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Page No 1
Thief of Hearts
By
Alexis Hart
Echelon Embrace
Page No 2
Thief of Hearts
2
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and
incidents are either the product of the author's imagination
or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual
events, plac es, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is
entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2001 by Karen L. Syed
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or
reproduced in any form without permission, except as
provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. For information,
please address Echelon Press™, P.O. Box 1084, Crowley,
TX 76036.
Published by arrangement with the author.
ISBN 1-59080-062-1 (PDF)
Cover illustration Copyright © 2001 Karen L. Syed
Image by Mountain Graphic Designs (Kelly Goshcoff)
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
™
P.O. Box 1084, Crowley, TX 76036
Page No 3
Thief of Hearts
3
* * *
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 havi ng.
Staring down the path, he waited with a small
smile, knowing that soon he would regain one
of 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
Page No 4
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4
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.
Page No 5
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5
As the carriage nea red 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.
Page No 6
Thief of Hearts
6
* * *
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.
Page No 7
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7
"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 be ing
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 al ong 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 ri ng 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
littl e head blown off." The woman nodded her
head and clicked her tongue at Janie as if she
were crazy.
Page No 8
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8
"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 co uld 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 the 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
Page No 9
Thief of Hearts
9
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 und erstand 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
Page No 10
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10
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 wan ts 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
Page No 11
Thief of Hearts
11
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
Page No 12
Thief of Hearts
12
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
Page No 13
Thief of Hearts
13
* * *
Janie glared at the bandanna -covered face.
Again the memory of so mething 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
Page No 14
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14
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 her dreams made her sad, and
a little frightened.
In her dreams the bandit had been an old
love—Adrien—who whisked her awa y, 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
Page No 15
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15
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 b idding 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
specifi cally. 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,
Page No 16
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16
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 th e
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.”
Page No 17
Thief of Hearts
17
* * *
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 ma nage 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 an swer
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
muscle d arms around her. Each continuing
Page No 18
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18
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 a s 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 low er 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
Page No 19
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19
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 a te 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 ab ducted 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
Page No 20
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20
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 lov e
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 w ould 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 wat ched 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.
“What did she say?”
He gulped and turned away from her. “I
Page No 21
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21
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 st and
behind him.
Page No 22
Thief of Hearts
22
* * *
Adrien 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 d reamed 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
though t she might die.
Page No 23
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23
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.
Page No 24
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24
“Oh, Adrien! I’ve dreamed of being in
your arms. Of loving you, completely. I have
never been able to even consider loving another
man.
“Nor I, another woman.”
Janie felt his arms go around her a s he
swept her up into his embrace. Slowly, his lips
took hers. At first kissed her softly, gently as he
explored the newness of it all. When she parted
her lips for him to delve deeper, his kisses
became more urgent. Everything around her
disappeared as he clung to her.
Adoringly, his hands caressed her face.
The roughness of his skin added to the intensity
of his touch. Needing to be closer, Janie
wrapped her arms around him.
“I have waited so long for this and I never
dreamed it would actually ha ppen. I thought
you had gone away and married someone else.”
Janie pulled out of his embrace.
“I could never betray you that way. You
are all I’ve ever wanted. I came back for you in
hopes that you would marry me.”
Giddy with joy, Janie collapsed int o his
arms. The weight of a lifetime finally lifted off
her shoulders. How could she have ever
Page No 25
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25
imagined the thief of hearts would actually turn
out to be the man of her dreams?
Page No 26
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26
Meet the Author:
Alexis Hart aka Karen Syed
lives in Grand Prairie, Texas .
When she is not working in her
independently owned store,
The BookShelf
(www.txbookshelf.net), she
can be found thumb tacked to her chair trying to
finish one of her many works in progress. With
seven published novels and numerous short
stories in print she is pleased to say that she has
already achieved her most sought after goals.
You can visit Alexis Hart at
www.alexishart.com or e -mail her at
klsyed@echelonpress.com She would love to
hear your comments on her stories.
Page No 27
Thief of Hearts
27
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