Part 3 (1/2)
When she reached the correct floor, she led him down a pa.s.sage to the left. She pa.s.sed several doors to open the one at the end. As she stepped inside, she said, ”The castle has very few servants now because their labor is needed elsewhere, but the room should be clean. There may be a little dust, but this guest room has the best view.”
She used her candlestick to light the lamp on the desk. Again, the furniture was spa.r.s.e with only a shabby canopy bed, a wardrobe, a desk, two wooden chairs, and a washstand, but under their feet was another splendid tile floor.
She checked the pitcher on the washstand to confirm there was water inside. ”I hope you'll be comfortable here. San Gabriel may be in a poor way, but the traditions of hospitality are strong.”
Will set his saddlebags on the floor. ”No need to apologize. This is the best accommodation I've seen in months.” He crossed to the window and gazed out at the valley. He was high enough to be above the mist, which was a pale fluffy coverlet over the valley. Above, a handful of stars and a quarter moon brightened the sky. ”I look forward to seeing the valley by daylight.”
”When you've had a chance to settle in, wine awaits in the family sitting room, which is the door opposite the stairs. I'll collect some food to go with it.”
”And then questions. In both directions.” He hung his greatcoat on a wooden peg. ”I'll join you soon. May I a.s.sume that the Olivieras will find accommodations for my batman, Sergeant Murphy?”
”You may. Though it's an open question whether anyone down there actually gets any sleep tonight.” She smiled and pulled the door closed behind her. The light of his candle caught a s.h.i.+mmer of auburn highlights sliding down her braid.
He checked the old wardrobe, which had a st.u.r.dy lock and key. That should keep his guns away from any curious children. He set his saddlebags and carbine inside, then locked the door. After was.h.i.+ng his face and combing his overlong hair, he considered lying down on the bed for a few minutes, then decided against it because he'd fall dead asleep. Best to find Miss Markham and start that conversation, for he had many questions of his own for his magnificent hostess.
Chapter 5.
Athena descended to the castle kitchen and collected a basket of bread, cheese, and other foods that required no preparation. As she added olives and almonds to her basket, she heard musical instruments being added to the Olivieras' festivities.
So much happiness was infectious and she smiled as she returned upstairs. The sitting room had been used for small family gatherings for centuries, she suspected, and the wooden furniture had been shaped by the bodies of uncounted Alcantaras and their friends. Unlike the grand public rooms a floor below, it was relaxed and welcoming.
Shaken by her meeting with Major Masterson, she concentrated very hard on slicing cheese and sausage and bread. A simple meal, but the wine needed no apologies.
She had just finished laying out plates and napkins when the major entered the room. He looked so solid and handsome and English that she wanted to hug him.
She hadn't realized how hungry she was for the sight of a countryman. Here on the Peninsula, it had been years since she'd seen such a fine strapping fellow. Even in England, there weren't many men she had to look up to.
Even more compelling than those impressive broad shoulders was the humor and intelligence in his eyes. She hoped he'd stay for at least a few days.
Knowing she shouldn't stare, she lowered her gaze and poured two goblets of red wine. ”I imagine you need this even more than food. Unless you're so accustomed to having guns pointed at you that your nerves are untouched.”
”Anyone who claims not to be upset after staring down the barrel of a rifle is lying.” His brows rose when he took his first sip of the wine. ”But Sergeant Oliviera wasn't lying when he said the wine was exceptional.”
Not wanting to think about the future of wine production in San Gabriel, Athena set out the platters of food. ”I haven't much to offer, but this wine does go well with the local cheeses and sausage.”
”Ambrosia.” He took a seat and transferred samples of everything to his plate. ”I'll try not to act like a starving wolf. It's been a long day.”
As the major bit enthusiastically into the bread and cheese, Athena took the opposite chair. ”My first and most important question is whether King Carlos and Prince Alexandre are on their way home. Have you heard anything about them?”
Masterson shook his head as he neatly cut a pickled onion into smaller pieces. ”There was no word before we left Toulouse. Their fate is a mystery, though the man who sent me here is investigating what became of them. It doesn't look good.”
”I was afraid of that,” she said, wis.h.i.+ng her pessimism had been misplaced. ”Most people don't know that San Gabriel exists, so who sent you? And why?”
”I was asked to visit by a British Army intelligence officer who was concerned about conditions here.”
”I'm glad to know that someone is concerned for San Gabriel,” Athena said tartly. ”What does he want you to do?”
