Page 12 of The Rogue’s Embrace

When Lisandro began to softly stroke her hair, Maria lay her head against his chest. The warm comfort of his embrace was too much to resist.

"Here, let me help you."

He gestured to the necklace.

She sat back on her heels, and he took it and slipped it over her head. With a sobbed sigh, Maria lay her fingers against the medallion. I was a fool to take it off. I will never do that again.

"Did my father give this to you?"

she asked.

He brushed away her tears with the pad of his thumb. Shivers thrilled down her spine at his tender regard. "No. Diego did. He doesn't think your father would have ever agreed to let me help with your rescue. I can understand why. With the feud between our families, his honor would not permit it."

The fact that Diego had sought assistance from the Duke of Tolosa still didn't make sense. From the little that she did know of him, Lisandro was nothing more than a well-heeled farmer. And while he had reputedly helped return King Ferdinand to the Spanish throne, he had only been one of many people in that fight.

Why, then, had her brother gone to Lisandro in his hour of need?

After helping Maria to her feet, Lisandro stepped toward the door. She took hold of the sleeve of his coat. "Don de Aguirre. Forgive me for attacking you. And also, for calling you such dreadful names."

To her surprise, he laid his hand on hers and gave it a gentle pat. When their gazes met, she caught the hint of a smile on his face.

"I should have been on my guard. As I recall, when you realized who I was that night at the ball, you were more than a little disgusted,"

he replied.

Maria winced, remembering her haughty treatment of him.

His lips spread into a grin. "Come, let's get a spot of food and coffee into you, Do?a Maria. I expect you would appreciate eating a hearty breakfast while knowing that it has not been drugged."

He reached for the door handle, but once again, she was reluctant to leave the room. To break this private moment. "Don de Aguirre, you have saved me. And as much as it might disappoint my father, that makes you my friend. Friends call me Maria," she said.

His whole face softened, and tears threatened her once more. "Maria,"

he said. "And if we are friends, then I am Lisandro."

With an unexpected lump in her throat, Maria followed Lisandro out of the room. They were friends. For now.

But the time may come when they went back to being enemies.