Page 21 of The Duke's Treasure
Mariana closed her eyes, wondering what would happen now. She felt connected to him in a way that she had never felt before, even with the man she had been married to. But what did she say to him after this? Thank you for the fun time, now goodbye and good luck on your fruitless treasure hunt?
He surprised her by reaching out and taking her hand in his, holding it tightly on his chest.
“Mariana.”
“Yes?”
“I think we have a problem.”
She turned her head to look at him, holding his gaze. “What’s that?”
“I am never going to be able to let you go now.”
CHAPTER 8
Edward couldn’t stop staring at Mariana.Mariana. He allowed her name to wash over him, knowing he would never be able to think of her asDoñaPalencia again.
He couldn’t believe he had told her aloud how he felt, but it was true. He had been falling for her before this, but what now? Now he couldn’t imagine leaving Spain and never seeing her again.
He watched her, waiting for her to voice her objections.
“I also… enjoyed that,” she said finally, and he raised his brows, dismay unfurling in his stomach.
“But?” he said, keeping his tone light despite the heaviness within him.
“But what are we doing? You are an English duke. My life is here, in Spain.”
“What do you have here?” he asked, knowing he was likely being insensitive but unable to help himself. “Your husband is dead. You have no family that I have seen.”
“I have friends.”
“With families of their own.”
She was silent, looking down as she buttoned her waistcoat, even though it still damp. She peered outside.
“The rain has stopped.”
“Mariana—”
She turned to him, her face balled up in anguish. “I have known you a week, Your Grace.”
“Edward.”
“Edward. What I do know of you in that short time is that you are not a man intent on settling down any time soon. Look where you are! On the coast of Spain hunting for a treasure that likely isn’t here when you should be at home, looking after a dukedom.”
“My brother is doing that for me.”
“So you would take me home to England and leave me with your brother while you adventured around the world?”
“No, I?—”
She held out her hands to stop him before raising them to her hair, wrapping her silky curls around them. “This is insanity.”
“I have been accused of that a time or two before.”
“I—” She paused suddenly, and he followed her gaze, which was fixed on the floor. “What’s that?” Her eyes were wide in shock.
“What’s what?” he asked.
