Page 15 of The Rogue’s Embrace

At the end of a long day on the road, after a number of changes of horses, the coach pulled into the entrance of a country estate. The manor was set well back from the London to Portsmouth road. It would be difficult for anyone to try and hide if they sought to approach the house unseen.

As Maria stepped down from the carriage, she stretched her back and shoulders. Every muscle was tight. "Hopefully I will sleep tonight," she said.

Lisandro met her gaze. "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Maria shook her head. The drugs had done their job while she had been held captive, but it would take time for her body to readjust to sleeping without them.

"Not very well. I am exhausted. I don't expect I will get a solid night's rest until I am safely back home in Spain."

She could also privately admit to still not fully trusting her rescuers. The medallion from Diego had gone a long way to settling her fears, but until she could actually ask her brother what had been discussed between him and Lisandro, she would remain on her guard.

He talks of friendship, yet I feel that there is more to what he and Diego agreed.

Being constantly on edge frayed her nerves. She yearned to enjoy a long, restful sleep under the shade of one of the giant oak trees at her family's home in Villabona. To wake and find her maid bringing her a refreshing glass of sangria.

I just want to be back in Spain.

Stephen and Gus climbed down from the top of the coach. While Gus led the horses around to the rear stables, Stephen headed toward the front door.

He rummaged around in his coat pocket for a key, then turned to the others. "I'm afraid this won't be a warm meal and cheery fireside evening. I only employ a man to come up from the local village once a week to check on the place. Other than that, the house is usually empty."

Maria's heart sank. She had been looking forward to some hot food. But they would have to make do. This was just a one-night stop on the road to Portsmouth. On the road home.

"If you get yourselves inside and perhaps start a fire, I will ride into Witley and see what food and supplies I can rustle up for us. Hopefully, my estate keeper's wife will have done some baking today,"

said Stephen.

"Good idea,"

replied Lisandro.

Stephen disappeared around the side of the small manor house, leaving Maria and Lisandro alone at the front door.

They exchanged a shy smile. Maria drew comfort from it. Considering that he stirred strange emotions within her, it was nice to know that Lisandro also felt somewhat awkward when they were alone. She was supposed to mistrust and dislike this man; instead, she found herself secretly longing to be with him.

I wonder if he also senses this odd tension between us. This magnetic pull.

When he held out his hand to her, Maria hesitated. They had spent the better part of the day sitting in silence in the coach. Lisandro had slept for most of that time while she had watched the green English countryside as it passed by.

He let out an obvious huff of frustration. "Since you and I are going to be spending a lot of time together over the next couple of weeks, may I suggest that you consider lowering your guard."

Maria winced as heat raced to her cheeks. "I am sorry. I must appear to be so ungrateful for all that you have done for me. I just don't . . ."

She fought sudden tears as she stared at Lisandro's offered hand. Her sensible self was forever at pains to remind her that she was supposed to mistrust him.

As she slipped her hand into his, Maria consoled herself with the thought that if Lisandro did indeed return her safely home, anything between them would come to naught. That whatever feelings he stirred within her wouldn't matter. Their lives were set on different paths. She was supposed to become the wife of Juan Delgado Grandes.

But changes in circumstances might see your life alter in ways you didn't expect.

She did her best to ignore her heart as it softly whispered.

Take a chance.

At times, dealing with Maria was like trying to handle a skittish horse. Just when he thought she was beginning to relax in his company, she would suddenly pull away. She still didn't trust him, and that bothered Lisandro more than it should.

Anyone would think I was a monster.

He led her into the house. The downstairs rooms were either empty or had a few items of furniture covered by heavy Holland cloths. It was clear that no one lived in the house.

"Let's see what we can find upstairs,"

said Lisandro.

They wandered around on the first floor for a short time in the fading evening light, searching for candles and tapers. In a small sitting room, they came upon a hearth which had wood and kindling already set to be lit.

"Gracias a dios,"

a relieved Lisandro sighed.

