Page 4 of The Duke's Treasure
“But, for one, it could all be taken away from me in a moment if Javier’s brother so chooses. I would have the inheritance from my father to live off of should it be necessary, but nothing here is permanent.”
“Is that all?”
“And I am alone,” Mariana said, dropping her head. She hadn’t wanted to admit it, even to herself, but Raquel’s probing brought out the truth. “While I will admit to you and to you alone that I am happy to be rid of my husband, I do not have any children with him, although truth be told, perhaps that is a good thing for I have no further ties to his family. My parents have passed, and my sisters are happily married with their families on opposite sides of Spain. I do not want to be a burden upon them. I married a marqués – I was the one who was supposed to take care of the family.”
Raquel pushed herself back and forth in the rocking chair as she studied Mariana.
“Your sisters have their own families. The only person you must look after now is yourself.”
Mariana hated that Raquel was seeing this side of her, but, if she was going to open herself up to anyone, it would be her closest of friends.
“So what do I do now?” she asked, her voice just above a whisper.
“I suppose you look for any opportunities that come your way.”
“I’m not sure I know what that means.”
“It means that you never know what you’re going to find.”
“I do not venture far from here.”
“Well,” Raquel said with a shrug. “Just maybe something will findyouinstead.”
CHAPTER 2
Mariana’s eyes were just beginning to close when she heard the knock on her door. She sat up quickly, pushing her hair back away from her eyes, disoriented for a moment until she realized that she had fallen asleep in the drawing room while reading after dinner.
She lifted the book off of her chest and threw it to the side. It was obviously not worth reading if it had put her right to sleep.
“Abello?” she called out to her butler. “Who is there?”
He appeared in the doorway, his hands drawn together.
“DoñaPalencia? A… gentleman is here to see you.”
Rather than appearing judgemental, the servant seemed confused, which made sense, for Mariana never entertained men of any sort – except those who visited with their wives and even that was a rare occurrence.
“Who is this gentleman?”
“An Englishman. He says he is a duke.”
“An English duke?” She pushed herself off of the sofa and took to her feet in surprise.
“Yes.”
“What does he want?”
“To seeDonPalencia.”
“Oh,” she said, running her hands over her dress in an attempt to smooth out the wrinkles. Her paniers were rather flat, but what did she care what this English duke thought of her? She was sure he would be on his way once he realized her husband was no longer in this world. “I suppose I best see what his business is.”
She looked around the room. “Can you please send in a couple of maids to prepare the room for a visitor? And perhaps a tray. I am rather hungry myself.”
“Of course.”
“Once the room is ready, please show him in.”
The butler nodded and then left. Abello had always seemed a trustworthy sort since Mariana had taken up residence here a few years ago, and she only hoped that he wouldn’t inform any of Javier’s family that she was entertaining a man – even if he wasn’t an invited one.
