His Counterfeit Condesa (Historical Romance) by Joanna Fulford Page B

happened so gradually that she had barely been aware of it. She could no longer deny that she was attracted to him, but it was an attraction that she didn’t dare pursue.
    Her companion shut his eyes, trying not to dwell on the semi-clad form just feet away from him. With a wrysmile he turned his head and quietly bade her goodnight. He heard her reply in kind, and then the faint rustle of bedclothes as she turned onto her side. It was a long time before sleep claimed him.
    * * *
    The following morning Don Pedro solicited a private talk with his guest. For that purpose he had chosen the library. It was quiet and allowed of no possibility that the conversation might be overheard.
    ‘You took a risk coming to Aranjuez,
señor,’
he said, ‘but there was no other way of solving the problem.’
    ‘I understand.’ Falconbridge paused, eyeing his host keenly. ‘But you also took a great risk.’
    ‘In the service of my country.’
    ‘Even so.’
    ‘The alternative is to let the usurper, Joseph, keep the throne he has stolen.’ Don Pedro’s lip curled in quiet contempt. ‘My post brings me into contact with influential people and sensitive information. I put it to good use when I can.’
    ‘Your help has proved most valuable in the past. My superiors are grateful.’
    ‘They will certainly be glad to get these.’ Don Pedro turned to the bookcase and drew out a large and weighty tome. He opened it and turned the first few pages. They concealed a hollow section in which lay a flat leather wallet. He withdrew it and replaced the book on the shelf before turning back to his companion. ‘This contains the most up-to-date information we have about Napoleon’s troop movements, and his future plans for the war in Spain. If they can be exploited it may hasten the end of this campaign.’
    Falconbridge nodded. Taking the wallet he opened it and unfolded the papers within, scanning them with apractised eye. As he did so he felt a surge of excitement. ‘This is excellent. My government will be most grateful for the information. I take it these are copies?’
    ‘Yes. It would have been too dangerous to remove the originals.’
    ‘I shall do all in my power to ensure that Lord Wellington receives them as soon as possible.’
    ‘Much depends on it.’ Don Pedro paused. ‘In the event of capture these papers must be destroyed.’
    ‘I understand.’ Falconbridge refolded the sheets and returned them to the wallet before tucking it into the inside pocket of his coat.
    ‘If you are captured you must not be made to talk.’
    ‘That eventuality has been considered and the contingency plan is in place.’ He hoped that it would never be necessary to have recourse to the small package of pills hidden in a secret compartment of his valise. All the same, one must be prepared for every eventuality.
    ‘Very well. Then it only remains for me to wish you luck,
señor.’
Don Pedro held out his hand. ‘You and your charming companion.’
    Falconbridge took the hand and clasped it warmly. ‘I thank you.’
    ‘She knows the truth, I take it?’
    ‘Of course. It was her choice to come.’
    ‘Then she is a very brave woman.’
    ‘Why so, I think.’ Even as he spoke the words Falconbridge knew that they were true.
    ‘You plan to return when?’
    ‘The day after tomorrow.’
    ‘It is well. In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy the ball.’
    They parted shortly after this and Falconbridge took himself off to the garden.
Doña
Elena had offered toshow Sabrina around it that morning and he had every hope of encountering them there. For a while he wandered among the flower beds but found no sign of them until an enquiry of one of the gardeners elicited the information that the ladies were in the summerhouse.
    He found it a little later, a pretty wooden pavilion painted in green and white with elaborate carved scrollwork round the doors and windows and a design of fruit and flowers along the eaves. Hearing female voices he mounted the