Once a Soldier (Rogues Redeemed) (26 page)

“Your royal highness, sir,” Claude said nervously. “I was part of Baudin’s force that came through your country last year. The statue was stolen because of the jewels, but halfway over the mountains, the general said it was too heavy, he would take the jewels and burn the statue.”

When Sofia gasped in horror, Claude continued, “I am a good Catholic and felt the same way, your highness. To burn the Blessed Mother would have been sacrilege! So I and another man hid her in a cave not far from the road. Ever since, I have been troubled by the knowledge that she was there alone, stolen from those who love her. So when I saw Jean Marie, I told him of the statue and begged that he rescue her so she could come home.”

Taking up the story, Jean Marie said, “I found Captain Oliviera and asked him for permission to release Claude so he could lead me to the cave where Our Lady waited. He agreed and even gave us a cart to bring the statue back.”

“You have done a great service for San Gabriel, Jean Marie,” Sofia said warmly.

Jean Marie glanced at his friend. “Claude would like to ask for the same sanctuary you offered me, your highness.”

Claude bobbed his head. “Your country is very beautiful and I feel that the Blessed Mother led me back here.”

Sofia smiled. “Then welcome to your new home, Claude Fontaine.” She took Justin’s arm, thinking that truly, it was a day of miracles.

As they followed her father, brother, and Colonel Duval into the castle, Justin said under his breath, “I’m your affianced husband?”

Suddenly worried, she said, “Are you not? We had discussed marriage. Do you not wish that anymore?”

“Of course I do!” Justin grinned. “But I think we need to make sure our stories match before your father interrogates me. I’m hoping that he will consider an alliance with the Ballard shipping empire to be worthy of his only daughter.”

“He will,” Sofia said confidently. “You saw his interest when you said you had found a route for exporting our wines. San Gabriel must become more involved with the world beyond our borders.” Her brow furrowed. “Because I thought marriage impossible, I haven’t considered how we would live. Where we would live. What might I expect?” She pulled Justin into the alcove below the steps that led up to the family floor so they could talk in private. “I wish to see more of the world, but . . . but I can’t imagine leaving San Gabriel forever.”

“You won’t have to,” Justin assured her. “We would travel regularly. To Edinburgh, to meet my family. Homes in London and Porto. And we would come here, because there will be strong business reasons, as well as family ones. Do you think you will like that? I hope so!”

A slow smile spread over her face as she contemplated her future. “I will love such a life! Most of all because you will be at my side.”

“Mi querida!”
Justin pulled her into a kiss that lifted her toes from the floor.

She kissed him back, and for the first time she released the full force of her love. By the time the kiss ended, they were both reeling. “We’d better go upstairs,” Justin said huskily. “Or we risk behaving very badly!”

“We had best marry quickly!” Sofia agreed as she took his arm. They were halfway up the stairs when she said in a low voice, “I had become used to the idea that I would ascend to the throne next year. Now that has changed again. But I think I would have served my country well, wouldn’t I?”

“You would,” Justin agreed instantly. “You would have been remembered as Queen Sofia the Great and Wise. But you will still serve your country,
querida.
” He raised her hand and kissed her fingers. “We will serve San Gabriel together.”

Chapter 35

“H
ow does it feel to be back in England?” Will asked.

Athena couldn’t tear herself away from the window of the carriage that was taking them through the countryside to London after their early-morning disembarkation. “Wonderful. Strange.
Green!
”

He laughed. “Definitely green. Our reward for enduring English rain.”

She settled back in the seat and took Will’s hand. Life had changed so much in the last weeks, not least because she and Sofia were both married women now. After grilling Justin Ballard on his family, wealth, and business prospects, King Carlos had given his blessing to his daughter’s marriage. The wedding had followed quickly because Athena and Will would be leaving when he recovered enough to travel, and Sofia said it was unthinkable that she marry without Athena by her side.

A royal wedding was just what San Gabriel needed to celebrate the end of the wars and the return of the king and prince, so it had been a very grand affair. Sofia and Justin had both blazed with happiness.

During the feast that followed, Uncle Carlos summoned Athena to the head of the royal table and made her a contessa and a hero of San Gabriel, complete with impressively sealed letters of patent and a bejeweled badge of rank that hung from a gold chain. She could wear it on grand occasions.

Carlos had made the presentation with laughter, but also sincere thanks for her services to his kingdom. He’d added that the title could be passed down through the female line, as well as the male. Athena suspected Sofia’s hand in that.

When she returned to her seat, Will grinned and said, “I’ve always wanted to kiss a countess.” And then he had done so, to the cheers of the other wedding guests.

The wedding of Tom Murphy and Maria Cristina Oliviera had been smaller but equally joyous. Tom had bought a handsome villa on the edge of the town, and had carried his bride over the threshold with hoots and laughter.

They were both fine weddings, but as Athena told Will that night, neither could match the drama of marrying a man on his deathbed. After which he’d taken her to their bed and proved how thoroughly he’d recovered.

