Page 21 of Devoted to the Spanish Duke
He nodded at Lisandro and slyly grinned. “Though from the mess that is my friend’s face, I would suggest perhaps that you are not entirely unable to defend yourself.”
Maria’s fingers curled tightly into balls. She wanted so very much to believe them. That she was no longer in danger and might finally be going home.
Lisandro reached into the pocket of his waistcoat and took out a gold chain.
“My Santiago medallion!” she cried.
But how could he have come by it? I left it at the villa.
Her knees went from under her and she collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down her face.
Lisandro bent and pressed the necklace into her palm. “Gentlemen, could you please give Doña Maria and I a moment alone?”
He dropped down in front of Maria and wrapped his strong arms around her.
Please, Lord, let this be real. Let this man be all that he says he is.
Chapter Twelve
When Lisandro began to softly stroke her hair, Maria lay her head against his chest. The warm comfort of his embrace was too much to resist.
“Here, let me help you.” He gestured to the necklace.
She sat back on her heels, and he took it and slipped it over her head. With a sobbed sigh, Maria lay her fingers against the medallion.I was a fool to take it off. I will never do that again.
“Did my father give this to you?” she asked.
He brushed away her tears with the pad of his thumb. Shivers thrilled down her spine at his tender regard. “No. Diego did. He doesn’t think your father would have ever agreed to let me help with your rescue. I can understand why. With the feud between our families, his honor would not permit it.”
The fact that Diego had sought assistance from the Duke of Tolosa still didn’t make sense. From the little that she did know of him, Lisandro was nothing more than a well-heeled farmer. And while he had reputedly helped return King Ferdinand to the Spanish throne, he had only been one of many people in that fight.
Why, then, had her brother gone to Lisandro in his hour of need?
After helping Maria to her feet, Lisandro stepped toward the door. She took hold of the sleeve of his coat. “Don de Aguirre. Forgive me for attacking you. And also, for calling you such dreadful names.”
To her surprise, he laid his hand on hers and gave it a gentle pat. When their gazes met, she caught the hint of a smile on his face.
“I should have been on my guard. As I recall, when you realized who I was that night at the ball, you were more than a little disgusted,” he replied.
Maria winced, remembering her haughty treatment of him.
His lips spread into a grin. “Come, let’s get a spot of food and coffee into you, Doña Maria. I expect you would appreciate eating a hearty breakfast while knowing that it has not been drugged.”
He reached for the door handle, but once again, she was reluctant to leave the room. To break this private moment. “Don de Aguirre, you have saved me. And as much as it might disappoint my father, that makes you my friend. Friends call me Maria,” she said.
His whole face softened, and tears threatened her once more. “Maria,” he said. “And if we are friends, then I am Lisandro.”
With an unexpected lump in her throat, Maria followed Lisandro out of the room. They were friends. For now.
But the time may come when they went back to being enemies.
Chapter Thirteen
He was surprised at how much English Maria could speak. Lisandro had been expecting to play translator for her, but not long after she’d taken a seat at the long, well-worn dining table, she was holding her own in a conversation with Augustus Jones.
“I love the coast along the Cantabrian Sea; it so beautiful. And, of course, your delightful village of Villabona. The wines in that part of Spain are magnificent,” he said.
Gus placed a hand on Maria’s arm, and Harry gave Lisandro alook. Augustus Trajan Jones had a silver tongue to rival even Casanova. His list of female admirers was long and illustrious.
