Indeed, the soldiers, gentlemen and servants were throwing buckets of water on the fire, led by Wellington himself. Thankfully, the ballroom protruded at the back of the house, rather like an orangery, with only the balcony above.
Felix made to go and help, but Catalina’s hand on his arm stayed him. “I need you more,” she said desperately and clung to him.
He kissed the top of her head. “I will never let you go.”
*
“The last week has passed like a daydream,” Catalina said to Midnight, as she rubbed behind his ears. Thankfully, Maria had been the only one to die. Catalina prayed the girl had finally found peace. She could still not believe her maid had orchestrated such an act of destruction, including strapping explosives to herself along with setting the diversionary ropes of fire.
She had stolen the explosives from under their noses. It was almost incomprehensible to Catalina, and she would never underestimate anyone again.
Thankfully, the whole dreadful experience was over and, with her father and Felix to comfort her, she was faring better than on the previous occasion. Most of the damage from the fire had been cleared away, and before long, the stonemasons and some paint would have all the evidence erased.
“It is hard to believe what happened here, is it not?” Felix remarked, coming up beside her on the terrace.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I am grateful the terrace was unharmed. It has always been my favorite place and now it holds even more meaning for me.” She looked up at the balcony above the ballroom, which still had the large hole created by the explosion.
“Are you certain you wish to go ahead with the wedding?” he asked.
“Yes. Father needs to rejoin his men and I am ready for a new chapter in my life. I cannot wait to see England and meet your family.”
“They will love you,” he said, reaching down to kiss the top of her head.
“You should not be here; it is bad luck to see me before the service,” she reprimanded half-heartedly.
“Do you actually believe in those superstitions?” Felix sounded unconvinced.
“Not really, though as a nation, the Spanish tend to be superstitious.”
Midnight had begun to squirm at the sound of Felix’s voice. His little face poked out from his wrap.
“Are you to join us at the ceremony?” her betrothed asked the pup as he stroked behind his ears.
“I do not see why not,” Catalina replied. “There are only to be a few people present and none of them will mind.”
“The priest might,” Felix pointed out.
“He is paid well to overlook such things.”
Felix smiled down at her. He was to be hers in a matter of hours. Hers.
“We had better go and dress. I will await you at the chapel, my dear.”
There was to be a small ceremony in the estate chapel, no one quite feeling comfortable with a grand occasion after the sober events of the past week.
Catalina could have worn her mother’s wedding gown, but it was far too elaborate. Felix had always said he preferred her simple guise to her society façade. Besides, her parents had wed in the summer. She selected a light blue gown decorated with intricate embroidery and added a darker blue velvet gilet for warmth. Her new maid, Betsy, a recent army widow, had tamed her curls and topped the coiffure with a matching silk mantilla, securing it with a peineta. It seemed a little formal, given the understatement of the occasion, but she wished to pay some homage to her Spanish heritage. Her father tried to hide his tears as he escorted her from the house to the chapel, Toro bounding alongside. Midnight was tucked safely inside her gilet, just where he should be. He had grown a small amount and was starting to move around. Perhaps soon, her little miracle would be able to walk after all.
Owens and Everleigh had stayed to witness the event and enjoy Cook’s divine creations. They had already set out, escorting Aunt Esmeralda to the chapel, and she seemed delighted with her two handsome escorts. They were to wait inside with the priest and some of the household servants. The white stone chapel was small and charming, with only two pews and an altar, plus a stained-glass window of the Virgin Mary kneeling at the foot of the cross.
Her father led her down the small aisle and placed her hand in Felix’s. He wore a single pink rose in his lapel, which made her smile. He remembered.
The ceremony was Catholic and long, despite Catalina’s wishes for brevity. However, at last she had her wish and they had both agreed to love, honor and cherish each other in sickness and health.
“I feel as though we have tested many of our vows already,” Felix muttered, with a twinkle in his eye.
“As long as we both shall live,” she reminded him in a severe undertone.
Somehow, Felix had managed to find a beautiful amethyst and diamond ring to place on her finger.
“It is beautiful,” she whispered as the priest continued to read the ceremony. “How did you know this is my favorite?”
“It was the only one that would do… because it matches your eyes.”
The priest cleared his throat, causing Felix and Catalina to smile at each other.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
“Gracias a los cielos!” Mendoza said as he crossed himself, causing those present to laugh… except perhaps the priest.
Felix was indeed thanking the heavens!
After the communion, they signed the register and received congratulations from everyone in the chapel. Despite the smallness of the wedding party, Owens and Everleigh helped to keep it jolly. Along with the servants, they showered the couple with rose petals as they left the chapel.
Cook had prepared a feast for their wedding breakfast, but there would be no grand celebration or ball this time. Felix had assured Catalina his family was certain to do something of the sort when they reached England.
As soon as the breakfast ended, Catalina went to the stables to bid farewell to Toro and his family, the four pups now walking and romping about playfully. Toro’s eyes grew sad as she said adios. Animals always understood that word.
