Page 28 of Devoted to the Spanish Duke
She also liked being this close to Lisandro. The way her heart beat just a little faster whenever he was near had become a pleasant and very welcome sensation.
He crossed to the window and peered outside. After a quick check of the locks, Lisandro closed the curtains. For someone who was supposed to be just a farmer, he appeared quite familiar with measures of security.
Maria yearned to know more about this intriguing man. “Lisandro. What did you do during the last days of the war against the French? Did you fight at Waterloo alongside the English? I know some Spaniards did,” she said.
He scratched his forehead and sighed. “I am not at liberty to tell you those things. Not because I don’t trust you. But, the political situation in Spain has changed somewhat since the war and with the return of King Ferdinand to the throne. If I told you what I was doing during those years it might put us both in danger.”
His words set her on edge. “You mean further danger. I thought our lives were already at risk.”
Lisandro headed over to the tallboy and opened the top drawer. He took out two pistols and laid one on the top of the dresser. The other was still in his hand when he returned to Maria’s side.
“Yes, further danger.” He went quiet for a moment, leaving Maria to stare into his deep brown eyes. He slowly blinked. “How is this for an agreement? When we are on the boat, you and I should discuss the true situation in our country. One thing I can tell you is that your father is no more just a farmer than I am. Both of us are political creatures.”
“But you are much more than that, Lisandro. I find myself wanting to be with you and discovering who you truly are,” she replied.
A look of desire flitted across his face. “And believe me when I say I would love to learn all there is to know about you, Maria. But first, we have to make it out of England.”
He reached out and brushed his hand over her cheek. A chill ran down Maria’s spine at his tender touch.
This is wrong. I shouldn’t feel anything for this man.
The longer his fingers lingered on her rapidly heating skin the more muddled her mind became. Her sense of self was rapidly diminishing by the second.
It took a great deal of effort, but Maria finally summoned the strength to draw back.
Papá.
Maria had always known him to be involved in local matters of importance; it was part of his role as Duke of Villabona. The idea of him being any sort of player on a larger stage took her by surprise. It also had her worried. What if his activities were the reason for her kidnapping?
“What do you mean when you say my father is a political creature?” she asked.
A guarded look appeared on his face. “Your father played a part in the return of the king to Spain, as did I. But Diego tells me your father has now fallen from royal grace. Perhaps Antonio has regrets about helping the king. He wouldn’t be alone in that thinking if he did.”
A man who found himself questioning his loyalty to the king could find himself with very powerful enemies. People who would seek to do him and his family harm.
“You think the king may have had a hand in my kidnapping?” she asked.
“We can’t put it out of the reach of possibility. Others may seek to win His Majesty’s favor by striking at possible enemies. King Ferdinand has plenty of supporters in England. And with you being stolen away here, it means that if anything bad did happen to you, the blame could not be easily laid at his feet.”
“Oh. You mean I would never be found.”
Lisandro wandered over to the sofa and unfolded the blanket. After checking the pistol once more, he set it down on the floor. He then produced the other pistol from out of his coat and placed it next to it. Both weapons were within easy reach. He took off his coat, but left the rest of his clothes, including his boots, on.
Ready for any possible attack.
“Try and get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow,” he said, resting his head on the pillow.
Maria lay on the bed for a long time, mulling over Lisandro’s words about a possible motive for her kidnapping. While she wished it was impossible, the longer she thought about it, the more it made bone-chilling sense.
She rose up on one elbow and their gazes met. This man had risked a great deal to rescue her.
“Thank you, Lisandro. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here tonight. I may even be dead.”
Lisandro waited until Maria fell asleep and was softly snoring before leaving the room and heading out onto the balcony. He closed the door quietly behind him. The only light, apart from a crescent moon, was the golden glow from Gus’s cigar. As Lisandro stepped into the night air, he was greeted with the click of a pistol, then a sigh.
“Better not shoot you,” muttered Gus as he un-cocked his gun.
“My future children thank you,” replied Lisandro. He came and stood beside his friend, their backs to the wall while their gazes searched the darkness. “Do you think we were followed from London?”
