His Counterfeit Condesa (Historical Romance)

by Joanna Fulford

  ‘My word, Robert, but she’s a beauty.’

  ‘That she is.’

  ‘What on earth does she see in you?’

  ‘Lord knows.’

  They moved forward to meet their guests. For a moment Falconbridge took her hand, letting his gaze travel the length of her. Then he smiled.

  ‘You look wonderful.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  He felt another surge of pride, fully aware of the covert looks coming their way, and knowing every man there would like to be in his shoes. In consequence, he forgot that he had retained her hand far longer than was necessary or correct.

  Beside him Albermarle coughed. ‘Well, then, shall we sit down?’

  Sabrina smiled and took her place beside their host. The meal was excellent, a real treat after the Spartan rations they had endured in the latter days of their journey. A tasty vegetable soup was removed with trout, cooked à la plancha, and then a sirloin of beef, chicken in a lemon sauce and a game pie. Dessert was a light and frothy syllabub, with fruit and sweetmeats.

  The conversation flowed easily throughout. As ever, Falconbridge and Brudenell were excellent company, being well informed on a variety of topics, and often witty. Many times Sabrina found herself laughing at the tales of their past exploits. These, she had no doubt, had been carefully censored and were thus totally unexceptionable, but always hilarious. Albermarle, too, relaxed and became expansive, keeping up his part in the conversation. Aware of having the company and undivided attention of three distinguished men, Sabrina found herself positively enjoying the covert and envious looks that came her way from some of the other ladies present. It occurred to her then that both Brudenell and Robert were very handsome in their different ways. Even so, she had eyes for only one.

  Becoming aware of her attention Falconbridge smiled and, seeing that the other two were temporarily engaged in discussion, seized his chance. ‘You look thoughtful, ma’am.’

  ‘I was thinking,’ she admitted.

  He lowered his voice a little. ‘About what?’

  ‘I shall not tell you for fear you should grow conceited.’

  He grinned. ‘Now I am intrigued.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘Vixen.’

  Sabrina laughed. It might have been the candlelight or the wine or the sparkle in her eyes, or all three, but again he found himself staring and felt a sudden rush of heat to his groin.

  ‘If we were alone, my girl, I should compel you to speak.’

  ‘Do you think so?’

  ‘Do you think I would not?’

  The tone and the accompanying look sent a delicious shiver the length of her body. Suddenly she wished very much that they were alone together, somewhere out in the back of beyond; that she was in his arms again and yielding to that tender compulsion. Startled by the tenor of her thoughts she lowered her gaze, afraid that he might read too accurately what lay behind.

  Fortunately their attention was recalled by Albermarle who had directed a question to Falconbridge. Gathering his wits he made some reply but it wasn’t easy while his thoughts were all on the woman beside him.

  * * *

  For the remainder of the evening there was no further opportunity for private speech until the time came for her and Albermarle to leave.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘It has been a wonderful evening. And it was a truly delicious meal.’

  He raised her hand to his lips. ‘I keep my promises.’

  ‘So you do.’ She smiled. ‘And most handsomely, too.’

  Resisting the urge to take her in his arms, he contented himself with a bow. ‘It was my pleasure.’

  ‘Capital evening, Major,’ said Albermarle. ‘First rate.’

  ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it, sir.’

  ‘Hope to return the favour one day soon.’

  ‘I’ll look forward to it, sir.’

  With real regret he watched his guests depart, following their progress until they were out of sight.

  For a while Sabrina and her godfather walked in companionable silence. Then he cast a shrewd glance her way.

  ‘I’d say that young man has taken quite a fancy to you, my dear.’

  Her cheeks reddened and she was glad of the concealing darkness. ‘Would you?’

  ‘Couldn’t keep his eyes off you all evening. Not that it’s to be wondered at. You’re a devilish pretty girl.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’

  He hesitated and then said casually, ‘I think you’re not indifferent to him either.’

  She bit her lip. ‘I like him very well.’

  ‘Thought so. I confess it surprised me at first. I’d a notion you didn’t care for him at one time.’

