A Distant Magic by Mary Jo Putney

Perhaps the force of his obsession had drawn her to him.
    With Macrae gone, vengeance must be wreaked on the son who was now Macrae of Dunrath. And this pallid girl, who had become his by the merest chance, would be his weapon. He studied her with avid curiosity, thinking that her slight body had never known adversity or hard labor. Her coloring was delicate, and her hair so heavily powdered that the color was disguised. He hadn't really noticed her eyes. They might have been a light hazel.
    But she was a pretty thing, in a fragile, high-bred fashion. He had a sudden violent vision of himself assaulting her, ripping off that expensive gown and hammering into her soft, pampered body.
    The fierce desire that accompanied his vision left him trembling. He took a deep breath and laid her on the floor. He would not rape, not even Macrae's daughter.
    Tano returned and halted to stare at the girl. "Captain?"
    "She is the daughter of my enemy." Nikolai's resolve hardened. Fate had brought this Macrae to him, and he would not waste the gift. Later he could decide the best way to use her. For now, he must get her to his ship without being noticed.
"She's small enough to fit into one of the merchandise hampers. Bring one from
the warehouse and don't let yourself be seen."
    Tano frowned at the girl before turning to obey. Nikolai studied her again, wondering how long she would be unconscious. He'd used a huge amount of power on her—thinking of Macrae had made him burn with a red rage. It was fortunate he hadn't killed her by mistake. In fact, he probably would have if she hadn't been shielded. She was a Guardian, after all. His own power was undeveloped and rigidly suppressed—except for occasions like this.
    He wondered how great her power was—the shield had been quite competent. But perhaps she'd had help with it. When Macrae talked of his children, he had shown pride in his son's great talent, but had not mentioned the daughter's. Likely Jean Macrae did not have unusual magical ability, but he mustn't take that for granted. A captive Guardian mage would be dangerous.
    Tano returned with one of the large wicker hampers used for packing fragile valuables. Nikolai removed the lid, then lifted Jean Macrae and folded her into the basket. She barely fit, her knees drawn up and her arms crossed on her chest like a child. Once more he felt a twinge of discomfort at what he was doing. She'd looked so sweet and innocent when she had smiled up at him, pleased to find a man who knew her father.
    But all who lived were the products of their ancestors. She should have chosen hers more carefully. He dropped her fallen bonnet on top of her.
    "Will she stay asleep?" Tano asked.
    Nikolai touched the smooth, pale ivory of her forehead. Her consciousness was still buried deeply, but he sent more energy just in case.
"Long enough." He closed the hamper.
    The next step was getting her to the ship. Nikolai would have to take her himself because of his ability to make people overlook his presence. Though he didn't become invisible, people tended to look past him.
"I'll carry her out through the public door. Stay here to let me back in. Then
we'll complete our business and leave from the warehouse side, so no one will
know that I left and returned."
    Tano nodded and lifted the handle at one end of the hamper. Together they carried it to the public door, then Nikolai took over. Though the Macrae chit wasn't heavy, the hamper was awkward. Luckily, the
Justice
was moored nearby. After his prisoner was locked in the mate's cabin, he returned to the Fontaine emporium and finished his purchases, his face impassive.
    As soon as the last container was stowed, the ship sailed, blessed by a timely tide. The gods favored his quest, it seemed.
     
    Jean's disappearance was noted at midday, when Monsieur Fontaine sought her out so they could return home for a luncheon. Her baskets of goods were found, but no trace of her remained. The warehouse and showroom were