Devoted to the Spanish Duke

by Sasha Cottman

  The moment Maria had flicked open the first of his buttons, he’d sensed she had other ideas. Ones which did not include him sleeping alone.

  But Lisandro was not without his own surprises.

  Taking Maria by the hand, he led her up to his private quarters and into his bedroom with its oversized bed.

  “Oh! That’s huge,” she exclaimed.

  Hopefully that’s not the only time you’ll appreciate the size of something this evening.

  “Would you like to retire to your room?” he offered.

  Her grip on his fingers tightened. She had been all smiles and bravado up until this moment. Now, he sensed her sudden hesitation. Her apprehension.

  It had been some years since Lisandro had been a virgin, but he could still remember the feelings of trepidation. Of worrying if he would be up to the task. He could just imagine that for Maria those emotions would be greater.

  His first time had been an enjoyable tumble with an experienced older woman. There had been no repercussions for him when it became a whispered secret around the household servants that the future duke had lost his innocence. Even his father had privately congratulated him on becoming a man.

  For Maria, the stakes were higher.

  If he cared for her, he had to give her a way out. A chance to rethink things and wait. Much as he wanted Maria beneath him, if he had to bide his time until they were wed it wouldn’t be too much of a sacrifice.

  I am not a beast, unable to command my base desires. Besides, when the time comes that we are together, I want her to feel comfortable. To know she is protected by the vows of marriage.

  She let go of his hand and wandered toward the bed. Her fingers brushed over the gold and silver silk coverlet. When she turned back to him, determination sat on her face. “I want this. I want you tonight, Lisandro. Make me yours.”

  He hesitated, offering her more time. “You said you wanted to talk. Perhaps we should do that now before anything else.”

  She sighed. “Alright let’s talk. I was disappointed that you sent word to Diego without telling me what you were going to say. When we marry, you can’t keep secrets from me. I need to be able to have some rights in my life, and one of those must be the right to be heard.”

  Lisandro was so accustomed to making decisions for himself that he’d simply forgotten to take what Maria wanted into account. He would have to overcome that habit. “Forgive my oversight. Maria, I want you to have a voice in our marriage. You were clearly not raised to be a silent partner or fully submissive to the will of your husband. It will take time for me to change long ingrained forms of behavior. All I ask is that you are patient with me,” he replied.

  From what he already knew of Maria, patience was not a virtue she held in great supply. Theirs would be a marriage frequently tested by two strong wills. He would be a fool going into this union if he thought it would be anything else.

  Still, he wanted a wife who challenged him. A woman not prepared to be either meek or mild. Maria would push him to become the sort of man he could be, should be, and she would stand alongside him through thick and thin. Right where he wanted her.

  “Thank you. I know I am not an easy person to live with; you can ask my brother when you next see him. What I am is a woman who loves you, Lisandro. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. To bear your children and see the dukedom of Tolosa continue.”

  After hearing Maria’s declaration, Lisandro knew there was only one thing left for him to do. He crossed to the tall set of drawers which sat against the far wall and, after retrieving a small velvet pouch from a box, came back to her.

  He knelt on the hard, wooden floor and took hold of her hand. “Maria Isabella de Elizondo Garza, will you do me the greatest honor and be my wife? My duchess?”

  Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Yes. My father will probably never forgive me, but yes.”

  She bent, placing a soft, tender kiss on his lips. Lisandro reached up and brushed away a stray tear. “I am sure the Duke of Villabona will come around. He loves you; he will not forsake his only daughter.”

  From out of the pouch, he took a ring. A single, bright emerald sat in the center. It was a priceless jewel brought back to Spain from the royal mines in Columbia. Lisandro slipped the ring onto Maria’s finger, then kissed her hand.

  “Now all we need is a priest and the blessing of the church,” she said.

  He had promised to be honest with her, and with their betrothal, it was time for him to live up to that undertaking. He got to his feet. “I am going to travel to Villabona tomorrow and speak to your father. Amongst other things, I will be asking for your hand in marriage.”

  She frowned at him. “I notice you said ‘I,’ not ‘we.’”

  “You and I will travel together as far as the convent of Saint Casilda just outside of Irura. I don’t want you to remain here just in case something happens to me. Since the convent is on the road to Villabona, if things do work out and I am able to unmask who is behind your kidnapping and have them arrested, then I can return quickly and bring you back to your family,” he said.

  His biggest concern at this point was the risk to Maria’s safety if he suddenly arrived home with her. Whoever was behind her kidnapping might go quiet, deciding to bide their time and wait for another opportunity to strike at the Elizondo family.

  He had to draw the enemy out from their hiding place, make them reveal themselves. And in order to do that, he had to put himself in danger.

  “Are you sure this is the only way? I mean, I am not disagreeing with your plan. It’s just the thought of something happening to you fills me with dread,” she said. The betrothal ring had been on her finger for a matter of a minute and she was already gripping it tight.

  “I am not going to do anything foolish. Besides they don’t know where you are, so no one is likely to make an attempt to kill me before they get you back.”

