Page 32 of The Rogue’s Embrace

It wasn't how he had ever imagined asking for a woman's hand in marriage but considering the kind of day it had already been, Lisandro decided he should just go along with things. Besides, it wasn't every day that a hundred-year feud came to an end.

I hope it is coming to an end.

Seated around the table in the Duke of Villabona's private suite were himself, Maria, the duke and duchess, and Diego. In front of them lay an aged piece of parchment.

He had never seen the document before, but he knew of its existence, and of what his forebears had agreed to when they'd signed it. An agreement they had then reneged upon.

The duke pointed to a line of scrawl. "You can see clearly that it was in the terms of the contract. A contract the Aguirre family failed to fulfil."

"Papá,"

said Maria.

"Well, it does,"

he replied.

Lisandro held up his hand. "If I may. Yes, the contract stipulates those terms. My understanding is that my great-great-grandfather, the Duke of Tolosa, took grievous offense at the Duke of Villabona making unwelcome advances to his wife. That was why the final part of the deal was not completed."

The duke snorted. "Yes, well I heard she was quite willing."

"Papá!"

cried Maria.

Lisandro didn't respond to the insult to his family. He, too, had heard those rumors. But if they were ever going to get this feud settled, both parties would have to make concessions. It was ridiculous that things had ever been allowed to get to this stage in the first place. Two pigheaded great-great-grandsires had condemned their descendants to keeping up a pointless feud which could have so easily been resolved if they had been willing to put their stubborn prides aside all those long years ago.

"Don de Elizondo, would you care to offer up an apology for the behavior of your grandsire?"

Lisandro said. He calmly met the duke's gaze.

"Will you fulfil the contract?"

A look passed between them—a silent agreement that this whole discussion meant more than just settling an old dispute. It was the establishment of a valuable and trusted friendship

The two of them would do what they could in order to make this part of Spain safe against the machinations of the king. Men like Lisandro and Antonio had to take a stand and stop Spain from spiraling into a bloody civil war.

"Yes. I will fulfil the contract. Today. And on this exact day every year,"

replied Lisandro.

"Well then, I offer my family's formal apology for any offense caused to the late Duchess of Tolosa and succeeding generations,"

announced the duke.

Lisandro rose and offered Antonio his hand. It was quickly accepted. The ancient feud was finally over. There were smiles all around the table.

Lisandro nodded toward Maria as he retook his seat. She beamed at him. "And now, Don de Elizondo, I wish to discuss the matter of requesting Maria's hand in marriage."

The smile disappeared from Antonio's face. "I beg your pardon?"

Maria maintained her own smile. Lisandro might have caught Antonio unawares, but that didn't mean he was going to back down.

"I asked for your daughter's hand in marriage. For her to become the Duchess of Tolosa. What better way to finally put the feud to rest than by uniting our two families?"

replied Lisandro.

Antonio's gaze fell on Maria. "But what about Don Delgado Grandes? I thought you were set on marrying him."

Never. That was all your idea. I don't even like the man.

"Since the two of you couldn't come to terms on the betrothal and dowry, I don't think it likely that he is still interested in marrying me. Besides . . . I have been away from home for many weeks in the company of another man. You cannot offer full assurances to the count that I am still pure," she said.

Her mother gasped. Diego punched the table. But, to his credit, Lisandro didn't bat an eyelid.

While Antonio's face remained expressionless, Maria noted that his right hand was fisted so tight that the knuckles were all white. Violence was not out of the question.

"Is this what you want, Maria? I am sure Don de Aguirre would never call your honor into question if you declined his offer,"

replied the duke, his voice dark with menace.

"Yes, it is what I want. I have already accepted his proposal,"

she replied.

Maria lifted her hand from under the table and slipped on the emerald betrothal ring. "When I first saw Lisandro in London, I thought he was the villain who had kidnapped me. I did as you would expect from a dutiful daughter and struck him solidly in the face. It took time for me to come to trust him, but I did. And then I fell in love. Papá, this will be more of a marriage than anything I could have ever had with Don Delgado. I ask for your blessing."

Antonio glanced across at Lisandro. "Did she really hit you?"

Lisandro nodded. "Yes, and she made my nose bleed. My friends had to drag her away before she could strike me a second time."

"Good. Then you know that my daughter has a temper and won't be caged. She will demand of you an equal partnership in your union,"

replied Antonio.

"I have already agreed to that condition."

The Duke of Villabona sat, slowly shaking his head. "What a strange day. So many changes—some for the bad, but many for the good. Yes. You may marry my daughter."

With a loud whoop, Maria leapt to her feet and into Lisandro's embrace. It didn't matter that her parents and brother were still seated close by. She set her lips to his and gave him the kiss her heart demanded.