The thought made Athena blush and turn her gaze out the window again. Though she’d learned she wasn’t with child yet, her female intuition said it wouldn’t be long.

She’d never been happier in her life. With Will, she had passion and trust and a deep intimacy that belonged to the two of them alone. With him beside her, she could face anything. “What time do you think we’ll reach your brother’s house?”

“Just as the midday meal is served, I hope,” Will said cheerfully. “Arriving in time for meals is an old joke between us.”

She saw the fondness on his face and squeezed his hand. “You are going to like being in the same country with your brother, aren’t you?”

“Enormously. And he’ll be glad not to have to worry about me so much.” Will slid his arm around her shoulders. “We have hours to go. Why not take a nice nap against me?”

“That shouldn’t sound appealing when we’ve been cooped up together on a small packet ship for days, yet oddly, it does.” She stretched her legs out and settled down so that her head was on his shoulder and her arm draped across his waist. “Though if we get bored, there is something that I’ve always wanted to try in a carriage.”

Will gave a shout of laughter. “Now that I’ve recovered from my wounds, you’ve developed a wicked imagination.” He kissed her temple. “Wickedly good.”

She dozed off, smiling. She had good reason to fear London’s society, but Will she trusted for anything.

* * *

“We’re almost there.” Will pointed at the grand building ahead on the right. “That’s Damian’s. The club is busiest in the evening, but some members gamble through the night and a fair number come by for a midday meal and a hand or two of cards.”

“Impressive! You’ll have to take me inside while we’re in London.” Athena gave him a teasing glance. “Or is that one of those things that women shouldn’t do?”

“Mac will be delighted to take you for a tour. Damian’s makes a point of being a safe, respectable place for women to visit. A bit fast, but appealingly so. Mac’s wife has a lovely little perfume boutique for the customers and she does very well with it, too.”

“She’s a perfumer?”

“Yes, it’s been a tradition among the women of her family for generations.” The carriage rumbled to a stop in front of the house just beyond the club. “Here’s Mac’s house. I hope they’re in residence. If they aren’t at their country place, he’ll probably be over at Damian’s.”

The guard opened the passenger door and let down the steps. Will exited, then offered his hand to Athena. She didn’t need help to get out of a carriage, but she loved his little courtesies. Plus, it was an opportunity to touch her husband, and she would never have too many of those.

She took Will’s arm and they were moving toward the entrance to the house when a portly, fashionable, and clearly foxed older man emerged from Damian’s. He glanced around as if trying to get his bearings.

His gaze locked on Athena. “Lady Whore!” he cried with delight as he walked unsteadily toward her. “So glad you’re back in London! I heard a rumor that you’d died, but damn me if I’m not happy to see you again!”

Athena froze as solid as if ice water had been poured over her. She’d barely set foot on a London street and already her worst fear had been thrown in her face. She wanted to run. Or hide. Or vomit.

As she struggled to breathe, Will barked, “Sir!” in a voice that would terrify even the most hardened soldier.

He laid a warm, protective palm on the small of Athena’s back and continued, “You quite mistake the matter. My wife is the Contessa de la Alcantara and I assume you did not intend to offer her insult.
Did you?
” His tone promised that any insult would be followed by swift and painful consequences.

The drunk’s eyes widened and he stammered, “N-no, no, not at all!” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “A mistake, made a mistake. My sincere apologies, my lady. Contessa.”

He bowed so deeply that he almost toppled over. “It’s just that you have such a look of a woman I remember, damn me if you don’t.” He straightened and blinked at her. “You’re much younger, though, and now I see your features aren’t hers. But her height and grace and presence . . . !”

He looked wistful with memory. “Very sorry to have upset you, but I was so delighted to see you. Her.
Hoped
you were her. Most beautiful woman I ever saw, and the most charming.” Muttering to himself, he moved away.

Will wrapped an arm around Athena’s shoulders. “Please don’t faint here. It will be much more comfortable to do inside.”

Shaking and grateful for Will’s support, Athena slid her arm around his waist and together they resumed walking toward the entrance of his brother’s house. “I don’t know if that incident was a sign that I should leave London forever,” she said in a shaky voice, “or that it means that things can only get better.”

“The latter,” he said reassuringly. “That fellow was a horrid introduction to your homeland. But remember that he was delighted and complimentary about your mother’s beauty and charm, so it wasn’t all bad.”

“You’re very good at finding silver linings, my lord,” she said wryly as they climbed the steps and Will wielded the heavy knocker. Collecting her shaken nerves, she added, “I’ll try to see his words as a compliment.”

The door was opened by a rugged-looking male servant. He smiled with unprofessional enthusiasm and announced in a stentorian voice, “Lord Masterson! Welcome home!” He stood aside and made a grand gesture for them to enter.

The entryway was well proportioned and elegantly furnished, though a strange statue of a man with an elephant head lent a touch of the exotic. Before Athena could study the stone image more closely, the door at the opposite end of the foyer swung open and a man bounded through. “Will,
finally
!”

