Page 16 of The Duke's Treasure
The salty spray of the water hit him before the ocean came into view, and Edward lifted his face to welcome it. He had always enjoyed the sea and the freedom it provided. In another life, he would have spent all of his days exploring the ocean’s waterways, seeing what treasure paths they could lead to, but of course those days were over now.
They had just begun to walk toward where the boats were docked when he heard his name being called, andDoñaPalencia looked around them in confusion, as no one here should know who he is.
“Rodrigo!” he called out, lifting an arm to the man, and then looked toward the lady. “Do you recall the friend I told you about?”
“Yes.”
“Here he is.”
The Peruvian reached them, and Edward made the introductions. Rodrigo bowed low over the marquesa’shand, and Edward felt a strange stirring of jealousy, which made no sense whatsoever as he had no hold, no say over this woman.
She, in turn, eyed Rodrigo with some interest.
“I hear you have spun some tales.”
“No tales, my lady. Simply truth.”
He proceeded to tell the same story he had to Edward, and this time, when she heard it from the man’s mouth himself, she seemed to believe it.
“You didn’t trust me?” Edward said, leaning back and away from her, affronted.
“He seems more credible,” she said with a shrug, and Edward couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I will change your mind about me,” he said, projecting confidence.
A subtle smile tipped up her lips. “We shall see.”
“I assume you are here to see if there is anything to discover near the docks,” Rodrigo said, and Edward nodded.
“I have found nothing, but perhaps the lady knows the land better than I do,” he said. “Would you like to come with us?”
Rodrigo shook his head. “I have found work for a time, and I must report in. I shall see you again soon, I hope?”
“Of course.”
They continued walking, and Edward couldn’t prevent his gaze from returning toDoñaPalencia.
“You treated him with a great deal of respect.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Edward shrugged. “He is nowhere near your station. He came here as a servant on theSan Juan.”
“I am not so high on myself that I cannot converse with someone of a different social standing. Do you not feel the same?”
“I do, but not many of noble birth would agree.”
“It is their loss, then, for they are missing out on all of the goodness that people of all walks of life have to offer.”
They shared a smile and continued walking along the docks.
“Your friend is right, you know.”
“About what?”
“There is nothing to be found here by the docks. I cannot imagine any area that might provide space for a treasure of great size to be stored. If anything, I would guess that it was taken away somewhere inland, toward the hills and mountains where it might have been hidden away.”
He grinned at her. “You believe me, then.”
