Page 29 of Devoted to the Spanish Duke
Gus shook his head. “I made certain to check behind us every few miles. If I were a kidnapper intent on overtaking us, I would have done it closer to the city where I could call on more men. To be honest, I think the real danger now lies ahead of you.”
In Spain. Where Maria and I will be on our own until I can get her to Castle Tolosa.
He would just have to hope that they could slip into the port of Bilbao and not be noticed.
“Maria settled in for the night?” asked Gus.
It was an innocuous enough question, but Lisandro well knew the real meaning behind it. Maria had been light-hearted when Mister Granville was here, tasting the brandy and showing self-confidence. But years of war and subterfuge had taught them both that people often adopted a mask when nervous or seriously worried.
“She was asking about her father. Wishes to know what he has been involved in,” he replied.And whether his political affiliations have had something to do with her kidnapping.“I told her we can talk about it once we board the yacht to Spain. I figure if she hears the truth of what her beloved padre has been doing, Maria might need a few days at sea to be able to absorb that hard truth.”
Gus handed Lisandro the cigar, and he took a long, deep drag before handing it back. “I can imagine it might be difficult to accept that Antonio de Elizondo is in fact one of those who have been moving behind the scenes in an effort to curtail the king’s power,” replied Gus.
“A woman of such noble birth as Maria should only be having to concern herself with finding a good husband and raising a family. She most certainly shouldn’t have to worry about being kidnapped. If someone takes issue with her father, that is who they should be dealing with,” said Lisandro.
He was not looking forward to having a full and frank conversation with Maria about what was happening behind the scenes in Spain, or how capricious their king could be when it came to matters of loyalty and treason.
Maria’s kidnapping might only be the beginning of her family’s troubles. It was yet another good reason for the two families to finally set their long feud aside. If he and Antonio could find a way to work together, they might be able to protect both the Elizondo and the Aguirre clans from powerful and as yet unknown enemies.
Only then could Lisandro look to win Maria’s heart.
Chapter Seventeen
The night and the following day passed without incident. It was a welcome respite. As the coach drew near to the coast, Lisandro dropped the window down and let the refreshing sea breeze fill the carriage.
He grinned at Maria across the narrow space. For the first time since her kidnapping, real hope sparked in Maria’s heart.
If they could make it safely onboard Gus’s private yacht, there was a good chance of her getting back to her family in one piece.
“What day is it?” she asked.
“Sunday. And in answer to your next question, no we don’t have time for church. But if you like we could spend a moment or two in prayer together,” he replied.
Maria removed her Santiago medallion necklace and held it, while Lisandro placed his hands over hers.
“Por favor, padre celestial, te ruego que mantengas tu buena gracia sobre los dos,”,she said. They both made the sign of the cross as Lisandro added. “Amén.”
If she made it home safely, she planned to spend time giving thanks in the Elizondo family chapel.
They reached Portsmouth in the early evening and made straight for the dockside. She had been expecting them to stay in the harbor until the tide was ready, but Lisandro and his friends had other ideas.
As soon as the coach came to a halt next to the stone pier, Gus and Stephen both climbed down, weapons at the ready. Lisandro grabbed his travel bag, which also contained Maria’s few possessions, and opened the door.
“Wait here for a moment; we need to check that the area is safe. I trust you know how to handle a rifle?” he asked.
Maria lifted an eyebrow in reply. She was a Spanish noblewoman from the Basque country; of course, she knew how to use a rifle. Bending, she lifted the weapon Lisandro had stored under the seat and examined it.
“If I need to fire it to save one of our lives, you can rely on me,” she replied.
Lisandro nodded. “Maria de Elizondo, the fortunate man who gets to be your husband will always know that he can count on your bravery.”
She sat back on the bench seat and stared at the rifle. It would be wonderful to be married to someone who saw her value. A man who looked beyond her bride price and family name.
Perhaps a man like Lisandro de Aguirre.
He brushed a hand down her cheek, and she met his steely gaze with a resolved heart. She would do whatever he asked.
“Be ready to fire the rifle if you have to. I will be back shortly,” he said, and stepped away from the coach.
