Page 81 of Midnight Surrender to the Spaniard

The crew were clearing up, but he had a word and they melted away, and as she ended her call the cabin felt incredibly quiet.

‘Peace at last,’ Sebastián said.

‘They are rather loud,’ Anna agreed.

‘I meant between us.’

‘Oh...’ She took a breath. ‘Peace?’

‘We can do better than last night, can’t we?’

Yes, they could.

He poured her a fresh glass of champagne and they sat on one of the sofas. Conversation was a little awkward as they began an attempt to redefine their relationship as friends.

‘Today was beautiful,’ Anna said.

‘It went as well as it could. Thank goodness I kept it short.’

‘Your father was great with Carmen.’

‘Yes.’

She didn’t understand why he’d snapped at his sister when she’d told him how sensitive Carmen was about things, but she let it go, just pleased it had worked out.

‘And José got to hold the baby.’

‘Maria thought it should be her,’ Sebastián said, rolling his eyes.

Anna frowned and felt her arms goosebump. ‘She was a little jealous.’

‘She disappeared for twenty-five years and yet thinks she should hold her grandchild before my father!’

‘They do seem happy,’ she attempted, out of politeness, but then she recalledthatlook from Maria, and knew he wasn’t being harsh in his judgement.

‘For now.’

He gave a low, scoffing laugh, but Anna knew it wasn’t aimed at her.

‘Until she changes her mind.’

‘You don’t think she’ll leave?’

‘I think she came back because we thought he only had a few weeks to live. That changed after he had his surgery. I don’t know how long he’s got now. I just hope it’s longer than her attention span.’

‘Why would she be by his side if she didn’t love him?’

He didn’t answer.

‘Is it for the money?’ Anna asked. ‘Or because she wants to be sure she remains part of the brand?’

‘Both, in part.’ Sebastián didn’t soften. ‘But it’s more that she wants to be his widow, and wear black, and walk behind his coffin. Be the recipient of all the attention she craves.’

‘You don’t think she loves him?’

‘I believe she’s incapable of loving anyone other than herself.’

Anna sat there and tried to take it in, stunned. Then she looked at his serious expression and wondered how bad his relationship with his mother must have been for him to draw such a conclusion.

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