to touch her, to feel the warmth of her lips against his own.
Shifting slightly in his saddle he leaned down to grab her hand. He was stunned by the shock of passion that shot through him at the mere touch. The expression on her face told him she had felt it too.
Once she was settled in front of him, he nudged the horse forward. “In time you’ll know why this is happening. It is important we reach our destination first.”
* * *
Heat surrounded them as they rode. Janie had never felt so alive. Every nerve had come to life when he’d taken her hand; it was a wondrous feeling. Sensing his nervousness, she tried to stay quiet, but couldn’t manage it for very long. “Why me? I mean, why did you choose me?” Janie twisted herself enough so she could see his eyes.
She tried to find the answer in their depths, but all she saw was her own reflection. “I am asking you a question, why don’t you answer me?”
“You’ll know when the time is right.” She tensed against him and he sighed. “We’re almost there.”
Janie wondered where they were. She’d paid little attention to the journey so far. She’d been too preoccupied with the feel of his well muscled arms around her. Each continuing second of physical contact sent her mind scurrying in too many other directions. When she did look around her, she noticed how lush everything looked.
Flowers bloomed in a wide array of colors. Massive trees towered above their heads. Birds flew from limb to limb, searching for food. Perhaps to feed their young. Everything looked so majestic. Janie tried to remember if she had ever seen anything so magnificent. Never, she decided.
Her breath caught in her chest as her captor’s arms tightened around her. Realizing the horse had stopped, she turned to look at the man. His face hovered so close to hers that she thought he was going to kiss her, but he couldn’t have. He still wore the damnable bandanna over the lower portion of his face. Carefully, she reached up to pull it off, but he stopped her before she could succeed. “Why won’t you let me see your face? Don’t I have that right?”
Something changed in his eyes and Janie thought he looked sad. Perhaps he had been in some horrible accident and had been left permanently scarred. He must have jagged flesh under the cloth and lived with the knowledge that no one would ever be able to love such a truly horrible looking creature. That was it, she decided.
Suddenly, she felt herself being lowered to the ground. He jumped down next to her and led her to a patch of soft grass. When he motioned for her to sit down, she did. Without saying anything she accepted the food he pulled from his saddlebags.
Slowly, she ate the cheese and a slice of bread, the entire time watching him pace in front of her.
The sound of his voice startled her, when he finally spoke. “I need to tell you a story.”
He was not surprised when she began yelling at him.
Are you crazy? You abducted me and brought me here just to tell me a story? Why?”
If you’ll stop yelling long enough I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Then you’ll understand.”
She sucked in a deep cleansing breath and offered her permission. “Go on.”
The intensity of her scrutiny made him uneasy, but he managed to begin. “When I was a young boy I was sent to visit my uncle. While I was there I met a young girl. She was much younger than I, but I knew from the moment I saw her, that she was the one I would love always.
“We spent a short time together, laughing and becoming friends,” he paused, “I loved her. I knew that. I also was aware of the fact we were both too young. When it came time for me to leave, I went to tell her good -bye, and to promise her I would come back for her.”
Janie’s breath caught and she feared she might fade away into the heavens. She tried to keep her breathing normal, but her emotions refused to cooperate.
The beating of her heart, painfully intense, roared in her ears as she watched him. She suddenly remembered once telling someone of her dream to be carried off on a beautiful horse by a man who would love and cherish her for all of eternity. Whoever it was had barely listened and called her silly for dreaming something that could never happen. But now she listened to this man and she knew she had to listen carefully.
He gulped and turned away from her. “I never got to tell her how I really felt. Her father had sent her away. I was told never to try to see her again.”
As she saw his hand reach up to remove the bright blue fabric from his face, Janie held her breath and leaned forward. Though his back was to her, she knew in her heart who it was there, in front of her.
Slowly, she stood and moved to stand behind him.
* * *
Adrien’s knees went weak as her hand came to rest on his shoulder. Softly, she caressed the tension from his muscles. In his entire life he had never felt so alive. Desire swept over him as she pressed her body against the length of his. Unable to move, he merely absorbed the power that she had over him. Need soon overtook desire and he turned to face her.
He watched as tears trailed slowly down her cheeks. When he looked into her eyes, he saw love. Something he’d only dreamed of.
The feel of her hand on his cheek sent his mind reeling. Each nerve in his body came alive as her fingers slowly traced the features of his face.
He closed his eyes and let the feelings take over.
Janie was so filled with emotion, she thought she might die.
Everything seemed so clear to her. It had been so long ago. Even though she’d never forgotten Adrien, she also never imagined he would come back for her. Her father had lied to them both. Adrien believed she had been sent away, when in reality, she had never been away from home.
The lies had been more painful for her. After all, her father had told her that Adrien had gone home to marry someone else —something about a business arrangement.
“Did you marry?” Janie asked. She was unsure why, but she had to know.
He whirled to face her, “Never! I never even loved anyone after I saw you. I’ve spent all these years waiting for this day. I’ve worked for so long. I couldn’t come to you with nothing. I had to prove to your father that I was worthy of you. My father has given me a share of his business and I’m now able to offer you a good life.”
Janie saw the emotion in his eyes and felt her heart bursting with pride. All this time he’d been working so he could be worthy of her father’s expectations, when all he had to do was love her.
