Page 3 of The Rogue’s Embrace

Two weeks later

Castle Tolosa, Spain

At the top of the ridge, Lisandro pulled back on the reins of his gray Barb and the horse slowed to a gentle walk. It was mid-morning on another fine day at his family's estate.

In the field below him, his workers were busy preparing the soil for the new wheat crop which would be planted at month's end. The strains of an old Spanish folk song drifted to his ears and he smiled. Somewhere down there was his leading hand, Manuel, happily entertaining everyone while they worked.

The horse came to a stop, and Lisandro sat back in the saddle, lifting his face to the sun. "La bendición de Dios,"

he whispered. This truly was a country blessed by God.

Spain was at peace. The war with France over. The only gray clouds on his horizon were the rumblings of discontent over the return of King Ferdinand. Lisandro privately hoped his country would not come to civil war, but the king was proving himself the worst of monarchs.

But for the time being, Lisandro was home and working to make the Tolosa estate financially strong once more. He had neglected things while away at war. Put his own life on hold while fighting to free his country of the influence of Napoleon.

Time at home had him thinking about many things, especially his future.

He was lonely. His bed was empty. Lisandro ached for someone whom he could share his life with and raise a family. A special woman to hold his heart. A wife.

Finding the right woman was proving more difficult than he had expected.

Such a pity that the beauty at that ball was Maria de Elizondo Garza. If she were anyone else, she would have been perfect.

A small cloud of dust on the road caught his eye, stirring him from his thoughts. Lisandro scowled. Few travelers ventured off the main thoroughfare, which ran through the old town of Tolosa on its way to the coast. This was a sleepy part of the world.

From his saddlebag, Lisandro produced a spyglass and trained it on the moving dust. It was a carriage, headed at speed toward Castle Tolosa. He couldn't quite make out the markings on the side; they appeared to be covered with black cloth.

Odd.

He gritted his teeth. In his experience, unexpected visitors rarely brought good news. And this guest clearly did not wish to announce his or her arrival.

Tucking the glass back into its bag, Lisandro turned his horse's head and made for home.

In the courtyard of the castle, he came upon the coach. After dismounting from his horse, he handed the reins to a servant and walked over to inspect the carriage. He lifted the black cloth which covered the door, frowning at the sight which met his gaze.

A black and white checkerboard shield, topped with a silver helmet and crest of feathers, was emblazoned on the side of the carriage. The Elizondo family coat of arms.

He swore under his breath. What the devil was his family's avowed enemy doing at his home?

"Don de Aguirre?"

Lisandro turned, and flinched. Diego de Elizondo was standing in front of him. Instead of waving his fists threateningly in Lisandro's face, Diego bent himself in a deep bow. There was no sign of a sword or a pistol on his person. What on earth is going on?

The hairs on the back of Lisandro's neck rose. Suspicion tingled throughout his body. Why would an apparently unarmed Diego be here? He feared to know the answer.

Remember who you are, Lisandro de Aguirre. This man is a guest; treat him with the courtesy that deserves. If he causes any problems, then you will be well within your rights to kill him.

He grimaced at the thought; Lisandro hoped that his days of bloodletting were well behind him.

"Don Diego, this is most unexpected. Have you perhaps lost your way?"

he asked, attempting a touch of levity.

The instant that Diego finally righted himself and met Lisandro's gaze, all thoughts of humor disappeared from his mind. The heir to the title of Duke of Villabona was a younger man than himself, but in the weeks since Lisandro had last set eyes on him, Diego appeared to have aged, a good ten years.

"I come in peace to seek your guidance and help. Could we perhaps speak somewhere in private, Don de Aguirre? I have a grave matter to discuss,"

replied Diego.

Lisandro patted his coat pocket, pleased that he had not given up the habit of carrying a loaded pistol with him at all times. Confident that he could defend himself if necessary, he dismissed the gathered servants.

