Page 46 of Devoted to the Spanish Duke
He had to draw the enemy out from their hiding place, make them reveal themselves. And in order to do that, he had to put himself in danger.
“Are you sure this is the only way? I mean, I am not disagreeing with your plan. It’s just the thought of something happening to you fills me with dread,” she said. The betrothal ring had been on her finger for a matter of a minute and she was already gripping it tight.
“I am not going to do anything foolish. Besides they don’t know where you are, so no one is likely to make an attempt to kill me before they get you back.”
“I don’t think my father would try to harm you, Lisandro. You might have an inkling of his politics, but I know him as a man. The two of you are not that distant in your ways,” she replied.
Lisandro was going to have to place his trust in the honor and true character of Antonio Elizondo. His life depended on it.
“Well, after tomorrow many things will be settled. Hopefully the day will see us toasting our betrothal. If it doesn’t, I will likely be sitting in chains.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
All this talk of plotting and schemes had Maria thinking Lisandro would want her to leave. To let him get sleep and be ready for the fateful day ahead.
He slipped a hand around her waist and pulled her to him. Maria gasped as the firmness of his erection pressed against her stomach.
“Last chance. You can leave this room right now and we can wait until we are married to make love.”
Maria had been sure of her decision before they had talked; now, she was adamant. Lisandro was not leaving Castle Tolosa without having claimed her as his woman.
She brushed a hand against the bulge in his trousers, then took a hold and gently squeezed. “I hear that this is what I am supposed to do. Is it alright?”
He drew in a deep breath and whispered, “Maria, yes.”
A long, warm kiss was her reward for giving him pleasure. She groaned as their lips and tongues worked over one another. For a strong, powerful man, he was surprisingly tender when it came to be kissing her.
His hands worked their way up to the bodice of her gown, then around to the back where the laces were tied. He tugged on one of them and she waited for it to come loose. With a hum of disappointment, he tried again.
“These things are wickedly tied,” he said.
“Sorry I didn’t think to loosen them.”
It was hard to think of much else other than her nerves and rapidly beating heart.
She pulled back and turned around, placing her hands on the edge of the bed. “Does this help?”
There was a moment of unexpected silence. She glanced over her shoulder to see him staring at her ass. When their gazes met, he grinned. “I was just recalling the night we rescued you and I had to carry you out of the house slung over my shoulder. In all the mayhem, I didn’t get time to appreciate just how magnificent yourtraserois, so forgive me if I indulge for a moment.”
Maria giggled; his indelicate remark was exactly what she needed. Her nerves were on edge, humor the perfect antidote.
Strong arms came around her, lifting her away from the bed. Lisandro blazed a trail of warm, tender kisses down her neck. She shivered at the heady sensation that thrummed through her body as he touched her skin.
“Don’t be afraid. I will keep you safe in all things,” he said.
“Even this?”
“Yes, especially this.”
From the first day they had been together in London, Lisandro’s honest nature had overcome both Maria’s hatred and mistrust of him. Within days, she had willingly placed her faith, and indeed her life, in his hands.
Giving herself to him tonight was the ultimate act of trust.
Reaching behind her, she searched for the laces of her gown. Her fingers gripped the shortest tie and she tugged it free. Lisandro quickly stepped into the role of lady’s maid and deftly loosened the rest of them.
The cool night air kissed her back as he pulled the gown open and pushed the top of it down. Instinctively she held onto the fabric, keeping her breasts covered as she turned to face him.
“Let it go; I want to see you. All of you,” he whispered.
