Page 25 of The Duke's Treasure
She wished she had someone to wait with her. She knew if she asked Raquel, she would do all she could to help her, but it was as Edward had said. Raquel had a family of her own. She didn’t need to leave them for Mariana and her worries.
And truthfully? All Mariana wanted was to be with Edward himself.
After what seemed liked hours, she saw a lone lantern held up by a rider come piercing through the darkness, and she breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he neared.
“Edward,” she called out as she let herself out the front door, running toward his horse, which he pulled up shortly right before he reached her.
“Mariana,” he greeted her. Sweat lined his brow in the heat of the evening, and she could only imagine the physical labour moving such a treasure had taken.
“Is it done?”
“It is,” he said, a tired but satisfied smile crossing his face.
“Did anyone see you?”
“I do not believe so,” he said, dropping down from his horse. The stable hands were ready for the rest of the horses and now-empty carts as they appeared from behind Edward. After they ensured all would be well, Edward thanked Rodrigo, who told them that the rest of the men had retired for the night but would be prepared when Edward was ready to depart.
“They are going with you?” Mariana asked as they walked up to the house.
“They are,” he said. “They are good men, without roots at the moment. They can choose if they would like to remain in England in my employ or eventually find their way home.”
Mariana swallowed, not wanting to ask the next question but needing to anyway.
“When will you go?”
“Tomorrow,” he said, the moonlight reflecting off of his angular cheekbones. “If you’d like to come with me?—”
“I can’t,” she said instinctively, shaking her head. “What would I do there? I am sure your family would not exactly welcome a Spanish noblewoman to their home, and nor would I likely be comfortable.”
She also didn’t voice the question of just what role she would assume there.
“I understand,” he said wistfully. “If I could stay, I would. But?—”
“I know,” she said with a sad smile, interlacing her fingers through his as they stepped through the door. “Well, since this is going to be our last night together…”
“Then let’s make it worth it,” he said, finishing her sentence, his lips fused upon hers before they could even start up the stairs.
He stepped into her until her back hit the wall, his hands running up her arms, pushing them up so that they were overhead, leaving her stretched out before him. As his lips tasted and his tongue plundered, he wedged his knee between her legs, smiling into her mouth when she began to rub against him, feeling the wanton for doing so but unable to help herself.
“Edward,” she said, breaking away, his name coming on panting gasps.
“Yes?”
“We should go upstairs.”
“Of course,” he responded, although he couldn’t seem to tear himself away from her as he trailed kisses over her neck. Finally, it was Mariana who drew away, although she tugged on his hand as she pulled him up the stairs after her, not wanting to let him go far.
She led him down the hallway, opening the door to her room, surprising her lady’s maid, who let out a gasp at seeing that her lady was not alone.
“My lady?—”
“I will not be needing you tonight, Rosa. You may retire.”
“Of course, my lady,” she said, rushing out the door, her mouth agape.
“Rosa?” she called after her.
“Yes?”