He caught the eye of one of his most senior estate staff and the man nodded. If anything did happen to Lisandro, Diego wouldn't be leaving Castle Tolosa alive.

Contingencies in place, he led Diego out around the side of the castle through a stone archway and into a small but high-walled garden.

In the center of the garden was a wooden gazebo, its roof formed by ornamental grape vines. This was his mother's personal place to come and sit when she wished to escape the heat of the day during the height of summer.

Lush green English ivy trailed up the walls, covering almost every inch. While the effect was visually stunning, it also served a purpose. The glossy leaves provided a perfect form of sound insulation. Nothing echoed in the enclosed space.

He motioned toward the table and chairs which sat under the gazebo, but Diego shook his head. Instead, he reached into his coat pocket.

Lisandro stiffened.

Don't be a fool, Diego.

He sighed with undisguised relief as Diego pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to him.

Don Antonio de Elizondo. Duke of Villabona,

Maria is as yet unharmed—but this could change. She is far from here, so do not seek to rescue her.

The sum of 250,000 Spanish Dollars is to be handed to the head priest at Santiago Cathedral in Bilbao.

Once we know the ransom has been paid you will receive further instructions.

Lisandro read the note a second time.

All the saints in heaven.

He had dealt with enough of these sorts of situations to know that the people who had taken Maria were professionals. Only amateurs added threats of bodily harm to ransom notes. It was awful to think that the beauty from the wedding ball had been kidnapped. But he wasn't sure as to what it had to do with him.

Odd that the kidnappers stated the ransom amount in dollars not pesos. Only foreigners call our currency Spanish dollars. Perhaps that's a clue as to who could have taken Maria.

When he lifted his gaze from the paper, he asked the question which had been forefront of his mind from the second he saw the Elizondo family coach. "Why are you here?"

Diego pointed to the note. "Because my father has done everything, he can to find Maria. Even Don Delgado has combed the country far and wide. There is no sign of her."

"Don Delgado? What does the Count of Bera have to do with this?"

replied Lisandro.

"He and my sister are meant to be betrothed shortly."

Lisandro kept his opinion of Don Delgado to himself. Now was not the time to make mention of his lack of regard for the count. At least the man had done what he could to find Maria.

"Don de Aguirre, I am here because while our families are sworn enemies, I believe you are the only man in Spain who stands any real chance of finding my sister alive and returning her to us," he added.

Diego's words set Lisandro's nerves on edge. What exactly did he know about Lisandro's past that would have allowed him to form that sort of opinion?

"I am but a simple wheat farmer,"

Lisandro replied, keeping his voice steady.

Diego, to his credit, met and held Lisandro's gaze. "But you were more than that when you helped force the French to release the king from imprisonment. I have heard a whisper that you worked with the English during the war. Do I need to go on?"

asked Diego.

It was common knowledge that Lisandro had been personally thanked by King Ferdinand for his efforts in returning him to the Spanish throne. But Lisandro's clandestine dealings with the British were not something he was keen to make public.

He held up his hand. "Enough. Let us agree that I have a history of dealing with difficult situations and leave it at that, though I do find it somewhat strange that you are the one who has come to me for help rather than your father. From the way you have disguised your family coat of arms on the travel coach, I take it that the Duke of Villabona doesn't know you are here."

Diego looked back toward the entrance of the garden before turning and stepping in close.

"I fear that someone in my father's house is involved in Maria's disappearance.

And they must have been working with someone in Zarautz in order to coordinate the kidnapping of my sister.

I don't know who or how, but I feel it in my bones.

A loyal family advisor, Se?or Perez, was attacked when my sister was taken, and that also gives me great cause for concern.

The man was found dazed and wandering the beach several hours after Maria disappeared.

If whoever is behind this outrage is prepared to attack an honorable old man such as him, who knows what else they will do to my family? I think it imprudent to involve my father at this juncture.

Too many eyes are watching him."

"Then why not pay the money? While what they are asking for is a king's ransom, the kidnappers must know that your father will be able to find it,"

replied Lisandro.