“I will take excellent care of Midnight and we will visit on the return journey to Spain.” He nuzzled both her hand and Midnight sadly, and then turned away as though he did not wish to prolong the inevitable.
Few words were said as they took their leave of her father. He hugged her long and hard, then shook Felix’s hand. Catalina was grateful, because she found her throat too constricted to speak.
They departed from the villa to catch a ship from Bilbao to England in the hopes of reaching Devonshire and The Grange in time for Christmas.
“It will be strange not to be spying anymore,” Catalina remarked as the ship sailed through the crystal blue waters, her eyes on her homeland while the familiar Pyrenees and craggy cliffs faded from view.
“You do not have to completely retire your skills, my dear. There will be plenty of opportunities for listening and observing in diplomatic circles, I assure you.”
“I suppose that gives me something to look forward to,” she said.
“Ah, my love?”
“Yes?” She very much liked the sound of that.
“There is one more question,” he continued, as though he had just recalled it.
“Is it not a little late for that?”
He did not answer. “What training in espionage did you receive, exactly? Your knife skills surprised me, rather.”
Catalina laughed. “I think I will keep that a secret.”
“Is that any way to start a marriage?”
“Of a certainty. I must have some mystery left to me,” she teased. “Although, I could perhaps give a small demonstration.”
“Well, we do have some time to ourselves before we reach England…” He raised his eyebrows suggestively. He led her down to the Captain’s cabin, which he had procured for their journey. It was entirely masculine—paneled wood with dark curtains and one small window—and while the linens were fresh, the odor of tobacco lingered.
/> “I do not think I would care for living on a ship. It is small and dark,” she said, looking around at the cabin.
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms about her. “Oh, my dear, we will not be needing much space or light.”
“No?” She looked up at him encouragingly.
“No,” he reassured her. “The best things happen in the dark of night.”
Epilogue
“It is very cold and cloudy in England, but the cliffs are beautiful,” Catalina said, surveying his island country with a critical eye as they finally neared land.
“England is not known for its sunshine, but it has other redeeming qualities,” he responded, completely captivated by seeing his country through her eyes.
“Such as?” she asked, unconvinced.
“The Knight family?” He smiled. “The weather, certainly not, but I promise you will like England.”
“Will your family be very surprised?”
“Oh, yes,” he said gleefully. “Because my letters were not posted.”
“You are enjoying this greatly, are you not?”
“Which part? Being married or surprising my family?” he asked.
“Both, I hope.”
“If you have any doubt as to my enjoyment of our marriage, I am obviously not doing my job properly.”
“I have no complaints,” she said primly, while a telling blush covered her cheeks.
“That is my family’s land right there,” he said, pointing to a wide area starting at the edge of the ocean and continuing up to the cliffs topped with grassland. “The estate goes from there all the way to the river, and includes the village. Down in the valley, the house is more protected by the trees. The wind can be quite fierce on this side of England.”
The smaller ship docked at the quay near the fishing village. Once they had disembarked, they let Midnight down for a few minutes, then walked up the hill to the village to seek transportation.
The villagers greeted Felix with pride, asking after him and Napoleon. He used to feel strange when people would praise him or ask after his duty, but he now realized it helped them feel better about it all. He introduced Catalina to them and many seemed more awed by her than they did Rowley. She had that presence about her, and her beauty truly was something to behold. If they saw her in her finery, they would probably bow to her like a queen, which amused him greatly.
They took a hired cart from the small tavern to the estate. If his family had known they were coming, they would have sent a carriage for them, but Catalina did not seem to mind, and he knew the ordinary folk would love her more for not being too high in the instep.
As they took the steep, narrow, winding road to the estate, Felix found that he was proud to show Catalina his heritage. The small and colorful fishing huts looked as though they were built upon each other and might fall into the ocean. Yet they had been there for hundreds of years, weathering the severe storms and winds of the coast. It was a harsh, extreme beauty… and it was home.
Smoke wafted from the chimneys on this cold December day, the smell of burning oak one of his favorite memories of winter in England.
He cast a glance at Catalina.
“This is utterly charming,” she said, looking around at the place which had helped form him as a man. This place and these people were why he fought for England. It was a good reminder that the sacrifices were worth it for their freedoms.
They pulled into the gates of the estate and took the long tree-lined drive up to the house. Felix did not expect Catalina to be awed by The Grange’s magnificence, since she had been brought up in such a manner herself, but her large violet eyes were wide with wonder as she looked around her.
The somewhat shabby cart stopped before the front door to the grey stone manor house and Felix smiled when he saw his brother walk down the steps behind Banks, the longtime butler. Rowley’s study looked over the front drive, and he never missed a thing. He would already know that Felix had brought home a wife.
“This is the duke,” Catalina remarked, taking Rowley’s measure before she had even been handed down from the cart.
Rowley walked over to do the honor himself. He held out his hand. “Welcome to The Grange, my lady,” Rowley said, bending over her hand. He then cast a curious glance at Felix as Catalina climbed down. “You are also welcome, Felix,” he added, giving him one of his rare smiles.
