Page 15 of Midnight Surrender to the Spaniard

‘He’s making a fool of himself.’

Anna realised then that they were speaking about José, who sat watching his wife dance, surrounded by male admirers. As Sebastián had predicted, Maria was making the night all about herself. Anna wondered if they were all being just a little harsh in their judgement, but she knew she did not know the full history.

Not that Emily and Alejandro seemed to mind... They were locked together, swaying with the music.

‘Tonight is Papá’s dream,’ Sebastián said.

‘No, he wanted Alejandro to marry Mariana.’

‘Well, tonight romance wins,’ Sebastián said with a wry edge. ‘Carmen...’ His voice was low. ‘He’s sick. God knows, there might never be another night like this when we’re all together at a celebration.’

‘Sebastián, por favor no digas eso.’

The desperation and expression in Carmen’s voice meant that Anna, even with her very basic Spanish, knew what had been said:Sebastián, please don’t say that.

And such was the rasp in Carmen’s voice that José looked over. They switched rapidly back to English—or rather Sebastián did, his voice low, clipped and authoritative.

‘Get up and ask your father to dance. And even if you have to glue your teeth together, smile and talk to Maria.’

No one, Anna noted, referred to her asMother.

‘Never!’ Carmen said, with Spanish passion. ‘I would rather die.’

‘Very well. You can regret it when Papá dies, then,’ Sebastián said, his voice low and harsh. ‘Grow up, Carmen. We can all play a part for one night.’

His stern lecture worked, because Carmen flicked back her long black hair and somehow forced a smile as she got up and went over to her father, holding out her hand. ‘Papá?’

Jose was clearly tired, but his face lit up at the invitation. He was more than delighted to get up and dance with his daughter.

‘I apologise for speaking over you,’ Sebastián said, and Anna turned her head in surprise.

‘It’s not a problem.’

‘Watch this,’ he said darkly, and she turned her eyes from his beautiful face and watched as—of course—Maria moved over to join in with José and Carmen.

‘Good girl,’ Sebastián said under his breath, when Carmen didn’t flounce off but instead danced with both her parents.

How rich his praise was, Anna thought.

‘You adore your father,’ she said.

‘Not always.’ Sebastián shook his head. ‘I love Carmen, though, and I don’t want her to regret things if she ignores him tonight.’

‘Is he very ill? Emily said he’s just had surgery.’

‘It went well.’ He gave a tight shrug. ‘But, as I just said to my sister, there won’t be many more celebrations like this. I am never going to be married, nor have children.’

‘That sounds very certain.’

‘More certain than the sun rising tomorrow,’ he confirmed. ‘And given that Carmen just broke up with...’ He screwed up his nose in distaste, no doubt referring to Carmen’s ex. ‘Perhaps a christening, though?’ He gave her a smile that said again that he was certain of the reason for this wedding. ‘Who knows?’

He really was the best man, working for peace and harmony behind the scenes, thought Anna. Emily constantly criticised him, and although Anna completely understood why—after all, he had done everything he could to break the happy couple up—there was a lot her friend didn’t see.

The faultlessness of the wedding preparations...how he’d danced with his mother just to stop her spoiling Emily’s night...how he’d insisted Carmen get up and at least appear to be celebrating. How he took the time to talk to a woman who was here without friends...

Anna knew it was simply out of duty, but she admired it all the same.

‘Are you close toyourfamily?’ he asked.

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