Page 57 of Devoted to the Spanish Duke
But the next few days were for themselves. They were going to spend them alone in their private quarters, camped out on the enormous bed, sleeping, making love, then sleeping again. The only time anyone would see them was when the servants brought them food and more wine.
Lisandro took a sip of his champagne before setting it on a nearby table. Maria lay her head back as he took one of her nipples into his mouth. He slipped a hand below the water and between her legs.
“I am glad we decided to get this tub. I anticipate it will get plenty of use,” he whispered.
She softly gasped as he began to stroke her sex. Her hand trembled, spilling some of the champagne.
He took the glass from her fingers and set it alongside his on the table. Maria rose up and then slowly sunk down, taking the full length of him. With her head settled in the crook of his neck, she proceeded to make sweet love to her husband.
“You know how I have always said I don’t believe in coincidences?” he asked.
Maria gathered what remained of her thoughts. “Yes.”
He thrust up into her. “I do, however, believe in fate. From that night when I first saw you, I knew you and I were meant to be together. That our futures were somehow entwined.”
She lifted her head and stared into the face of the man who had saved her. The man she loved. “I was so disappointed when I discovered who you were. Angry at you— for being you. How could this handsome and divine man standing before me be my enemy?”
Their lips met in a tender kiss as their bodies worked together, reaching as one for that moment of shared ecstasy.
“I love you, Lisandro. And till the day I die, I shall always be grateful that you could see beyond that moment of my outrage and know that we shared one destiny.”
That very evening, theNight Windslipped quietly away from the Spanish coast and into the cover of the dark Cantabrian Sea. Its main deck was filled with the usual cargo of smuggled goods, all bound for England. In a sealed box, wrapped up to keep it safe from salt and water, was a handwoven Cuenca carpet—a special gift of thanks and love from Maria and Lisandro.
The address was marked on the outside of the box.
Master Toby Moore
C/- RR Coaching Company
82 Gracechurch Street
London, England
Epilogue
Five years later
Castle Villabona
“Go on.” Maria handed the rope to her son and then pointed toward her father.
Young Esteban de Aguirre Elizondo looked with trepidation at the two goats which were tethered at the end of the lead before trying to offer the rope back to his mother. A ripple of laughter came from the guests standing to one side in the courtyard of Castle Villabona.
“You must do your duty and pay the debt,” said Lisandro.
Esteban moved forward, one hesitant step after the other. To Maria’s relief, the Duke of Villabona rose from his seat and went to greet his grandson. He knelt before the boy.
“What do you have there, Don Esteban?” asked Antonio.
The boy frowned. “The Duke of Tolosa b . . . bu . . .” He turned to his father.
Lisandro came over to his son and bent down beside him. “The Duke of Tolosa burdens me with the task of paying our annual debt. These fine goats are to ensure that another year of peace exists between our families.”
Esteban handed the rope to the Duke of Villabona, then stepped back and bowed. At least he had that part of the ceremony sorted.
Antonio clapped his hands with glee. “Such a wonderful sight. Two goats, my grandson, and my granddaughter. Oh—and my son-in-law.”
A smiling Maria shook her head. The toddler in her arms squirmed and held out her hands to her father.