“May I introduce you to Lady Catalina Knight y Mendoza, the future Duchess of Riojas? Catalina, this is my eldest brother, Rowley, the Duke of Knighton.”
Rowley’s lips twitched; this small display of his humor would be missed if one did not have the good fortune to see it.
“Indeed, please come inside. You are most welcome. It has been an age since we were all together here at The Grange.”
“All five of us are here?”
“All five, plus some additions. I am surprised no one else has noted your arrival,” he answered dryly.
“And grandmother. Is she…?” he was afraid to ask. She had always been the matriarch, the invincible one. But when last he’d visited she’d been frail in body, even though still mentally sharp.
“She is alive and well,” the duke reassured.
It was more than Felix had hoped for, to have everyone together again.
“I hope our arrival does not inconvenience you or your duchess,” Catalina remarked politely.
“Not at all,” Rowley answered as they handed their coats and hats to Banks. “The rooms for my siblings are always ready. Not that there are many surprise visits, out here in Devon, but today my preparedness pays off.”
Catalina smiled at him and Felix could not contain his pride. This was right.
“Would you prefer to meet the family or go to your room to rest?” Rowley asked.
“It seems as if we have been on a boat forever. I would very much like to meet everyone I have heard so much about!” Catalina answered eagerly.
“As long as you are prepared…” Rowley’s voice trailed off as he led them into the drawing room.
Afterwards, Felix could only describe the next few moments as insanity.
“Felix?” one sibling asked.
“Felix!” another shouted.
Eugenia simply threw herself at him and wrapped her arms about him. He could not help but laugh. When he had peeled her arms away and set her back, it seemed that everyone had finally noticed Catalina. The entire family stood around them, but apparently Rowley was going to allow him to do the honors.
“May I present Lady Catalina, my wife?”
For a moment, there was stunned silence, but only for a moment.
Emma, the duchess, was the first to speak. She stepped forward and curtsied. “Welcome to the family, my lady. I am Emma.”
He could see Catalina visibly relax, though he doubted she was truly daunted by much of anything. They went down the line of Heath and Cecilia, then Edmund and Isabella.
“And you must be Eugenia,” Catalina said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“What has he said about me?” Eugenia immediately demanded, casting an annoyed glance at Felix.
Catalina glided over and took Eugenia’s arm. “Only that you and I are very much alike and that I would adore you.”
“Oh, well done,” Edmund remarked softly, as the rest of the family watched Eugenia lead Catalina to his grandmother, the dowager.
“Who is this?” the dowager barked.
Felix was glad he had warned Catalina about his grandmother’s sharp tongue. He followed his wife and sister, and bowed before kissing each frail, withered cheek of his beloved grandparent.
“Grandmother, this is my wife, Catalina.”
She curtseyed low enough for a queen and smiled at the dowager with enough charm to slay legions. “I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
She raised a glass to her eye and surveyed his bride from head to toe, which put him much in the mind of Beau Brummell. “You sound foreign.”
“I am Spanish, Your Grace.
”
The dowager looked askance at him. “What did you go and do that for, Felix?”
“Why not?” He knew better than to make excuses she would not appreciate.
“Why indeed.” She gave a shrug. “I suppose if she can make you settle, then I have no objection.”
He kissed his grandmother on the cheek. “She makes me happy.” He led Catalina to the sofa next to Eugenia and walked back to his brothers. Emma, Cecilia and Isabella followed and sat on another settee across from them. The duchess rang for tea.
Felix turned to look at his brothers without troubling to hide the huge grin on his face. “It seems the ladies have matters in hand. Shall we repair to the study?”
Banks brought in a tray for the gentlemen as well, and Edmund went straight for the biscuits. He had always been Cook’s favorite and she pampered him.
“This is quite a surprise, I must say,” Edmund remarked, before he took a bite of a warm orange and cinnamon biscuit. “You did not mention a wife when last we saw you in Spain.”
“The marriage is a more recent event, though I was working with Catalina even then.”
Rowley raised his brows with evident interest, but did not comment.
“Welcome home, Felix. Will you be staying long?” Heath finally spoke. He was looking much healthier. Marriage seemed to suit him well.
“Not terribly long, I am afraid. I have accepted a new post under Sir Henry Wellesley.”
“An excellent position. I assume Wellington arranged this?” Rowley asked.
“He did. It was his suggestion. He is rather fond of Catalina.”
“I never thought to see you leg-shackled,” Heath remarked, “but then again, I never thought to see myself in parson’s mousetrap either.”
Felix shook his head. “I can only say it was divine intervention. When I look back, there was never any other possible outcome for me.”
The brothers all raised their glasses. “Hear, hear.”
“Now to see Eugenia settled,” Rowley muttered.
“You might have to raise her dowry.”
“And attract more lechers? No, thank you. It is not that Eugenia lacks for suitors. Only suitable ones,” Rowley quipped.
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