"If only it was that simple. This is not the first ransom note we have received. An earlier amount was already paid. When we delivered it to the head priest at the cathedral in Bilbao, instead of handing over Maria, he gave us the second demand. The unfortunate man was most apologetic,"

said Diego. The young man tugged the hat from his head and raked his fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes and screwed up his face.

Lisandro doubted Diego could look any more uncomfortable. He must have swallowed a great deal of pride before deciding to come cap-in-hand to his enemy, asking for help.

"My father has fallen out of favor with the king. I have a horrible suspicion that powerful men are behind all this—men who don't care whether Maria is returned safely to us or not."

You, poor man. I cannot begin to imagine what you must be going through.

Pity for the son of his enemy filled Lisandro's heart. No one deserved to suffer the way Diego de Elizondo had.

"My father would beat me if he heard me say this— but Don de Aguirre, I think you are a man of honor. I am begging you to help save my sister."

Lisandro had dealt with kidnappers before; he even had friends who did it professionally in return for a hefty fee. But the tenuous state of his own finances wouldn't enable him to get very far if he had to pay his way in order to find Maria.

"I am not sure how much use I would be, considering the situation between our families,"

he replied.

"If you want money, name your price. I will pay whatever it takes to get Maria back,"

said Diego.

Lisandro scrubbed at his face with his hands. For some odd reason, the thought of taking money from his foe didn't quite sit right with him.

But this might be an opportunity to gain something else of greater value than just money. Perhaps even finally put an end to this ridiculous feud—and create a bond between us.

"You have been honest with me, Diego, so it is only right that I tell you my purse is almost threadbare, and I will need money to fund this mission. As to any other payment—I don't want your gold. My reward price, which is not negotiable, is that if I manage to rescue Maria, you allow me to attempt a friendship with her."

Diego frowned. "I don't understand."

How do I put this? Hmm.

"I found your sister to be both beautiful and enchanting; she and I made a small connection that night on the terrace at Palacio de Narros. A connection that I would like to see grow,"

replied Lisandro.

Realization appeared on the other man's face. He let out a low whistle. "That's a high price you ask of both my family and Maria."

If Lisandro did manage to find Maria and bring her home, there was every chance that at some point in the journey, the two of them would find themselves alone. A young unwed, Spanish noblewoman could easily lose her reputation if that ever came to light. A reputation which would only remain secure if she somehow found a way to marry her liberator.

Of course, if he put his mind to it, he could find ways to avoid being alone with her. But perhaps he wouldn't; and in doing so Lisandro could turn the situation to his advantage. Gain the opportunity to get to know Maria. And she to change her mind about him.

Say yes. Let her and I discover what could be possible between us.

"Diego, I promise I will do everything I can to find your sister. Whatever else comes after that, you have my solemn word that Maria will be given as much choice as possible," he said.

Diego nodded. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a gold chain. A religious medallion hung on the end of it.

Maria was wearing that the night of the ball.

"This is Maria's. She usually wears it but must have forgotten to take it with her when she went for that ill-fated walk on the beach. If you find her, give this to my sister. She will know who sent you."

Lisandro nodded. It made sense for him to have something to give to Maria to let her know that he was working on behalf of her family. Considering the long, dark history between the Aguirre and Elizondo clans, he could see how it would be hard for her to trust him without some form of proof that he was not in league with her kidnappers.

Lisandro beckoned toward the nearby gazebo. "Come, sit—tell me everything you know. However insignificant it may seem, do not leave out a single detail. It may mean the difference between getting Maria back or holding a rosary service for her."

Later that day, Lisandro sent Diego home in his unmarked coach with a solemn promise that he would do all he could. After accepting a bag of silver coins and bidding Maria's brother farewell, Lisandro went in search of his mother.

If he was about to go and rescue his potential future wife, the dowager Duchess of Tolosa should at least have fair warning.