Chapter 11

After they outran the pirate ship, Mariana had continued to worry at first, wondering if it was hiding just out of sight, waiting for them to let down their guard, but both Edward and the captain assured her that their boat was smaller and nimbler than the larger ship that had given chase.

All in all, it took just under a week to reach England, a time that the captain was particularly proud of.

Mariana had asked why they didn’t make for the shore when England came into sight, and Edward had explained that they would continue sailing until they reached Harwich, which he said was another day or two of sailing around the coast of England.

“I have friends there,” he explained. “They will provide us with transportation to Castleton.”

“That is your home?” she asked, her heart beginning to beat slightly faster. She had been aware of the impact of her decision, made in a matter of moments, but only now as the land was coming into sight did she truly realize that by choosing to come with him, she had changed the entire course of her life.

But when she met his trusting grey eyes, took his hand which was stretched out toward her, she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she had made the right decision.

“That is our home now,” he answered her. “Arthur – my brother – and my mother also live there, but there is plenty of space.”

“What is your mother going to think of a Catholic Spanish woman as your wife?” she asked.

“I think she is going to be rather surprised,” he said with a chuckle. “But somehow, I believe that if there was ever a woman who could stand up to her, it would be you.”

She didn’t like what his words insinuated. She might have backbone, but she had just recently left a life in which she had to continually stand up for herself. She didn’t welcome the idea of having to do so again. She wrinkled her nose at him. “I’m not entirely sure what that is supposed to mean.”

“My mother is not the warmest of women to people she doesn’t know well,” he said, squeezing her hand. “But once she knows you, I know she will love you. How could she not?”

“Hmm,” was all Mariana said, but before she could continue, the ship rounded a finger of land and a tall manor came into view.

“This is Newfield House,” he said, waving at the building in front of them. “It belongs to a friend of mine.”

Once the ship docked, the captain and crew agreed to wait onboard until preparations could be made to unload all of the goods. Rodrigo agreed to stay with the ship to help look after the treasure in the hold, despite the captain’s insistence that his men were happy to do so – likely a wise decision as a man who could so easily be bought was a risk when such a treasure was at stake. Mariana and Edward had barely reached the dock when a tall figure appeared before them.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” a voice boomed out, “Or is that the Duke of Sheffield on my shore?”

“William!” Edward called. “Good to see you.”

They clasped hands once they reached one another, and Mariana could see the man’s eyes flitting toward her. He was of similar age to her and Edward, and from what Edward had told her, was a man to be trusted.

“This is my friend, Lord Embury,” Edward said, introducing the man before beaming at Mariana. “And this is my soon-to-be bride, Do?a Palencia.”

“You might as well call me Mariana,” she murmured in greeting.

Lord Embury’s eyes widened in shock at Edward’s words.

“When you said you were hunting treasure, I didn’t realize that this is the sort of treasure you were looking for,” he said, making Edward laugh.

“You are right, my friend, but trust me when I say there is no greater treasure,” he said, causing a smile to light Lord Embury’s face.

“I understand completely,” he said, beginning to lead them away from the dock and up toward the house. “Mariana, you must meet my wife. She will be quite eager to get to know you, I am sure. I assume you will be staying overnight?”

“If you will have us,” Edward said, accepting the offer as they walked up the rise toward the towering house in the distance.

A lovely blond woman greeted them at the front door, a smile brightening her face when she was introduced to Mariana.

“How wonderful!” she said, her words quite genuine. “I didn’t think Edward would ever settle down. You must be as intriguing as you are beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Mariana said with a smile. “If all the English are as welcoming as you, perhaps I do not need to be as nervous as I am.”

“Charity is friendlier than most,” Edward murmured. “However, she is a wonderful ally to have on our side and will be a great friend to you, I am sure.”

Edward followed Lord Embury into his study, likely to discuss transporting the treasure. Mariana noticed that his eyes kept returning to the window, likely hopeful that Rodrigo was able to keep everything safe.

Meanwhile, Lady Embury continued to talk in her low, comforting voice as she showed Mariana up the stairs to her chamber.

“I shall put you in this room here,” she said, a twinkle in her eye as she spoke. “Edward shall be just down the hall.”

“You must know him well if you call one another by your Christian names,” Mariana couldn’t help but remark, and Lady Embury nodded.

“We have all known one another since we were children,” she said. “He and my husband have been the closest of friends. It was always understood that William and I were to marry, and I spent a great deal of time with the two of them. Edward is like a brother to me.”

Mariana reached out and placed a hand on hers. “I hope you and I can also be great friends.”

“I do not doubt it.”

“Might I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Edward himself told me how much he loves adventure, the hunt for the next thing. I know he has his responsibilities here now, but I worry…”

“About whether or not he might be content to stay in one place with a wife?”

“Yes,” Mariana said in a rush.

Lady Embury paused for a moment as she considered it. “I must admit that we had a difficult time picturing Edward settling down. He was always looking for the next adventure, the next hunt. He has traveled more than any other person I have met. And yet… when he looks at you, it is not with the same expression of excitement.”

Mariana didn’t succeed in hiding her shock – and disappointment – at Lady Embury’s words, causing the woman to laugh.

“There is more in his expression,” she said quickly. “There is contentment. As though, at long last, he has finally found what he was so desperately searching for.”

Mariana nodded, tears rushing to her eyes. She was not a woman to show such emotion in front of others – most especially a near-stranger – but she couldn’t help wrapping her arms around Lady Embury.

“Thank you,” she said, and Lady Embury said a muffled “of course” into her shoulder.

The four of them enjoyed a companionable dinner, becoming acquainted with one another, and Mariana felt quite at ease with Lord and Lady Embury. It was a great relief after all of her concerns, although she knew she had yet to meet Edward’s family.

“What will you do with this great treasure?” Lord Embury asked.

Edward and Mariana exchanged a look.

“Hide it for now,” Edward said. “At least, until we can find a way to return it to where it belongs.”

Mariana nodded. “Whenever that might be.”

“If you need any help, know that we are here for you,” Lord Embury pledged.

“We just might take you up on that,” Edward said. “Thank you.”

Once they retired, Mariana didn’t wait long after her maid had departed to slip into the corridor and knock lightly on Edward’s door. He opened it quickly, taking her hand and tugging her inside.

“Do you think our hosts would be scandalized if they discovered that I am here?” she asked, and he laughed loud and long.

“On the contrary,” he said. “I think they expected it.”

“Once we are at Castleton, we shall have to wait until we are married to be together.”

“Why?” he demanded, and she playfully hit his arm.

“Because your mother and brother will be there.”

“You do know that I am the duke?”

“Still,” she said. “I should not like to make a bad impression.”

“We shall see,” he said, leaning down, his lips sliding over hers. “However, I am not sure how I shall ever be able to wait.”

As for tonight, he most certainly took no time in showing her just exactly how he felt.