Page 27 of The Rogue’s Embrace

Maria managed to hold her nerve steady for the rest of the morning and the short ride to the convent of Saint Casilda. To say that the abbess was surprised to see the Duke of Tolosa and the daughter of the Duke of Villabona on her doorstep would have been an understatement.

"I will ride on to your home and present myself to your father. If things go well, I shall return here later this afternoon. If there is any problem, I will try to send word," he said.

She wiped away tears, determined not to break down. "Diego will not fail us."

"I hope so. Our lives may depend on it."

The response of her brother to Lisandro's secret missive the previous night would be crucial in this final stage of the rescue. Things were already set in motion, and Maria could only pray that Diego would come to their meeting point well prepared for any trouble.

Lisandro patted the side of his coat. Under it was a loaded pistol; the matching one was strapped to his leg. She had sat on the giant bed in Lisandro's room and observed him dressing. Apart from the pistols, there were three small knives hidden about his clothing. The only obvious weapon was his ceremonial sword which hung from the belt around his waist. If anyone tried to disarm Lisandro, they were going to be in for the fight of their lives.

She wanted to be there, standing alongside him when he met with her father, but she understood the best place for her was somewhere where she could be protected. If things went according to plan, and the villains who had sought to harm her were unmasked, there would come a time when she could seek justice.

Lisandro walked over to his horse, and Maria followed him. They embraced one last time and he gifted her with a tender kiss.

She stared into his brown eyes, praying that it would not be for the last time. "You come back to me, Lisandro de Aguirre. I am not finished with you."

"I promise I will. We have a wedding to plan and a life to live together."

He mounted his horse and turned its head toward the front gate of the convent. With a ‘ya,' he dug in his heels and the horse quickly rode away.

Maria prayed she would see him again.