  “I don’t think my father would try to harm you, Lisandro. You might have an inkling of his politics, but I know him as a man. The two of you are not that distant in your ways,” she replied.

  Lisandro was going to have to place his trust in the honor and true character of Antonio Elizondo. His life depended on it.

  “Well, after tomorrow many things will be settled. Hopefully the day will see us toasting our betrothal. If it doesn’t, I will likely be sitting in chains.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  All this talk of plotting and schemes had Maria thinking Lisandro would want her to leave. To let him get sleep and be ready for the fateful day ahead.

  He slipped a hand around her waist and pulled her to him. Maria gasped as the firmness of his erection pressed against her stomach.

  “Last chance. You can leave this room right now and we can wait until we are married to make love.”

  Maria had been sure of her decision before they had talked; now, she was adamant. Lisandro was not leaving Castle Tolosa without having claimed her as his woman.

  She brushed a hand against the bulge in his trousers, then took a hold and gently squeezed. “I hear that this is what I am supposed to do. Is it alright?”

  He drew in a deep breath and whispered, “Maria, yes.”

  A long, warm kiss was her reward for giving him pleasure. She groaned as their lips and tongues worked over one another. For a strong, powerful man, he was surprisingly tender when it came to be kissing her.

  His hands worked their way up to the bodice of her gown, then around to the back where the laces were tied. He tugged on one of them and she waited for it to come loose. With a hum of disappointment, he tried again.

  “These things are wickedly tied,” he said.

  “Sorry I didn’t think to loosen them.”

  It was hard to think of much else other than her nerves and rapidly beating heart.

  She pulled back and turned around, placing her hands on the edge of the bed. “Does this help?”

  There was a moment of unexpected silence. She glanced over her shoulder to
see him staring at her ass. When their gazes met, he grinned. “I was just recalling the night we rescued you and I had to carry you out of the house slung over my shoulder. In all the mayhem, I didn’t get time to appreciate just how magnificent your trasero is, so forgive me if I indulge for a moment.”

  Maria giggled; his indelicate remark was exactly what she needed. Her nerves were on edge, humor the perfect antidote.

  Strong arms came around her, lifting her away from the bed. Lisandro blazed a trail of warm, tender kisses down her neck. She shivered at the heady sensation that thrummed through her body as he touched her skin.

  “Don’t be afraid. I will keep you safe in all things,” he said.

  “Even this?”

  “Yes, especially this.”

  From the first day they had been together in London, Lisandro’s honest nature had overcome both Maria’s hatred and mistrust of him. Within days, she had willingly placed her faith, and indeed her life, in his hands.

  Giving herself to him tonight was the ultimate act of trust.

  Reaching behind her, she searched for the laces of her gown. Her fingers gripped the shortest tie and she tugged it free. Lisandro quickly stepped into the role of lady’s maid and deftly loosened the rest of them.

  The cool night air kissed her back as he pulled the gown open and pushed the top of it down. Instinctively she held onto the fabric, keeping her breasts covered as she turned to face him.

  “Let it go; I want to see you. All of you,” he whispered.

  Maria sucked in a shaky breath as Lisandro took hold of her hands and drew them away from the bodice. When he gave a hard tug and the gown pooled at her feet she didn’t protest. She was bare; only her shoes remained.

  Her nipples hardened. The thought of being naked before Lisandro had her pulse racing. Maria lowered her gaze, too shy to look at him. With his hands placed on her waist, Lisandro knelt.

  Cupping a breast lightly in his fingers, he leaned forward and drew one tight bud into his mouth. Pleasure tore straight to her core. When he sucked, she closed her eyes and let out a ragged breath. “Oh, Lisandro,” she panted.

  Her mind barely had time to register the sensation of his firm lips on her nipple when he slipped a finger into her wet heat and began to stroke. Maria’s world swayed on its axis. It was all too much to take.

  Please don’t stop. I need your touch.

  He worked her slowly up to a state of sobbing, aching need. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, gripping tight. The man was a master at knowing every place to touch on a woman’s body.

  Lisandro released his lips from her breast with a pop. Rising up on his knees, he continued to stroke her sex.

  “That’s it. I want you to come this way, Maria. It will make things easier for when I claim you,” he whispered.

  She was in no state to argue. All her mind and body could think of was reaching the earth-shattering climax which she sensed was just a stroke or two of his fingers away.

  He rolled his thumb over her sensitive nib and she crashed into a blinding orgasm, collapsing against him. To her relief, he didn’t stop. Instead, he slowed the pace while continuing to stroke her as she slowly came down.

  Maria’s mind was still in a post-orgasmic haze when Lisandro lifted her onto the bed and, with almost godlike speed, quickly shed his clothes. As he turned back to her, she got her first glimpse of his fully naked body. Her mouth dropped open at the sight of his engorged manhood.

  She had seen the horses in the fields near her house, knew the basics of what happened when a stallion found a mare in heat. But they were animals, and her mother had never allowed her to linger and see what actually happened when the well-hung male horse finally got his way.

  Lisandro gave her an encouraging grin. “Don’t be afraid. I will make this good for you.”

