Page 20 of The Rogue’s Embrace

The Port of Bilbao, Northern Spain

Ten days after leaving England.

Maria shivered. She wrapped her arms around herself, but she wasn't cold. Her body thrummed with eagerness to be off the boat and on dry land.

From the moment the Night Wind had sailed past Cape Higuer on the border of France and Spain, she had been unable to do anything but stand on deck and stare across the water to the Spanish coast.

Just after dawn, she had caught a glimpse of the conical, towering peak of Mount Serantes. They were nearly home.

It was almost midday, and as the yacht sailed through the Port of Bilbao and into the estuary of the River Nervión, a hint of worry crept into her mind. It was some sixty miles from Bilbao to Tolosa. A lot could happen on the road in between the two cities.

Lisandro came to stand alongside her, the wind whipping through his long hair. He normally tied it back with a leather thong but this morning he had not.

Maria grinned up at him. "You are a fine, handsome specimen of Spanish nobility."

She put a hand to her mouth. She hadn't intended to say those words aloud.

"Thank you,"

he said. He chuckled knowingly. "Never let it be said that you are not an open book, Maria de Elizondo."

His fingers touched hers and they locked hands. Whatever did happen to them over the next few days and afterwards, they were in this adventure together.

"Where do you plan for us to stay in Bilbao?"

she asked.

"I know a place not far from Santiago Cathedral. I want to speak to the head priest as soon as possible about the men he dealt with for your ransom. Once I have done that, we will need to hire a coach and make preparations to leave tomorrow."

The plan was for them to leave Bilbao at first light and make for Eibar, some thirty miles away. It would take a huge effort on their part and a number of changes of horses, but the further away from Bilbao they could make it in one day the better. Talking to the priest was the only way they could get a clue as to who was behind Maria's kidnapping, and if they still posed a threat to her here in Spain.

"As soon as the boat docks, we will head to the inn. It is not the best accommodation that you might ever have had but it's clean and out of the way. We should be safe there,"

said Lisandro.

"If they can manage a bath for me, I don't mind where I sleep,"

she replied. Days at sea had left her hair dry with salt and her skin badly in need of a good scrub.

If only it was you giving me a bath and washing my hair. Now that would be perfect.

He leaned over and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. Since the night they had first kissed, these moments of gentle affection had become a part of their ever-growing relationship. Of their deepening bond.

"As long you are sleeping in my arms, that is all that matters,"

said Lisandro.

They had taken to spending their evenings huddled in their private spot on the weather deck, sharing tender moments. Every kiss or touch of Lisandro's hands sent ripples of pleasure and need through Maria's body.

While the nights spent curled up together in the cramped cabin bed were wonderful, she longed for a time when they could have an open discussion about their future. They had not spoken of a life together, but she sensed this was more due to Lisandro not wishing to tempt fate rather than for lack of wanting it. At the moment. they both seemed content with sealing their tacit agreement with soft kisses and gentle words.

But Maria longed for the time when she and Lisandro could become lovers.

She smiled up at him as he kissed her once more.

"You might want to go down to the main deck and collect your things. I have left a leather hat on your bed, and you should put it on before we arrive. We have to assume that someone might be watching any foreign vessels as they come into port, and taking interest in the passengers as they disembark," he said.

Lisandro's words, while reminding her of the possible perils ahead, gave Maria comfort. He was constantly thinking of how best to manage any threat to their safety. But who was looking out for him?

I should be.

"Lisandro, please promise me that you will not take any unnecessary risks while we are in Bilbao."

"Believe me, I am always careful. And unlike in London, I don't have any friends in this city whom I could call upon if we ran into serious trouble."

Until they made it all the way to Castle Tolosa there was no one whom they could completely trust. Who knew how many people had been paid off by the kidnappers? The fact that they had used the head priest of the Cathedral of Santiago as part of their scheme was a clear indication as to how little regard they had for the rules of society.

Lisandro slipped a hand about Maria's waist and pulled her close. She lifted her face, gratefully accepting his tender kiss on her lips.

"I will not do anything that puts us in danger. The visit to the head priest is only so we may gain some understanding of where any threats to us may come from. Unknown enemies are the worst to fight,"

he replied.

She kissed him one last time, then drew away. "I will go and collect our things."

As she headed toward the ladder which led down to the main deck, Maria stopped and looked back at him. Had Lisandro caught the meaning behind her words? She had said our things deliberately, with good reason. Once they were back on dry land, it would be just the two of them.

Lisandro, you and I are in this together. Not just now, but forever.