Page 27 of Devoted to the Spanish Duke
To Lisandro’s surprise, Maria not only returned the greeting, but she held out her hand and took the jar from Gus. “Muchas gracias.”
More than one pair of eyes went wide as she lifted the glass to her lips and downed a hearty mouthful of brandy. She swallowed, then nodded. “This is good. The plums could do with a little more crushing, but I think you have the makings of an excellent drink.”
She downed some more of the brandy before holding it out toward Lisandro.
Por favor, no.
When he hesitated, she stepped closer. A playful grin sat on her lips. “Come now, Don de Aguirre. You’re not going to disgrace our country by not accepting English hospitality, are you?”
He took the jar and, raising it to his mouth, took the merest of sips that he could without causing offence. When Maria lifted a disapproving eyebrow, he was tempted to go back for a second drink. However, duty and his need for sobriety stopped him.
Granville took the jar and emptied the last of its contents down his throat. After a short conversation with Stephen out in the hallway, he left the house.
“Come, let’s eat,” announced Stephen. “Granville will bring us some fresh bread and cheese at first light so we shall have food for the journey on to Portsmouth.” He tipped his head in Maria’s direction. “My only regret about this whole adventure is that you and I didn’t get to spend more time together, Doña Maria. I have a feeling you would make for some amusing evenings.”
Lisandro gritted his teeth. Stephen was far too easy with his smile and affable nature than a man had a right to be when it came to a woman like Maria de Elizondo. The womanhehad been tasked with saving.
He liked his friends being comfortable with Maria; it made for an easier existence. What he didn’t particularly care for was them seeing her as anything other than the woman they had helped rescue. A woman who was his alone to deliver safely home from England to Spain.
Maria could like Stephen and the others, but from a distance. He met his friend’s gaze. The look he sent Stephen was clear and primal in its message.
Don’t even think about it. I intend to make her mine.
Chapter Sixteen
The hot supper was exactly what Maria needed. Her belly was happily full and sleep beckoned. She yawned as softly as she could, but Lisandro caught her eye. He rose from his chair.
“Gentleman, I think it is time to . . . how do you English put it? Call it a night,” he said.
Stephen and Gus both nodded in tired agreement. Tomorrow would be another early start and then a late sail. The hours in between would be spent on constant lookout for danger on the road.
“Gus, you can take your usual room. Lisandro, would you care to show Maria to the master bedroom?” asked Stephen.
“I couldn’t possibly impose on you, Sir Stephen,” said Maria. After all that had been done for her, the last thing she wished to do was put their host out of his own bed. As long as no one drugged her, she didn’t mind where she slept.
“I won’t be sleeping in the house. Someone needs to stay with the horses. We think we left London undetected, but you can never be sure. A lonely house in the country might appeal to some as being the perfect place to stage an attack,” said Stephen. He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a double-barreled flintlock. Lisandro and Gus both did the same before putting their weapons back into their holsters.
Stephen nodded at Lisandro. “There is a sword under the bed in the master room, and two other loaded pistols in the top drawer of the tallboy. Smuggling is a dangerous business, and more than one of our competitors wouldn’t hesitate to relieve us of our valuable imported goods when they are being moved from Portsmouth to London. We don’t take chances.”
The sight of pistols being checked dimmed Maria’s contented mood. For just a brief time, Maria had imagined herself out of danger. She silently chastised herself.
Only a foolish niña would think she was safe, even with these men.
Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze to the floor. No doubt the sooner the English were rid of their burdensome guest, the happier they would be.
That will leave you in the hands of Lisandro. Alone with him. At sea. For days.
“Come, Maria. Let’s get you to bed,” said Lisandro. She knew he said it as a matter-of-fact instruction but hearing him say her name and bed in the same sentence had Maria biting her bottom lip.
“I will wake you all when Granville arrives with our breakfast,” said Stephen.
Maria and Lisandro bid the rest of the group a goodnight and headed out into the hallway. Candle in hand, Lisandro led her to the end of the landing and through an ornately carved door. She stepped into the master bedroom and he closed the door behind them, locking it.
Maria’s gaze went from the key to Lisandro.Why is he locking himself in with me?
“I know this is well outside the boundaries of acceptable arrangements between two unmarried people, especially in our country, but it has to be done. You take the bed and I will rest on the couch,” he said.
He pointed toward a long sofa on which a blanket and pillow had been placed. She nodded. There was no point in arguing. If Sir Stephen Moore was going to spend the night sleeping in the stables in order to ensure her protection, she had no right to complain about a comfortable bed or the pistol-wielding man sharing her room.
