The Soldier's Rebel Lover

‘Our father was far too lenient with you. Besides, it is I who is now custodian of Hermoso Romero,’ her brother replied stiffly. ‘Your reputation is a reflection on me. It will be said that I cannot take care of my own sister, if you are seen out alone. It will be said that I do not treat her with respect.’

‘Then, you can reply that you trust me to be on my own. That is treating me with respect. That is what Papa would say.’

Romero seemed with difficulty to control his temper. For some reason, Finlay noticed with interest, the subject was a sore point with him. ‘Our father is dead,’ he said, speaking sharply to his sister. ‘It is clear to me that you have been completely overindulged. I do not envy Gabriel the schooling of you.’

There was no mistaking the flash in the señorita’s golden eyes at this remark, though she clasped her hands tightly round her riding crop and did not rise to the bait. Finlay however, who had been standing quietly to one side, could not resist. ‘She is not a child, Romero.’

‘She is a woman. It is almost the same thing,’ the other man snapped. ‘Excuse me, but this is none of your concern, Mr Urkarty.’

‘I beg your pardon, señor.’ Finlay spoke through clenched teeth, although his smile was conciliatory—he hoped. ‘Señorita Romero strikes me as a most competent horsewoman.’

‘Naturally. It is in her blood.’

The arrogance of the man! ‘And she has, I understand, been accustomed to riding out alone while your father was alive, without damaging her reputation?’

‘That is not the point, Mr Urkarty.’

‘No, Señor Romero, you are quite right, it is not. The point is to choose your battles more carefully. I have three sisters of my own, and so speak from experience. A little leeway in small matters will buy you a great deal of credit when it comes to the larger ones.’

Romero’s temper hung in the balance for a few moments. The man was not accustomed to being contradicted, that was for certain. Finlay shot a warning glance at the object of their conversation, but her eyes were fixed firmly on her boots. Unlike her brother, she knew when to keep her mouth shut.

Finally, Romero spoke. ‘Three sisters,’ he said with a smile every bit as forced as Finlay’s. ‘I confess, I don’t envy you that. Perhaps it is because I have only the one that I am overprotective. Very well, I will take your advice, Mr Urkety. Provided she confines herself to our estate, I do not see why—you see Isabella, how magnanimous I can be.’

‘I— Thank you, Xavier.’

Her brother, however, was distracted by the return of his stable hand carrying a note. Señorita Romero turned to Finlay. ‘I must thank you, too, Mr Urquhart,’ she said softly. ‘Every time I am permitted to slip my leash a little, I will think of you.’

Her smile was demure, but her eyes were stormy. ‘If it was in my power I would cut your leash completely,’ Finlay replied. ‘You know, I...’

An exclamation from Romero made them both turn around. ‘It is Estebe, who is in charge of the winery. The man has fallen from a tree, would you believe.’

‘Oh, no, Xavier, is he badly injured?’

Romero frowned. ‘A broken leg. It is very inconvenient, for I had intended he take Mr Urkety on a tour of the cellars tomorrow. I have urgent business elsewhere, which I am loath to cancel, but...’

‘Cannot Señorita Romero escort me instead?’ Finlay asked.

‘Oh, yes, please allow me to take Estebe’s place,’ Isabella urged. ‘While you were at war, while Papa’s health was failing, I helped Estebe a great deal. Of course I know that compared to you and Estebe, I am a mere novice, but I do know the history of our home and of the wine, and I am sure that is something Mr Urquhart will wish to be able to impart to his customers.’

Romero pursed his lips. ‘It would be most irregular.’

‘Aye, but your sister speaks the truth,’ Finlay corroborated, masking his surprise. ‘My customers like to know a bit about the background and provenance of the wines they are being asked to pay a pretty penny for. And I would hate to deflect you from important business.’

‘Very well. Yes, when you put it that way.’ Romero smiled thinly at his sister. ‘Another favour granted, Isabella. I hope you are keeping count. You may supervise some tastings, brief Mr Urkety on the history, perhaps even compile some notes for him. She writes a fair enough hand, Mr Urkety, I will grant her that. And now, if you will excuse me, I must return to the house. I will see you both at dinner.’

Señorita Romero watched him go before turning to Finlay. ‘If I was not cursed with the brain of a mere woman, I would suspect you of very manipulative behaviour, Mr Urquhart.’

‘Ach, now, I wouldn’t put it quite as strongly as that.’

She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘How would you put it?’

‘Now, there, you see, you’ve put me on the spot, for if I was to confess that your brother’s company is not nearly as appealing to me as yours, you would likely accuse me of being condescending rather than manipulative. But don’t, I beg you, try to pull the wool over my eyes.’