Page 52 of Love Me Once

Chapter Ten

Roman had to listen as Joaquin gleefully recounted all he’d heard in the short time they’d been at Las Colinas. Things Joaquin thought Roman already knew.

“Will you and Señora Forrester and Antonio move here instead of staying at Las Colinas? I am sure Commodore Hightower would stay at the estates, but what with Señora Forrester’s uncle in residence, I can hardly think that would be comfortable for either of them. What would such a man do? No home? Though who would credit the king giving him a pardon? He must have bribed the man—er, the king—into handing over such a paper. It’s the only thing that makes sense. The monarchy always needs money after a war.”

“When did you become an expert on the Spanish Crown?” Roman could deal with the whirlwind of information Joaquin imparted—that was his forte. However, he was most attuned to the danger presented by Francisco Belgrano. He stacked the turbulent emotion of his reunion with Shelene and the news of his son neatly away, in a place where he could keep them alone and protected. Belgrano would certainly use them to hurt Roman, if he thought Roman cared even one small bit.

Roman could see his error clearly now. Marriage was a mistake for a man like him. His enemies were everywhere.

“I thought we were talking about Señora Forrester and your son?”

It wasn’t that hehada son, it was that Shelene had said nothing about him. If Shelene had told him about her uncle and about their son, he would have acted immediately. Now he was two miles away and Belgrano had time to plan.

That purposeful omission told him more about Shelene’s state than anything he had seen or heard. She knew Roman’s low opinion of Belgrano.

“Joaquin,” he said, in a tone that Joaquin knew well, having traveled together so long.

“Yes, mi’lord.”

“First, while we are in Spain, you must call me Señor Forrester, not my lord.”

“Yes, mi’lord.”

Roman shook his head. “Take the luggage inside then stable the horse. There are numerous rooms in the house, though I haven’t a clue where you will find a bed among them. Just make yourself at home. There is probably food in a pantry. Use your nose.”

“Mama sent food with me. There is plenty for both of us.”

“Thank you but I have a few things I must take care of. Good night, Joaquin.”

“Señor Forrester?”

“Yes?”

“I’m really happy we made it back home.”

Roman clapped him on the back. “As am I, and I have you to thank. We’ll talk tomorrow about your position here.”

After Joaquin set about his task, Roman strolled to the drystone wall along the property, at the edge of the small cliff overlooking Shelene’s valley and hills. The quarter-moon shined a silver light on the buildings and some other outcroppings.

He had a son!Antonio.

His own father was named Anthony. But he didn’t expect Shelene was going to run into his arms just because she’d been thoughtful about giving his son a family name.

He pushed away from the wall, listening to the sounds of the night. He heard Joaquin in the lonely barn, singing to the horse while he fed and rubbed the creature down.

There was a spring at the back of the house, which hopefully had been converted into the Roman-style bath and fountains he’d instructed in the plans. The water was one of the reasons he’d been so interested in this property, along with its proximity to the Hightowers and Las Colinas. Just a piece of land and a hope, then.

Exhaustion weighed his shoulders, but he didn’t know how he was going to sleep. Once inside the house, he found the first large room, comfortable and cool. There were a few candles lit, so he followed the faint beam and found the kitchen. Mrs. Spencer sat at the table with Oliver, a bounty of food between them.

“I thought you would be asleep, especially you, Oliver.”

“Believe it or not, I am feeling much the new man. Why are you here? I thought you would be at Las Colinas. With…with Shelene.” Roman would send for a doctor tomorrow. Oliver was healing, but Roman wanted to make sure he had the best care before returning to London.

“A few problems which you will hear about forthwith. Where did the food come from?” he asked. The kitchen was large, with a block table and twelve chairs. There was a generous arch that led outdoors to an open, generous portico. Roman glanced outside to see the massive outdoor fireplace, spits and bread ovens all covered by an elegant, soaring wood roof but with several open walls.

“It seems you have had a full staff for months since your wife returned. They were happy to have someone to spoil,” Oliver said.

“Good, good.” So, his letter had reached Mr. Fisk, Roman’s solicitor in Cadiz. While Roman hadn’t been specific in his needs, Fisk was his usual efficient self and realized what it meant that Roman was married and that Shelene was living at Las Colinas.

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