He was as tall and broad as Will, and he grabbed his visitor in a crushing and very un-English bear hug. His hair was a slightly warmer shade of brown and his eyes were of two different colors, but no one would ever mistake them for anything but brothers. Without another word being spoken, Athena could see the bond between them, and how they had been each other’s salvation.

“Easy, Mac, easy!” Will laughed as he hugged his brother back. “I was on my deathbed a few weeks ago, so show some respect for my aging bones!”

“Sorry!” Mackenzie stepped back, alarmed. “Your deathbed?”

“It could have been worse. I’ll explain later.” Will took Athena’s arm and brought her to his side. “Athena, you’ll have guessed that this reprobate is my brother, Sir Damian Mackenzie. Mac, meet Athena, Lady Masterson and Contessa de la Alcantara.”

Athena braced herself for shock and perhaps disapproval, but Mackenzie beamed at her with real delight. “What a pleasure this is, my new sister-in-law! Justin Ballard wrote that Will might return with a most magnificent woman at his side. I’m glad you got her to the altar before she knew you well enough to escape, Will.”

Laughing, Athena offered her hand. “The pleasure is mine, Sir Damian. Will tried to explain his little brother, but he did you less than justice.”

“Call me Mac or Mackenzie.” Her brother-in-law clasped her hand warmly between both of his. “Will has been trying to explain me for years, but it’s an uphill task.”

Athena noticed the heavy gold ring Mackenzie wore. She looked closer. “That looks like Will’s signet, but there’s a black bar across it?”

“The bar sinister, the mark of illegitimacy in heraldry,” Mackenzie explained. “Will gave it to me for a birthday present one year. Sort of a private joke.”

Athena said thoughtfully, “Perhaps you should have one made for me, Will.”

Her husband chuckled. “Isn’t the wedding ring I gave you when I recovered sufficient?”

“It is.” They smiled at each other in what she suspected was a ridiculously sentimental way.

“My brother Will, you have returned intact from the field of battle!” This voice was female with a very faint musical accent, and belonged to a dark, spectacularly beautiful woman who flowed across the room to give Will a hug.

“You look splendid, Kiri!” After hugging her in return, Will put his hands on her shoulders and studied her. “Clearly, the baby has arrived. A godson or goddaughter?”

“A most lovely little girl. Damian dotes on her madly and says that she looks just like me. My brother Adam agrees and says she’ll likely be a hellion. You shall meet our little Caroline later, but she sleeps now. Pray present me to your fortunate wife!”

“Athena, this is Lady Kiri, my sister-in-law, the perfumer,” Will said. “I haven’t said much about her because mere words can’t do her justice.”

Kiri laughed. “Flatterer. Lady Masterson, may I call you Athena since we are now sisters?”

“Of course.” Again, Athena offered her hand and the other woman clasped it.

Athena realized how little Will had said about his brother’s wife other than that she was adventurous and had interesting ideas. Though not as tall as Athena, Kiri was tall, and she was lovely in an exotic and un-English way, with glossy dark hair and striking green eyes. “Do you prefer Kiri or Lady Kiri?”

“Kiri, please. My father was the Duke of Ashton, my mother a Hindu lady, which is why I am shockingly un-English,” she said with a smile. “But come, we were about to sit down to our luncheon. After you have refreshed yourselves, you must join us.”

“I see my timing hasn’t failed,” Will said with a laugh.

Athena studied Kiri thoughtfully. So a duke’s daughter had married the illegitimate Mackenzie. No woman would blame her—Will’s brother was almost as attractive as Will—but it did explain why Will’s attitude to Athena’s parentage was so casual.

As Kiri escorted them upstairs to Will’s usual rooms, Athena gave thanks that Will had been right that she’d be welcomed by his family. But she couldn’t help but wonder how much wider a welcome she would receive.

* * *

Over a fine luncheon, Mackenzie said, “Several of the Westerfield Academy old boys and their wives are in town, Will. Shall I invite them for an informal dinner to see you and meet Athena? They’ll all want assurance that you’ve survived the wars intact.”

Will glanced at Athena. “Are you willing? I’d like to see my friends, and they’ll all want to meet you. I think they feared I was becoming a dour old bachelor.” When she hesitated, he said, “Think of it as getting the worst of London over quickly.”

“Of course you must see your friends, but I have nothing suitable to wear,” she pointed out, glad she had an excuse. “Even when the rest of our luggage arrives, I have nothing that isn’t old and unfashionable.”

Kiri leaned forward, her eyes bright. “Athena, I have something of a reputation for making friends look their most beautiful on short notice. Will you allow me to turn you out in style? Though you are taller, we are not dissimilar in build, and I have a gown that will suit you very well, with a few minor modifications. Please?”

“She’s not exaggerating,” Mackenzie said. “Give Kiri a few hours and you’ll be fit for the finest society in London.”

Athena hesitated, feeling awkward and out of place. Meet so many of Will’s grand friends with no time to prepare mentally? Reminding herself that she could face anything with him at her side, she said, “I shall place myself in your hands, Kiri. It will be interesting to see what you can do with such unpromising material!”