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

one.’
    The accuracy of the observation startled him. In spite of himself he experienced a certain wry amusement. ‘Yes. My brother won.’
    ‘Was she very beautiful?’
    ‘Very.’
    ‘What happened?’
    He swirled the remaining wine in his glass. ‘She married Hugh.’
    ‘Oh.’ For a moment she was silent, uncomfortably aware of having strayed into dangerous territory. Yet having gone there, she found herself wanting to know more, to understand. ‘That could not have been easy.’
    He bit back a savage laugh. The understatement was huge, though she could not have known it. Did one ever truly recover from a blow like that?’It was some years ago,’ he replied, ‘and one gets over disappointment. The incident belongs to the past and I am content to leave it there.’
    It was a clear hint. They changed the subject after that, but the conversation had given Sabrina much to think about. For all his quiet assertion to the contrary it was evident that the lady had hurt him. Perhaps she hadn’t meant to. She had clearly loved his brother more and one couldn’t dictate to the human heart. Her gaze rested on the man opposite. Had his earlier experience made him wary? Was that why he had never married? It seemed increasingly likely. It was also a reaction she found quite understandable.
    Falconbridge tossed back the rest of his wine and then got to his feet. ‘We have another long day on the road tomorrow and it would be as well to get some rest.’
    Sabrina rose, too, though rather more reluctantly, for the sleeping arrangements were etched on her consciousness. He stood back to let her precede him out of the door, and then accompanied her to the stairs. Then he paused.
    ‘You go on ahead. I need to speak to Willis and Blakelock about arrangements for the morning.’
    It was tactful and once again she was grateful. On returning to the room she found Jacinta waiting. With her help Sabrina undressed and donned her nightgown. Then she sat at the dresser while the maid unpinned her hair and brushed it out. In the looking glass Jacinta’s dark eyes locked with hers.
    ‘Do you wish me to remain here tonight?’ she asked. ‘As a chaperone?’
    Sabrina smiled wryly. ‘I assure you I am quite safe from Major Falconbridge.’
    ‘Are you sure?’
    ‘Why should you doubt it?’
    ‘Because he is a man.’
    ‘He did not create this situation. It was always possible that it would happen at some point.’
    ‘Maybe so, but I have seen the way he looks at you when he thinks himself unobserved.’
    Sabrina shook her head. ‘You are mistaken. He has never shown the least regard for me, other than as a…a colleague.’
    ‘He does not look at his other colleagues in that way.’
    ‘I am sure there is not the least occasion for concern.’
    ‘Best make certain. Put a pistol beneath your pillow.’
    ‘I cannot afford to shoot the Major, Jacinta.’
    ‘Very well, your knife then. The wound need not be mortal.’
    Sabrina laughed. ‘I have no intention of stabbing him either.’
    ‘Please yourself.’ The maid sniffed. ‘But don’t say I didn’t warn you.’
    She finished brushing Sabrina’s hair and then, having watched her climb into bed, pulled the covers up to her chin and tucked them in tightly.
    ‘Colonel Albermarle would not approve of this arrangement,’ she told her charge severely.
    ‘Colonel Albermarle isn’t here,’ replied Sabrina. ‘Anyway, it’s only for this one night.’
    ‘That’s what you think. I’ll wager that in future there will be many inns with only one bedchamber.’
    Sabrina gave an involuntary gurgle of laughter. ‘And I suppose you also think that Major Falconbridge arranged it in advance, in order to have his wicked way with me.’
    ‘Man is tinder, woman is flame and the devil is the wind. What man can resist temptation put in his way?’
    ‘He will not be so tempted. There is too much at stake.’
    ‘I hope you are right.’
    With that sobering comment the maid departed.