Page 7 of The Duke's Treasure
Her dark gaze bore into him, and he was mesmerized by the brown eyes with flecks of gold that seemed to drink him in.
“I do not believe I have any reason to tell you, a stranger, any more about my marriage than I already have,” she said, setting her jaw, and Edward knew then that he had gone wrong, had broken whatever it was that had been building between them. “You say you are an English duke, but how could I possibly know that to be true? And even if it is, how do I know that you are not using this information for some nefarious purpose?”
She took a breath, and while Edward did allow some guilt to seep through that he watched the rise and fall of her chest, he still didn’t tear his gaze away.
“Unless you speak plainly and tell me what has brought you to Spain, most specifically here to question my husband, I believe it would be best if you left.”
“Very well,” Edward said, realizing that he was going to have to try a different tactic than his usual charm. This woman seemed far too perceptive, apparently able to see right through him. Perhaps he would simply do exactly as she asked and tell her the truth.
“I believe that your husband stole the gold doubloons theSan Juanwas carrying and has hidden them here in his home on the coast. I came to find the treasure.”
The most alluring woman he had ever seen paused, staring at him with shock and disbelief all over her features.
Then she opened her mouth, doubled over – and laughed so hard she nearly fell over.
CHAPTER 3
It took Mariana more than a moment to compose herself. It wasn’t lost on her that when she was finally able to rein in her laughter, the Englishman standing in front of her remained straight-faced.
“And here I thought you had a sense of humor,” she quipped.
“Only when I’m joking,” he returned. “And I most certainly am not joking about this.”
“What reason could you possibly have to assume that my husband would even know anything about this ship’s treasure, let alone be in possession of it?” she said.
“I have my ways,” he said evasively. “Now, are you going to help me or not?”
“I most certainly will not help you on a pointless quest,” she said, standing up straight, needing him to understand that she was not a woman to attempt to convince with sweet words. “Someone has sent you on a fool’s errand,Your Grace, and is having a good laugh at your expense. My husband may be a man of loose morals who wouldn’t have turned away from a treasure, it’s true. However, he did not possess the wiles to steal such a thing, and besides that, he is loyal to Spain – as loyal as aman like him could be, I suppose. He would not steal from his country.”
Edward leaned forward. “Be that as it may, I believe that he had pirates steal the treasure and sink the ship, then return the fortune here to Spain for himself.”
“And did what? Hide it?” she said incredulously, raising a finger in the air and pointing it at him. “If he had come into such money, he most certainly would have spent it, and I never saw any excess. Now, Your Grace, you are in my home after dark, and we are unescorted. I wouldn’t want the neighbors to talk.”
By his quick grin and the gleam in his eyes, she had a feeling that he was well aware that she did not care what her neighbors might think, but she most certainly wasn’t going to go jump into bed with a man that she hardly knew.
“Are not the ‘neighbors’ people who live on your land?”
“It’s not mine.”
“Your husband’s then. Same thing.”
“Not really.”
He let out a sigh as he began to leave.
“Very well,DoñaPalencia. I will respect your wishes and go. But please know that I am staying at the inn not far away. If you think of anything, please do let me know.”
“Of course,” she said, though she didn’t hide the fact that she didn’t really mean it. “Why would I not want to give any information to an Englishman who showed up here with no announcement, who should be the last man to have any claim to such a treasure, if it is true that it is even on land somewhere and not in some watery grave? This matter does not concern you,Your Grace. Please go back to where you came from and forget all about my husband and theSan Juan.”
“DoñaPal?—”
“Go home. Not to the inn, but to England. And do leave this be.”
Edward nearly kickedthe stool in front of him when he returned to the inn. Now sitting in the tavern, he had a sangria before him, even though he would have desperately loved a whiskey instead. He had found, however, that when in a foreign land it was best to order the local drink.
“You look like you have some troubles,” said a man from the table next to him.
Edward shook his head, lifting his glass to his lips. “Nothing overly concerning,” he said after he swallowed. “Some business to take care of, is all.”
