Page 31 of The Duke's Treasure
“I have friends there,” he explained. “They will provide us with transportation to Castleton.”
“That is your home?” she asked, her heart beginning to beat slightly faster. She had been aware of the impact of her decision, made in a matter of moments, but only now as the land was coming into sight did she truly realize that by choosing to come with him, she had changed the entire course of her life.
But when she met his trusting grey eyes, took his hand which was stretched out toward her, she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she had made the right decision.
“That is our home now,” he answered her. “Arthur – my brother – and my mother also live there, but there is plenty of space.”
“What is your mother going to think of a Catholic Spanish woman as your wife?” she asked.
“I think she is going to be rather surprised,” he said with a chuckle. “But somehow, I believe that if there was ever a woman who could stand up to her, it would be you.”
She didn’t like what his words insinuated. She might have backbone, but she had just recently left a life in which she had to continually stand up for herself. She didn’t welcome the idea of having to do so again. She wrinkled her nose at him. “I’m not entirely sure what that is supposed to mean.”
“My mother is not the warmest of women to people she doesn’t know well,” he said, squeezing her hand. “But once she knows you, I know she will love you. How could she not?”
“Hmm,” was all Mariana said, but before she could continue, the ship rounded a finger of land and a tall manor came into view.
“This is Newfield House,” he said, waving at the building in front of them. “It belongs to a friend of mine.”
Once the ship docked, the captain and crew agreed to wait onboard until preparations could be made to unload all of the goods. Rodrigo agreed to stay with the ship to help look after the treasure in the hold, despite the captain’s insistence that his men were happy to do so – likely a wise decision as a man who could so easily be bought was a risk when such a treasure was at stake. Mariana and Edward had barely reached the dock when a tall figure appeared before them.
“Do my eyes deceive me?” a voice boomed out, “Or is that the Duke of Sheffield on my shore?”
“William!” Edward called. “Good to see you.”
They clasped hands once they reached one another, and Mariana could see the man’s eyes flitting toward her. He was of similar age to her and Edward, and from what Edward had told her, was a man to be trusted.
“This is my friend, Lord Embury,” Edward said, introducing the man before beaming at Mariana. “And this is my soon-to-be bride,DoñaPalencia.”
“You might as well call me Mariana,” she murmured in greeting.
Lord Embury’s eyes widened in shock at Edward’s words.
“When you said you were hunting treasure, I didn’t realize that this is the sort of treasure you were looking for,” he said, making Edward laugh.
“You are right, my friend, but trust me when I say there is no greater treasure,” he said, causing a smile to light Lord Embury’s face.
“I understand completely,” he said, beginning to lead them away from the dock and up toward the house. “Mariana, you must meet my wife. She will be quite eager to get to know you, I am sure. I assume you will be staying overnight?”
“If you will have us,” Edward said, accepting the offer as they walked up the rise toward the towering house in the distance.
A lovely blond woman greeted them at the front door, a smile brightening her face when she was introduced to Mariana.
“How wonderful!” she said, her words quite genuine. “I didn’t think Edward would ever settle down. You must be as intriguing as you are beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Mariana said with a smile. “If all the English are as welcoming as you, perhaps I do not need to be as nervous as I am.”
“Charity is friendlier than most,” Edward murmured. “However, she is a wonderful ally to have on our side and will be a great friend to you, I am sure.”
Edward followed Lord Embury into his study, likely to discuss transporting the treasure. Mariana noticed that his eyes kept returning to the window, likely hopeful that Rodrigo was able to keep everything safe.
Meanwhile, Lady Embury continued to talk in her low, comforting voice as she showed Mariana up the stairs to her chamber.
“I shall put you in this room here,” she said, a twinkle in her eye as she spoke. “Edward shall be just down the hall.”
“You must know him well if you call one another by your Christian names,” Mariana couldn’t help but remark, and Lady Embury nodded.
“We have all known one another since we were children,” she said. “He and my husband have been the closest of friends. It was always understood that William and I were to marry, and I spent a great deal of time with the two of them. Edward is like a brother to me.”
