Part 4 (1/2)
With a wry smile, he tried to remember the last time he'd cared about impressing a woman. Too long.
He tugged the short jacket down. The buff facings and silver lace were intact, but he thought ruefully that the uniform had seen its share of war and had the wounds to prove it. Murphy had become adept at mending slices from French sabers or scorched powder marks when a bullet hadn't quite hit him.
On the plus side, wearing a uniform meant never having to decide what to wear. He'd actually have to think about clothing when he was a civilian again. Smiling a little at the thought, Will headed downstairs to the Olivieras' apartment, with Murphy at his heels. He was greeted warmly by Sergeant Gilberto and his parents.
”Major Masterson.” Senor Oliviera bowed deeply. ”I thank you for bringing my son home.”
”I didn't,” Will protested. ”Sergeant Oliviera and his men are highly skilled soldiers who had no need of me.”
”No doubt,” the older man said with a glint of amus.e.m.e.nt, ”but I cannot thank the entire British Army for what it has done for all of us on the Peninsula. So I thank you.”
Understanding the need to offer thanks, Will said, ”On behalf of the British, I accept your thanks, but truly, our victory came of many allies working together.”
That being settled, it was time to address the more serious issue of breakfast. The meal was limited to the adult members of the family, which kept the noise level down.
As Murphy said, the British were honored guests and the meal provided was lavish with sweet pastries, Spanish omelets made with fried potatoes, and ham shaved so thin it was almost transparent. Will hoped that a month's worth of food supplies hadn't been used up for this one breakfast, and honored the hospitality by eating with gusto. It was the best meal he'd had in weeks.
He'd hoped Athena would join them for breakfast, but she didn't appear until the meal was over. He was draining his coffee cup when she swept into the dining room, her vitality bringing the whole room alive. She gave Will a swift smile before greeting the Olivieras. He felt an instant of paralyzed shock and again the word ”magnificent” sizzled through his mind.
She was dressed for a day on horseback, but instead of a woman's riding habit, she wore a short brown Spanish jacket embroidered in gold over a crisp masculine white s.h.i.+rt. Her tan divided skirt swirled provocatively above her ankles and in her medium-heeled riding boots, she was almost as tall as Will. Magnificent indeed.
As she removed her flat-brimmed hat, she said, ”If the time is not inconvenient, I would like to take Major Masterson to meet Prince Alfonso.”
Senor Oliviera rose. ”I shall escort you and make the introductions, Lady Athena.”
Will was impatient for his ride with Athena, but manners must be observed, and that meant meeting the regent. The three of them ascended a floor to the public rooms. As Will's footsteps echoed across vast, richly furnished s.p.a.ces, he said, ”There doesn't seem to have been any looting here in the castle. I a.s.sume the French were unable to break in?”
Senor Oliviera looked as if he would have spat if not indoors. ”You are correct. We were able to preserve the royal treasures of San Gabriel. More precious are the lives of my countrymen. Many more would have died if not for Lady Athena.”
Athena made a deprecatory wave of her hand, but Will decided that was a story he must hear before the day was over. He would have asked immediately, but they had reached a tall doorway and Senor Oliviera ushered them into a small reception room occupied by an elderly man in a thronelike wooden chair. Beside him Princess Maria Sofia was reading aloud. She stopped when the others entered, her gaze on Will. Since they hadn't met properly the night before, she was understandably curious.
Senor Oliviera announced in a sonorous voice, ”Your highness, allow me to present Major William Masterson of the British Army.”
Prince Alfonso, a thin man with white hair and a vague, happy expression, said, ”We thank you for your visit, Major Masterson.”
”My greetings, your highness.” Will made a courtly bow. ”Thank you for granting me an audience.”
”I am always pleased to see British subjects,” the prince said. ”I spent two years in London representing my country, and I enjoyed it greatly. That's where I met my dear Lady Delilah.” He nodded toward Athena.
Surprised, Will gave Athena a quick glance. Her face was unreadable, and he remembered that she'd said the prince mistook her for her mother.
”Britain values her long-standing ties with San Gabriel,” Will said. ”Your troops fought bravely against the French.”