  ‘No, I didn’t, but my knowing him better has improved my opinion of him.’

  ‘I see.’ He paused. ‘Good sort of fellow, Falconbridge.’

  ‘Yes, he is.’

  Albermarle made no reply but merely smiled to himself.

  * * *

  Sabrina did not see or hear from Falconbridge for several days after that and guessed that his duties kept him fully occupied. Then one morning he came to call.

  ‘I regret that Wellington has assigned me to another mission. I shall be going out of town for a while.’

  Sabrina’s heart sank. This was the very thing she had been dreading. Although she had known it must come at some point she had not thought it would be so soon. Somehow she summoned a smile, trying not to let her disappointment show.

  ‘Will you be gone long?’

  ‘A week or so, I believe.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘I deeply regret the necessity, but my orders are to leave at once.’ He looked down into her face. ‘However, I wanted to see you first.’

  ‘I am so glad that you did.’ She hesitated, hating to ask but needing to know the answer. ‘Is it going to be dangerous, this mission of yours?’

  ‘Would that matter to you?’

  ‘You know it would.’

  ‘On this occasion I think there is likely to be little danger.’

  ‘May I ask where you are going?’

  ‘I am not at liberty to say what it is at present.’

  ‘Forgive me, it was a tactless question.’

  He shook his head. ‘No, just a natural one. When I return, everything will be made clear.’

  ‘A mystery then.’ She laid a hand on his sleeve. ‘I beg you will be careful. You have trouble enough at present without adding injury to the list.’

  ‘I promise to heed the advice.’

  ‘I wish I were going with you. I hate the thought of sitting here and doing nothing.’

  ‘You have already done far more than could ever have been expected of you. Besides, you will want to wait for news of Ramon.’

  ‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘We have heard nothing from Luis since he left.’

  ‘I fear the task will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.’

  ‘He felt he had to do it anyway,’ she replied. ‘General Ward’s comments went deep.’

  ‘Yes, they did.’

  She met his gaze and held it. ‘If Ramon does not return, will things go ill for you, Robert?’

  ‘I cannot deny that matters are a touch awkward at present, but all may yet be well.’

  ‘If it had not been for me and Jacinta you would have brought those documents back yourself. Your men would have provided a diversion to cover your escape, and they would all have done it as a matter of duty. But you would not leave two women behind to be captured while you left the scene.’

  ‘Nor would any man worthy of the name.’ He took her shoulders in a gentle clasp. ‘You should not feel guilty on that account.’

  ‘I cannot help it.’

  ‘I took the decision and I stand by it. Do you really think I could have left you there?’

  The warmth of his hands and the gentleness of his tone brought a lump to her throat. ‘You should have, but I am glad you did not. In consequence, all of Lord Wellington’s plans are thro
wn awry.’

  He smiled. ‘I think you overstate the case a little. This is a setback, no more.’

  ‘Now you will not get your promotion.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. There will be other opportunities. What matters to me is your safety and well-being.’

  ‘And yours to me.’

  His heart beat a little quicker but before he could reply they heard booted feet in the hall. Then Corporal Blakelock appeared at the door. ‘Beg pardon, Major, but it’s time.’

  ‘Very well. I’m coming.’ Falconbridge smiled ruefully at Sabrina. ‘There is so much I want to say to you and no time now to do it in, but I’ll be back, I promise you.’

  She managed to return his smile. ‘I’ll hold you to that.’

  He pressed his lips to her hand, and then left her to join the waiting men. Sabrina watched until they were out of sight and only the warm imprint of his kiss remained.

  * * *

  The days following his departure seemed long and dull. Nor could she settle to anything. Reading, sewing and sketch pad were abandoned in succession. Every time she heard a horse in the street or a footstep in the hall her heart leapt. She knew it could not be him, but lived in the hope that it might be Luis or Ramon or both, and each time the hope was dashed. Then her thoughts would turn back to Falconbridge, wondering where he was and what he was doing at that moment. She had known she was going to miss him, but now his absence left a void that nothing could fill. Moreover, she missed action, the sense of having something important to do.

