Page 33 of Midnight Rider

“Now!”

Lupe shifted. “As you wish, of course. I’ll leave you, then.”

She went out, closing the door behind her.

Bernadette had heard the conversation but taken no part in it. She was occupied just trying to keep her breath. So that was Eduardo’s grandmother and cousin. The scorpion and the pit viper. She wished she had the breath to laugh. No wonder he’d been landed with a bride like Consuela. Those two conspirators had probably put their heads together and made him the worst match in the history of his family. He’d said that his grandmother favored his cousin Luis to inherit her wealth. Probably she’d gone out of her way to make Eduardo’s life difficult so that Luis would be the obvious choice and there would be no gossip about her decision.

She wondered why the old woman had come all this way, and why Lupe had been chosen to make the wedding arrangements. Well, Eduardo’s cousin and grandmother were in for a surprise. Bernadette wasn’t going to be led around by the nose, and she wasn’t going to permit those two to destroy his life. They’d done all the damage they were going to be permitted to do. She looked at him through wet eyes and thought how drawn and worn he already looked.

She lay her hand gently against his cheek. He started, as if the gesture shocked him.

“Poor man,” she said hoarsely.

He scowled. His hand pressed hers closer. “Why do you say that?”

“Never mind.” She managed a smile. “Does Lupe bathe in perfume, do you think?”

He smiled for the first time in several minutes. “I think she must. Odd, I don’t remember her wearing so much in the past. But as she said, it has been two years.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“Indeed.”

Bernadette didn’t say anything. The servant came in with the coffee and she sat and sipped it until her lungs felt less constrained and she could breathe almost normally again.

“I don’t suppose you would like to stay for dinner?” he asked.

She studied his face. “I don’t think so,” she replied gently, because now that Lupe knew how that heavy perfume affected her, she’d put on even more of it for the evening meal. Knowing the enemy was half the battle. Bernadette had to search out some armor before she’d be ready to deal with this bunch.

“It’s just as well. They’re tired,” he added. “Come. I’ll drive you home.”

They started back toward the Barron ranch, but Eduardo pulled off beside a small stream under some trees and sat quietly for a minute, with the reins wrapped around the brake.

“Are you truly all right?” he asked her.

She smiled. “I’m fine.” She took a long breath. “See?” She searched his eyes. “And I won’t need a nurse,” she added firmly.

“I have noticed that your health improves when you and I are alone,” he replied, studying her. “Your father upsets you. So do my grandmother and Lupe. But none of them will live with us.”

She wondered if she should tell him her suspicions, that the women would plot to prevent the marriage. She decided not to. There was time for that later. Besides, Eduardo cared for her. He wasn’t going to let himself be influenced by his family, no matter how much he cared for them. That he’d followed his grandmother’s wishes and married Consuela was something she refused to think about.

“I’ll have Lupe start on the arrangements tomorrow. She’ll need a list of guests whom you and your father wish to invite. The ceremony will be held in San Antonio,” he added firmly, “at the Cathedral of San Fernando. There is no place here that will hold the number of guests we should anticipate. It will be a social occasion, a very grand one. You must have a gown that does justice to you, Bernadette. Lupe will get you one from Madrid.” His eyes slid over her slender body with delight. “Your fairness will be truly lovely in white lace,” he added.

“You don’t want to back out, while there’s still time?” she asked, worried.

He thought of all the gossip about their night on the plateau, drew her protectively close and sighed. “No, I don’t want to back out.” He bent his head and kissed her gently. His head lifted, but only a fraction. He caught her arms and guided them up around his shoulders before he bent again. This time the kiss was more intimate, more insistent. He nipped her lower lip and moved at once inside it, coaxing her mouth open to permit the slow, steady penetration of his tongue.

She moaned and held him closer. She felt his mouth smile against hers, felt the increase of his pulse. Her own raced and she was breathless, but not because of her lungs.

His hands slid up her rib cage to caress her breasts with lazy delight.

She looked up into his eyes through a dazed mist as he caressed her.

“No more protests, Bernadette?” he teased softly.

She smiled lazily. “I like it,” she whispered. “Should I pretend that I don’t until we’re married?”

“That would be a waste of time,” he pointed out with a smile of his own. He looked down at the softness in his hands ruefully. “What I wouldn’t give to taste them. But considering the turn of my luck lately, a carriage full of gossips would drive by the second I put my mouth on you.”

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