Prince Alfonso scowled. ”We do not like the French. Savages! They stole the Queen of Heaven! They must be punished for that. Punished!”
”And they will be,” Princess Sofia said smoothly as she laid her hand on her great-uncle's arm. ”But now it is time for your morning coffee, eh?”
The regent's face smoothed out. ”Coffee, yes. You're a good girl, Isabella.” He patted her hand. To Will, he said, ”Pray take our greetings to your own prince regent, Lord Masterson. I would like to pay a call on him in person, but I fear . . . I fear that is too much for me.”
”I shall do as you ask, your highness.” Will bowed again, then withdrew, Athena at his side.
As they left the room, Senor Oliviera said, ”I shall fetch your coffee, your highness, and we have honey cakes.”
The regent's face brightened like a child's. ”Honey cakes are my favorite!”
Will gave a sigh of relief when the door closed behind him. ”I understand why you and Princess Maria Sofia have had to take on the duties of governance.”
”Prince Alfonso has better days,” Athena said as she led the way through the great hall to the stairs. ”Fortunately, he is always sweet tempered, except when the French are mentioned. He dotes on Sofia even if half the time he thinks she's her mother, Queen Isabella. They look much alike.”
”As you resemble your mother, Lady Delilah?”
She frowned. ”I can't imagine why you have any need to know about her, Major Masterson.”
”I don't need to, but everything about you interests me, Athena,” he said peaceably. ”I'd like to know more of your past. In return, ask me whatever you like, though I warn you, I'm not very interesting.”
”Families interest me, since I haven't much of any myself.” She glanced back over her shoulder as she reached the ground floor. ”What was your family like?”
”My mother died when I was six. She was sweet, but her health was never strong so I didn't see much of her. My father wasn't a monster, but he wasn't particularly interested in his offspring. I was raised mostly by servants. Luckily, they were a decent lot and looked out for me.”
”That sounds rather dismal. Who was your favorite relative, the illegitimate one?”
”My half brother, Damian T. Mackenzie,” Will replied as they stepped outside and headed toward the stables. ”'Trouble' is his middle name.”
Athena laughed, her p.r.i.c.kliness gone. ”Really? I like him already.”
”Mac is very likable.” Will smiled as he remembered their first meeting. ”He's two years younger than I, and his mother was an actress. After she died, her maid brought Mac to Hayden Hall, the family seat, then disappeared.”
”How dreadful for him!” Athena's voice held a vehemence that sounded very personal. ”Was he fostered out somewhere distant?”
”When my father returned from London, he wanted to do something like that, but I wouldn't allow it. I liked Mac and had him moved into the nursery with me.” It had been wonderful to find he had a brother. He'd never forgotten his first sight of Mac, who was terrified, grief-stricken, and trying gallantly not to show it. ”I was a well-behaved, rather boring child. Mac was a wonderful companion. Outgoing and full of fun. So I insisted on keeping him.”
”Like a puppy?” Athena asked with amus.e.m.e.nt.
”Exactly.” Will's glance was rueful. ”I might have been boring, but I was also rather stubborn. When I refused to let Mac be sent away, my father abandoned plans to have me educated at Eton. Instead, he packed us both off to a small new school for boys of good birth and bad behavior so the illegitimate son wouldn't be obvious.”
As they entered the stables, Athena asked, ”Did that work out well?”
”Yes, we both got excellent educations and made friends for life.” Will glanced around the stables and saw several good horses. ”My horse could probably use a rest. Do you have any other mounts that would be up to my weight?”
Athena pointed to a large bay gelding. ”Herculano is the strongest horse here and has a placid disposition.” She glanced at Will mischievously. ”He should suit you well.”
He chuckled as he went for his saddle and tack. ”Is he also stubborn?”
”When he feels the need.” Athena collected her own saddle and entered a stall with a tall, handsome chestnut. ”Where is your brother now?”
”Running a very fas.h.i.+onable gaming club in London. Though he's spending less time at the club since he married last year.” Will entered Herculano's stall and started to make the horse's acquaintance. ”I look forward to seeing him again. I've been enlisted as G.o.dfather for a baby that's on the way.”