”Observe how the country is faring after the ravages of the French,” Masterson said succinctly. ”And if aid is needed, determine what kind.”
She stared at him. Grave gray English eyes, not dark brown. ”Someone actually wants to help? The situation is difficult, and we haven't known where to turn.”
”San Gabriel contributed a great deal to the fight against Napoleon, particularly given the size of the country,” Masterson explained. ”War is expensive in all ways. Lives, pain, treasure. Now that Napoleon is gone, it's time to start picking up the pieces. Since there was no fighting on British soil, we're in better shape to help our allies.”
”That's a fine and n.o.ble sentiment,” she said, hopeful but a little wary. ”There is no self-interest in this?”
He smiled a little. ”There is always at least some self-interest in politics. The man who sent me here fears that if San Gabriel is dangerously weakened, it might become the target of lawless guerilla bands that are at loose ends now that the war is over. Having a valued ally displaced by a bandit kingdom is not a pleasing thought.”
Athena bit her lip. ”That possibility has occurred to me. Your intelligence officer is right. With the king and the prince imprisoned or quite possibly dead, San Gabriel is vulnerable. Were you threatened by such guerilla bands as you crossed Spain?”
”Only fools would attack a troop so well armed and disciplined, and the guerillas I've known were not fools. But we did hear stories of attacks on remote villages,” he said soberly. ”We drove one such band away from a village west of Vitoria.”
She shuddered as she remembered the a.s.sault of the French troops. ”I've prayed that the mountains would protect us, but they weren't enough to save us from Baudin.”
”That will change when the rest of the Gabrileno troops return in a few weeks,” Masterson said rea.s.suringly. ”They are well-trained fighters and their commander, Colonel da Silva, seemed very competent. Unless you think he might inst.i.tute a military coup when he returns, displacing the princess?”
”What an appalling thought!” Athena exclaimed. ”I haven't seen Colonel da Silva in some time, but he and his family are famously loyal to crown and country. He would have had to change beyond imagining for that to happen.”
”He didn't seem like a man plotting to overthrow his established government,” Masterson agreed. ”Speaking of his family, I promised to call on his wife when I arrived. He said they live just outside the town?”
Athena nodded. ”It's not far. I'll take you over tomorrow morning.”
”Thank you. After calling on her, will you have time to take me on a tour of the valley? I want to see for myself what conditions are like.”
”I'll be glad to. But before seeing Senora da Silva, you should make a courtesy call on the regent.”
”Of course. I would do so now, but I a.s.sume he has retired for the day.” He hesitated before continuing, ”I gather Prince Alfonso is advanced in years and not in the best of health?”
”Tactfully put,” she replied. ”Yes, he is very old and his wits sometimes wander.” Often, in fact. ”He mistakes Sofia for her mother. And me for my mother.”
”Will Princess Maria Sofia make a good ruler if she ascends the throne?”
The topic was one that Athena and Sofia had discussed often. Obsessed about, in fact. ”Sofia is intelligent and a good judge of people, and she has a strong sense of duty. She will not flinch from her responsibilities. But her nature is gentle, and she wasn't raised to rule, since it seemed unlikely that she would inherit the crown. She's working hard to remedy the deficits in her knowledge and she's very popular with the people, but she's not ready to rule. By Gabrileno law, she can't take the throne until she turns twenty-five, a little over a year from now. She will be better prepared by then.”
”She is fortunate to have you.” Masterson lifted the carafe of wine and topped up both goblets. ”The loaded rifle made introductions brief. What should I call you? Miss Markham, Mrs. Markham, or Lady Athena?” He gave her a smile that took her breath away. ”Athena, G.o.ddess of wisdom and war. Being called Lady Athena suits you.”
The warmth in his smile gave her a stab of painful yearning for what could never be. Her voice sharp to put more distance between them, she said, ”I'm sometimes called Lady Athena because I tend to give orders. The t.i.tle would be correct if I were legitimate, but since I'm not, Miss Markham will do.”
She expected him to look shocked or disapproving, but he merely put the last piece of sausage on a slice of bread and didn't bat an eyelash. ”All babies are legitimate. What their parents did or didn't do is irrelevant to the reality of a live, bouncing infant.”
Startled, she said, ”There aren't many who would agree with you.”
He offered her a half smile. ”They're wrong, I'm right. My favorite relative is illegitimate and, to the best of my knowledge, he has neither horns nor hooves.”
A defensive knot in her midriff eased. ”Your att.i.tude is refres.h.i.+ng, Major Masterson.”