Page 33 of Devoted to the Spanish Duke
Being below was warmer, but it still made her uncomfortable. She doubted she would ever get used to the low roof and closed in space. Her tiny cabin was the worst.
On the deck, Lisandro had a quick word with one of the yacht’s crew and they both grinned. He gave the man a friendly pat on the back. The sailor tipped his hat to Maria before moving away to carry on with his work.
Lisandro was so easy with people of all rank. The cheerful way he dealt with the crew added to her already well-formed opinion that Lisandro de Aguirre was indeed a noble man. When the exact moment had occurred in which she stopped thinking of him as being a villain and came to view him as an honorable, decent person, Maria couldn’t recall. Every day she found herself liking him more and more.
The gentle affection she felt for him was growing, blossoming into something else. She treasured these moments, not wanting to think about the time when this would all come to an end.
A slightly sheepish Lisandro ushered her toward the rear of the yacht to the private spot which they had claimed over the past few days. It was behind several large crates and was one of the rare places on the deck where they could shelter out of the wind.
His skillful fingers soon had the cork out the bottle, and with Maria taking up her assigned role of cup holder, Lisandro poured them both a generous amount of wine. Resting the bottle between his legs, he raised his drink to her. Maria followed suit.
“A tu salud,” they said in unison.
The first gulp of wine hit the back of her throat and she coughed. Lisandro reached out and rubbed his hand over her back.
We are so comfortable with one another. Like peas in a pod.
She didn’t want to consider what lay ahead for them in Spain, but she knew the time would soon come when they would be forced to face the reality of their respective lives. Of the fact that Lisandro would eventually have to return her to her family.
He frowned at her. “Why the long face?”
She pointed her cup toward the land, which sat far off the portside. “France will eventually become Spain. This journey will soon be over. I am wondering what the coming days will bring.”
He brushed his hand on her cheek. “Do not be afraid, Doña Maria. I have sworn to protect you and that is what I will do.”
“Will you tell me of your plans? I mean for how we are to make it safely from Bilbao to Tolosa. It is a long way by road,” she replied.
He took a sip of his wine and stared out to sea for a moment. Maria valued the fact that Lisandro often took the time to consider a response to a difficult question. He could be impetuous in the right moment but never flippant.
“If we make it into port any later than first thing, I plan for us to stay overnight in an inn. I need to go and speak with the head priest at Santiago Cathedral. He may be able to shed some light on the people behind your kidnapping. Then, the following morning, I will hire a coach for us, and we can leave. It is not ideal, but I want to talk to the priest,” he replied.
“Do you think people will be waiting for us in port? I mean, news of my escape will reach Spain eventually, but we must have some time on our side,” she replied.
“Assuming there were other people involved in London, of which all our RR Coaching Company friends seemed certain, then we are probably at best a day or two ahead of anyone who might have in mind to sail after us to Spain. Where those people might make land is anyone’s guess. We will need to keep you hidden as best as possible.”
She had asked him to be honest with her about the risks and dangers. Now, she wasn’t so sure she really wanted to know.
I just wish I could close my eyes and when I opened them again, I would be back in Villabona and this would all have been a long nightmare. But that would mean never getting to know Lisandro. I couldn’t ever wish to lose those memories.
Taking Maria’s hand in his, Lisandro shifted and turned to face her. “What is this really about, Maria? You know you can trust me.”
I don’t want our time together to end.
Maria shrugged, unwilling to give voice to her private thoughts. She put her cup of wine to her lips and took a long, deep drink. Hopefully the alcohol would soon have its usual effect and dull her senses. “I’m sorry. I am just unsettled at this time of night. Sleeping below is always a test of my nerves.”
Lisandro studied her for the longest time before finally turning away. The expression on his face told Maria everything she needed to know about what he really thought of her last comment. He didn’t believe her in the slightest.
She paused, summoning up her courage. “No, that is not all. I just find myself valuing these moments when we are together.”
When their gazes met once more, there was a sparkle in Lisandro’s eyes. The soft, playful smile on his lips had her heart skipping a beat. “I like spending time with you, Maria. I like it very much.”
“But you barely know me,” she replied.
He nodded. “Then tell me more about yourself. For instance, what was happening in your life just before you were kidnapped? Diego mentioned the Count of Bera.”
Maria sighed; she had done her best not to think about the arranged marriage her father had been trying to negotiate with the Count. It was an odd thing for Lisandro to bring up, but it sparked hope in her heart. Lisandro had been thinking about her and who she was going to marry.
“When we were in Zarautz, my father and Don Delgado Grandes were in discussion about a possible betrothal between him and me. That’s where they were when I went for my ill-fated walk on the beach.”
