Page 3 of The Duke's Treasure
“Thank you!” Edward said, jumping from the chaise as new life filled him, and he skipped over to Arthur and took his head between his hands before laying a smacking kiss on his forehead, causing Arthur to flinch. “You will not regret this.”
“I already do,” was all Edward heard as he practically ran from the study.
He had planning to do.
Mariana strolledout to the balcony, allowing the sun to wash over her and warm her through as she leaned against the stone to look out at the Bay of Biscay. It was a clear, calm day and, finally, Mariana felt as at peace as the scene before her.
It was hard to fathom that she lived in this palatial estate alone, but her husband’s family preferred Madrid – which was perfectly fine with her. She had no wish to spend time with any of them.
She was free of Javier. That was all that mattered. There was nothing his family could do to control her again, she told herself, setting her jaw. She would be sure of it.
She had endured enough in the short years they had been married. Now, as terrible as it was, Mariana couldn’t help the relief that he was gone.
“Mariana!”
She turned, her loose hair flying in the wind as she heard her name called from below. That was odd – she wasn’t expecting anyone.
“Raquel?”
Her friend was the only person her staff would allow entrance without alerting her.
“I’m sorry,” her friend said, her chest rising and falling hard when she appeared after her quick ascent of the stairs. “I have surprised you.”
“Perhaps, but you are always the most wonderful of surprises,” Mariana said with a smile. “Where are the children?”
Raquel was the wife of one of the wealthiest local merchants. Keeping herself so far from the capital, there were few people Mariana was in contact with who were of similar station toherself. She and Raquel had quickly noted their kinship when they had met, and she enjoyed spending time with her friend’s young family.
Javier had been horrified when he had discovered their friendship, but it no longer mattered what Javier thought.
“With the tutor,” she said with a smile. “I thought I would steal away some time with you.”
“Please do,” Mariana said, leading Raquel to the balcony. “I was just wondering what I was going to do with myself all day.”
Raquel took a seat and lay back, closing her eyes in the sun, taking what would likely be one of the few moments of peace in her day. “Have you heard from the brother?”
“I have not,” Mariana said, taking a seat across from her friend. “For months now, I have been told that he would arrive any day to begin overseeing this estate, but fortunately for me, he seems to prefer the city. Perhaps I shall be able to live the rest of my days here in San Sebastian without interference.”
“That would be wonderful, would it not?”
“It would.”
Mariana tapped her foot impatiently against the stone floor of the balcony, and after a moment she could feel Raquel’s gaze upon her.
She turned her way. “What is it?”
“Are you happy, Mariana?”
“Of course,” Mariana said quickly.
“But are youtrulyhappy? Now that you have had time to live without Javier, are you able to find joy in your day?”
Mariana didn’t immediately answer, instead turning her head to look back out over the sea. The pale blue sky melded into the blue-green of the ocean in the distance, the beach stretching out to meet the tide.
She knew to what Raquel was referring, and the truth was, shehadfelt the stirrings deep within herself. Stirrings for something… more. She just didn’t know what that more was.
“I have everything I could ever ask for,” she began slowly, cautiously. “A beautiful home. Wonderful friends. Enough funds at my disposal that I can do as I please.”
“But?”