  Needing to make herself useful, she accompanied Jacinta to the market each day and explored the local shops to see what they might have to offer in the way of dress fabric. Her trunks had not yet arrived and there was no absolute certainty of their doing so. In consequence, her wardrobe was drastically reduced, and she needed to furnish herself with some new gowns. The choice proved to be limited but she found two lengths of figured muslin cloth and some thread, with matching ribbon for trim. At least sewing new gowns would provide a worthwhile occupation.

  ‘Perhaps you will have them ready by the time Major Falconbridge returns,’ said Jacinta.

  ‘Yes, perhaps,’ she replied.

  Seeing her downcast expression the other woman continued, ‘You need not worry for him. He will come back. That one is like a cat; he has nine lives.’

  Sabrina made no reply. This parting, though not wholly unexpected, had come sooner than she had anticipated. Being separated from him was like losing a part of her. It caused a lowering of the spirits quite unlike her usual buoyant self. Her abstracted air had not passed unnoticed in other quarters. Colonel Albermarle, with whom she was dining that evening, was sufficiently concerned to enquire.

  ‘Is something wrong, my dear?’

  Unable to open her heart just then, she sought refuge in a partial truth. ‘It’s only that so many days have passed without news of Ramon or Luis. I really thought they might have returned by now.’

  It had been his thought also but he did not say so. ‘If they have not there will be a good reason for it.’ He regarded her shrewdly. ‘It is an anticlimax, isn’t it, coming back to routine after such an adventure?’

  ‘I confess it is.’

  ‘Look, I have to ride out to the Great Teson tomorrow morning. Why don’t you come with me?’

  Sabrina brightened a little. ‘I’d like that.’

  * * *

  They went out early, and once on horseback again Sabrina felt her spirits revive. The morning air was sweet and cool and the company congenial. As they rode towards the hilltop batteries, Albermarle pointed out the repairs and improvements underway. Even at this hour the place was a hive of activity. Seeing so many redcoats she began automatically to seek for one in particular, even though her mind told her he couldn’t possibly be there. Then she told herself sternly not to be such an idiot.

  * * *

  They returned to the house just before ten to see two horses outside, one a particularly poor specimen. Since she didn’t recognise either, Sabrina assumed it must be someone seeking Albermarle.

  ‘Possibly, my dear,’ he said. ‘I left word where I would be if needed, though I don’t know anyone who owns such a nag as that chestnut. Never saw such an ancient, sway-backed, spavined, cow-hocked bag of bones in my life.’

  The comment was not unjustified. The horse looked as though it might have walked straight out of the pages of a Cervantes novel.

  ‘Perhaps it belongs to one of the traders hereabouts,’ she suggested. ‘I’ll ask Jacinta.’

  The two of them dismounted and went in together. They had no sooner entered the hallway than they saw the maid speaking animatedly to two men in dirty and travel-stained clothes. Seeing the newcomers she looked up, smiling. Then the men turned around. Sabrina’s heart leapt.

  ‘Ramon! Luis! How glad I am to see you.’

  ‘Did I not tell you I would find him?’ said Luis.

  ‘I knew if anyone could, it would be you.’ Sabrina turned to Ramon, examining him critically. ‘Are you injured? Have you been unwell? We have been so concerned.’

  He smiled ruefully. ‘I am well, Doña Sabrina, I thank you.’

  ‘Glad to hear it,’ said Albermarle, ‘but where the devil have you been, man?’

  ‘I regret the tardiness of my return, Colonel, but it could not be avoided.’ He looked at Sabrina. ‘The day after I left you, my horse put its foot in a hole and broke its leg. I had to shoot it. Then I walked for three days more before I came to a farmstead where I could obtain another beast. Unfortunately, I had no money and it took all my powers of persuasion to make the man part with it. Even then I had to swear a sacred oath to return with payment.’

  ‘It must be some horse.’

  ‘Oh, it is.’

  Light dawned. ‘Not that ghastly old crock I saw outside?’

  ‘The very same.’