He located a tinderbox, and soon the warmth of a fire had taken the chilly edge off the room.

Gus popped his head around the door a short while later. "Excellent. Just what we need. I've stayed here a couple of times on my way to and from the coast, and always leave a fire ready for when I arrive late at night. There are also some beds made up in the rooms farther along the corridor."

The idea of a comfy bed was full of promise—but Lisandro could not indulge. He had to keep watch tonight.

Thank heavens I managed to get a few hours of sleep in the coach this afternoon.

Gus settled into a chair close to the fire and gave Maria a cheery grin. "Hopefully this is your last night in England, Do?a Maria. If we leave early enough in the morning, we should make it to Portsmouth in time for you to sail on the late evening tide."

"Thank you. I am looking forward to going home,"

she replied.

A short while later, Stephen joined them. He was followed by a middle-aged gentleman carrying a large basket. Lisandro's stomach growled at the heady aroma of hot pie which filled the room.

And a jug of cider and some fresh bread. And cheese. Magnífico.

"This is Mister Granville. He looks after the house for me,"

said Stephen.

Gus welcomed the visitor with open arms. "And you brought me your wife's famous beef pies! Granville, you are a godsend."

After setting the provisions out on a nearby low table, Granville handed Gus a small glass jar filled with a pale liquid. "Be honest," he said.

All eyes were on the exchange. Stephen chuckled softly. "Here we go."

Gus opened the jar, held his nose to it and took a deep breath. "Hmm. Good structure. Not too acidic. I note a hint of something new. Have you added a cherry or two in?"

Granville grinned. "Plums."

The master smuggler lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip. "Oh. That's good. You are getting better at this."

He offered the jar to Stephen, who held up his hands in refusal. "Absolutely not. The last time I tried any of Granville's homemade brandy I spent a half day lolling about on the floor."

Granville's derisive snort had them all laughing. Lisandro could understand Stephen's stance; a man had to be careful when it came to moonshine liquor. It could be deadly.

Maria rose from her chair by the fire and Granville took a quick step back. He clearly hadn't registered her presence until now. A low, respectful bow was offered.

To Lisandro's surprise, Maria not only returned the greeting, but she held out her hand and took the jar from Gus. "Muchas gracias."

More than one pair of eyes went wide as she lifted the glass to her lips and downed a hearty mouthful of brandy. She swallowed, then nodded. "This is good. The plums could do with a little more crushing, but I think you have the makings of an excellent drink."

She downed some more of the brandy before holding it out toward Lisandro.

Por favor, no.

When he hesitated, she stepped closer. A playful grin sat on her lips. "Come now, Don de Aguirre. You're not going to disgrace our country by not accepting English hospitality, are you?"

He took the jar and, raising it to his mouth, took the merest of sips that he could without causing offence. When Maria lifted a disapproving eyebrow, he was tempted to go back for a second drink. However, duty and his need for sobriety stopped him.

Granville took the jar and emptied the last of its contents down his throat. After a short conversation with Stephen out in the hallway, he left the house.

"Come, let's eat,"

announced Stephen. "Granville will bring us some fresh bread and cheese at first light so we shall have food for the journey on to Portsmouth."

He tipped his head in Maria's direction. "My only regret about this whole adventure is that you and I didn't get to spend more time together, Do?a Maria. I have a feeling you would make for some amusing evenings."

Lisandro gritted his teeth. Stephen was far too easy with his smile and affable nature than a man had a right to be when it came to a woman like Maria de Elizondo. The woman he had been tasked with saving.

He liked his friends being comfortable with Maria; it made for an easier existence. What he didn't particularly care for was them seeing her as anything other than the woman they had helped rescue. A woman who was his alone to deliver safely home from England to Spain.

Maria could like Stephen and the others, but from a distance. He met his friend's gaze. The look he sent Stephen was clear and primal in its message.

Don't even think about it. I intend to make her mine.