  She wasn’t so sure, given the size of what was pointing large and long at her.

  You are not the first woman to share her body with a man. Just try and relax.

  He crawled onto the bed and rose over her. Taking her hand in his, he placed it on his cock and held it there. Maria wrapped her fingers around the shaft.

  “Now, move your hand up and down. Stroke me like I did with you. Slowly at first. Listen to my breathing and take your cues as to how fast you should go,” he said.

  “Alright but let me know if I am not doing it right,” she replied.

  To her surprise, she quickly established a steady rhythm and soon had Lisandro quietly swearing under his breath. When he groaned and whispered, “Maria,” she sensed he was nearing his peak.

  He stilled her hand and brushed it away. As he positioned himself at her entrance, she closed her eyes.

  The sensation of him entering her body was odd. There was a moment of pressure, then it was gone. He withdrew and then pushed in deeper. By the time Maria realized he was fully seated within her, Lisandro was already increasing the pace of their coupling.

  Every time he thrust into her, she wanted him to go deeper. The ripples of pleasure began to build once more, and Maria gripped the sides of his hips, urging him on. All she could think of was the need for him to take her harder.

  “Lisandro, oh God, that feels so good,” she sobbed.

  He slipped a hand between them and ran his thumb around her bud. Faster, he worked her with his fingers and his cock. Her growing desperation for release had her clawing at his ass.

  Maria lay her head back on the pillow, screaming as she came in a soul-defining climax. Lisandro pounded into her in one final frenzy before he let out a shout and collapsed on top of her.

  “Oh, Maria. I will never get enough of you. I love you.”

  She held him close. “I love you, and this is forever.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  They made love once more during the night, and then again just before the dawn. Lisandro had planned to let Maria be after their first time together, to give her body a chance to recover, but she wouldn’t allow it.

  The last time he had taken her, she’d been spread before him over the edge of the bed while he’d entered her from behind. He had tried to be gentle, but with Maria begging him to take her hard and fast, a man could only say no once before giving in to his base desires. He loved the sound of Maria’s cry as he thrust deep into her and she climaxed.

  It was mid-morning before they finally stirred from the bed.

  “I shall ring the bell for some fresh, warm water. We need to dress and eat before we set out on the road this morning.” Lisandro threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood. He playfully batted away the greedy hands of his fiancée. If Maria got a hold of him again, there was every chance she would demand another round of sex.

  This minx might well be the death of me.

  Maria propped herself up on her elbows as Lisandro tied his dressing gown at the waist. He risked a peek at her breasts, pleased that she was comfortable being naked in his presence.

  He swallowed, fighting temptation. It would be so easy to roll her over and spread her legs once more.

  And she would let me do it.

  “Can I ask about your scars?” she said.

  Her words pulled him from his lustful thoughts. He hadn’t counted on the scars being a topic for conversation. He was so used to them, he barely noticed them anymore.

  “I got most of them during the war, a couple in the past few years. Not every mission goes according to plan. In fact, few ever do. When you are dealing with dangerous people, especially the kind that carry knives and pistols, injuries tend to happen,” he replied.

  Maria climbed off the bed and came to his side. He leaned over and gave her an easy, loving kiss. It made his heart flip when she was near, and to know that she was this relaxed with him. With them as a couple.

  When her hand settled gently on his chest, Lisandro spotted the betrothal ring.

  “I think the ring suits you perfectly,” he said.

  She raised an eyebrow at his obvious attempt at changing the subject. As far a
s he was concerned, Maria had already been exposed to enough violence and danger. She didn’t need to know all the insane things that had happened to him.

  A feminine finger traced a line along the scar which ran from his left shoulder to the middle of his back—the result of a fight with a piece of loose metal on the side of a building, rather than a knife.

  “The ring is gorgeous, and I will wear with pride. But I want to know more about you, about your life,” she said.

  “Alright. Choose a scar and I shall try to remember how I came by it.”

  She touched a hand to the ugly scar on the top of Lisandro’s arm and he gritted his teeth. “Tell me about this one.”

  “I call that my scar of instruction. It was a painful lesson in why one should never listen to a mad Englishman when he offers up dangerous and reckless schemes. We tried to blow up the powder magazine at Fort de Guesclin in Brittany. I got a hot bullet for my troubles,” he replied.

  Memories of that night still haunted him. Anyone who said that a flesh wound wasn’t agony had never truly suffered one. Even thinking about it made him wince.

  When Maria touched another of Lisandro’s scars, he took a gentle, but firm hold of her hand.

  “You must understand that there are some things I can never share with you. Scars which will have to remain a mystery. It’s not a trust issue, mind you, Maria; it’s because if you knew the secrets behind them it could put your life in danger. We have to think of the future and our children.”

  She nodded. “I understand. There are things I know my father and brother keep from both my mother and me. They don’t do it with any sort of malice, but again to stop us from holding information that could bring us harm.”

  He was about to walk into the home of a man he barely knew, and whom he most certainly didn’t trust. The Duke of Villabona had his own secrets; and for the first time, Lisandro wondered what exactly they were.