Page 28 of The Lord's Compass
“Yes,” he said, his smile widening. “Although I would be more than happy to learn more about you, Mrs.…”
“Sanchez.”
“Mrs. Sanchez,” he said with a quick look over at Eric. Fortunately, Eric’s coloring was dark enough for him to pass for a Spaniard.DonRaphael did not seem to have any particular interest in him, although he might wonder about Faith. He cleared his throat before returning his attention to Faith.
“As it happens, I have an engagement that I must attend shortly. Where are you staying?”
“At the inn,” Eric said, leaning back with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Oh,”DonRaphael said, a look of displeasure crossing his face. “That will never do. You must stay here.”
“Oh, we couldn’t,” Faith said quickly, shaking her head. She had been the guest at many a home before, but it didn’t seem right to stay at this house – they were using this man to try to find a treasure that his family could, potentially, have equal claim to.
“On the contrary, Mrs. Sanchez,” he said, leaning forward toward her. “I would be more than happy to have you here.”
Eric cleared his throat and leaned forward himself, even as he clasped Faith’s hand tighter than he had before.
“And am I also welcome,DonRaphael?” he asked, with more edge to his voice than Faith was used to hearing.
“Of course, Mr. Sanchez,”DonRaphael said with a smile that did not at all appear genuine crossing his face. “Now, why do you not arrange for your belongings to be sent here? I will not be here tonight but I look forward to hosting you tomorrow. We can spend the day touring the estate and then we can enjoy dinner together.”
“That sounds perfect,” Faith said with a smile. “Shall we go collect our things, dear?”
The endearment sounded disingenuous even to her ears, butDonRaphael didn’t seem to question it, although she could tell that Eric was trying not to laugh.
“Very well,” Eric said. “Thank you for your generous offer. I can assure you that mywifeand I will not overstay your hospitality.”
“Stay as long as you’d like,”DonRaphael said, and, as if magically summoned, the butler appeared. “Abello will show you out.”
They parted ways withDonRaphael outside of the drawing room door, and Faith decided that perhaps the servant could provide some information.
“Tell me, Abello, have you served the Palencia family long?”
“All my life,” he said in a low, sombre voice. “My family has been with the Palencia family for generations.”
“Is that so?” she asked, an eyebrow rising. “Perhaps they knew my great-grandmother, then.”
“Likely,” was all he said. He was not the talkative type.
“Perhaps someone in your family might remember,” Eric said, but Abello ignored the comment.
“When you return, I shall show you to your chambers,” he said. “Farewell.”
And with that, he closed the entrance door behind them.
“Well, what do you make of that?” Faith asked Eric as he led her down the drive. He still had her hand clasped tightly within his and didn’t seem to have any inkling of releasing it as he tugged her away from the house.
“That was… interesting,” he said. “I do not like the idea of staying at this place.”
“Why?” she asked, looking at him with interest. “It provides us with the perfect opportunity to search the grounds and estate and learn more about where the treasure may be.”
But Eric was shaking his head, his face hard. “I didn’t like the way he looked at you.”
“The way he looked at me?” Faith’s mouth dropped open. “Why Eric, are you… are you jealous?”
He glanced at her quickly before he faced the path in front of them once more. “As far as he is aware, you are my wife. He should not be looking at you like that.”
“And that is all?”