  Albermarle snorted. ‘The rogue should rather have paid you for taking it off his hands. It’s a miracle you got here at all.’

  ‘At times I did wonder if it would not have been quicker to walk.’

  Luis grinned. ‘When I met him he was not twenty miles from town, carrying the horse.’ Then, seeing their expressions of incredulity, he added, ‘All right, I admit I exaggerate a little bit. He was not carrying it just then.’

  Jacinta threw him a quelling glance and Albermarle turned back to Ramon.

  ‘Have you got the papers, man?’ he demanded.

  ‘I have them safe, Colonel.’

  The collective sigh of relief was audible.

  ‘Luis told me that my delay has meant trouble for Major Falconbridge,’ Ramon went on, ‘and for that I am truly sorry.’

  ‘The matter must be rectified at once,’ said Albermarle.

  Luis nodded. ‘By taking the papers to General Ward, no?’

  ‘Ward be damned. Take ‘em straight to Wellington.’

  * * *

  Afterwards, it was as though a load had been lifted from Sabrina’s shoulders. The only cloud over her pleasure was that she couldn’t let Falconbridge know straight away. A pleasant diversion arrived some three days later in the form of the previously abandoned coach, and with it her missing boxes. Having given the driver a handsome tip, she lost no time in having these carried upstairs. Then she and Jacinta spent an hour unpacking. Initially Sabrina had wondered what condition her things might be in, but, apart from a little creasing, the garments seemed to be untouched by the recent adventure. It came as a relief. Although she did not want for funds, they would not have stretched to the replacement of almost her entire wardrobe.

  Jacinta gathered an armful of dresses. ‘I will take these for pressing. They will soon be as good as…’

  The words were drowned by loud knocking on the door. Then they heard Luis’s voice.

  ‘Doña Sabrina, you must come!’ Her stomach lurched. Immediately her thoughts went to Robert. Had something happened to him? Was he injured? Captured? Dead? Dear God, not dead. She hurried to the door an
d threw it open.

  ‘What is it? What’s happened, Luis?’

  ‘He is back!’

  She let out a long breath. ‘Thank heaven. Is he all right?’

  ‘A little tired perhaps, and thinner of course, but otherwise all right.’

  She stared at him. ‘Thinner?’

  ‘Si, but it is to be expected. Probably he has had a little fever. It is not unknown.’

  Sabrina paled. ‘A fever?’

  Jacinta stepped forwards and glared at Luis. ‘Who has a fever, you fool?’

  He looked affronted. ‘I did not say that anyone had a fever. I only said he might have had one, being thin as he is.’

  ‘Why should Major Falconbridge be thin?’

  ‘Not Major Falconbridge, woman.’

  ‘Idiota! Who then?’

  ‘Why, Señor Huntley of course. Who else?’

  Sabrina went pale and red by turns. ‘My father? My father is back?’

  Luis nodded. ‘That is what I have been telling you.’

  He had no time for more because Sabrina was out of the room and running along the passage to the head of the stairs. She paused there a moment, her gaze searching the hallway below. Several men were waiting there. Among them was a man of middle years with greying brown hair. His face was pale and gaunt, the blue eyes tired. Though of upright carriage he was dusty and travel-stained and indisputably thinner, but she would have known him anywhere.

  ‘Father.’

  At the sound of her voice the blue eyes brightened and a tremulous smile formed on his lips. Sabrina raced down the stairs and across the hall. Moments later his arms were round her.

  ‘Oh, my dearest child, how I have dreamed of this moment.’

  ‘And I also.’ Her breath caught on a sob. ‘I thought I might never see you again. I feared you would never be freed.’

  ‘I might not have been but for you. Major Falconbridge has told me what you did to obtain my release.’

  She looked round and saw him just a few feet away and suddenly a lump formed in her throat. ‘This was your mission. This is why you went out of town.’

  ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘It was General Ward who charged me with the office, but he had his orders from the very top.’

  ‘Lord Wellington?’

  ‘Apparently so. When he received word that the return of the English prisoners was imminent, he sent me to oversee the handover and to ensure your father’s safe return. I did not tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise.’