He was given the appointment yesterday afternoon. Shortnotice , especially if he is expected to reachParis before the agreements that are to be the products of the current negotiations are signed. Or perhaps that isn't the intent. Perhaps Ferdinand simply feels it necessary to have a representative there at this critical juncture."

"Forgive me, your grace," Sebastian said, almost interrupting the spate of speculation. "Are you saying Delgado is going toParis ?"

"Has gone, according to my informants."

Wellingtonhad always had remarkably well-informed "correspondents," as he had called his secret sources during the war. Apparently, some of those were still in operation, and given the accuracy of their past communiques, Sebastian had little cause to doubt what the duke had been told.

"I must confess, knowing how you felt aboutWetherly and what you believe about Delgado's role in his death, I was relieved to hear of his departure,"Wellington said.

The implications of this appointment were only now beginning to penetrate. The primary one was, of course, that Delgado was no longer within his reach because he was no longer inMadrid . It was even possible, Sebastianrealized, that he had watchedJulian's departure forFrance last night.

His servants had been placed under the threat of death to keep his ward secured until he returned.

Perhaps they hadn't been particularly eager to track Delgado down in order to inform him that she was missing.

"By the way," the duke added, "the colonel's been given a title commensurate with his new duties.

Apparently he had been petitioning for it for some time. Ferdinand decided that his representative should carry with him all the pomp and circumstances of the Spanish court--the pre-Bonaparte court, of course."

"And Delgado is nowCondedel Castillo," Sebastian said.

It seemed the bastard had succeeded in whatPilar believed he had set out at the beginning to accomplish.

"It appears your sources are as good as mine, Captain Sinclair.How surprising."

Wellingtonwas no fool. Sebastian could only hope that in the press of his own duties, his commander wouldn't have time to wonder too long about how he, a lowly staff officer, had obtained information about the inner workings of the Spanish court.

"And with the count inParis ," the duke went on, "you must do exactly as I advised you before.

Whatever your suspicions, he is certainly beyond the reach of them now. I should suppose his ward is traveling with him. I understand they are to be married soon. Perhaps they will honeymoon inParis , something no one but the French have been able to do since the Peace of Amiens."

This time Sebastian was wise enough to hold his tongue. Whatever Delgado would be doing inParis , it would not involve his ward, the girl he had hidden in the kitchens of this very house.

"As for the rest of us, we shall be leaving soon forBordeaux to meet the transport ships there. I promised you should be home before the end of June, and so you shall. I'm very glad you did nothing to jeopardize what should be a joyous reunion with your family. I suspect Dare should never have forgiven me if I'd allowed you to come to harm after the dangers of war were past. As it is, you may be home in time to interrupt Major Sinclair's honeymoon, which, I assume, is not taking place inParis ."

Wellingtonwas almost jovial. He had probably been worried that Sebastian would do exactly what he had done. Now, of course, he believed the danger of the youngest Sinclair precipitating an international incident had passed. And his relief was obvious, both as His Majesty's envoy and as the Earl of Dare's friend.

"I think you may safely make that assumption, your grace."

Wellingtonsmiled. "I confess, Sin, the idea of your attempting to avenge Harry's death gave me more than a few sleepless hours. Given your previous... shall we say impetuousness, I applaud your control in this situation. I can only imagine what a temptation it must have been to act upon your suspicions. The fact that you chose not to demonstrates a maturity and attention to duty I commend. I know your brothers would be very proud if they knew."

"Thank you, your grace," Sebastian answered, because there was literally nothing else he could say.

Delgado was gone, and in a few days he himself would be leaving forEngland . And the only thing left to be settled...

For a moment the image of the girl's face, as she had lain in his arms last night, filled his head. He had taken her by force. And in doing so, he had promised her that he would kill her guardian and free her from the bastard's control.

It seemed that accomplishing the first was nowan impossibility . And as for the second, he could think of only one way he could possibly guarantee that now.

Chapter Six.

"And there's none braver, my lady,"Malford said. "LordWetherly always said he'd rather have Captain Sinclair--Sin, as he called him--by his side in a hard fight than anyone else in the whole army.A very fine officer, as well as a gentleman from an old and distinguished family. A younger son and untitled, you understand, but much favored by his brothers. Or so I've been told."

In the circle in whichPilar had grown up, it would have been considered highly improper to entertain servants' gossip and almost unforgivable to solicit it. In these circumstances, however, it had seemed this might be the only way to obtain information about the man who had abducted her. And LordWetherly's valet had proven a veritable font of that.

Now she had a much clearer understanding of the relationship that had existed betweenMalford's late master and Sebastian Sinclair. She had also been provided with more details aboutJulian's deception, which had led to the viscount's death. Hearing them, she understood why the captain had been suspicious of her role. She also knew why he was so bent on revenge.

As she had listened toMalford's praise, she found she was considering the tantalizing possibility that Sebastian might actually succeed in his goal. Given both his courage and ability, believing that he might be the one who could bestJulian was a temptation.

"And his oldest brother is an earl, I believe you said?"

"The Earl of Dare, my lady.Friend of the Duke of Wellington as well as a member of the Regent's inner circle, if you take my meaning."

They turned almost guiltily as a soft knock sounded at the door. It opened before either of them had time to respond. Sebastian stepped into the room, closing the door quickly behind him.

His eyes had soughtPilar first, and he seemed surprised she was sitting on the edge of the bed rather than lying upon it as he'd left her. Or perhaps it was her appearance that shocked him. Since he had abducted her in her nightgown, however, just as he had threatened, she had been left little choice in her attire.

She had managed to fashion a shawl from the thin coverlet she'd found at the foot of the bed. Draped about her shoulders and held together over the front of her rail, the makeshift garment was more modest than her ball gown had been. Sebastian's eyes had made a quick downward survey of its arrangement before they fastened on her face.

"Your headache seems improved."

She couldn't decide if there had been a note of censure in the comment. Even if there were, her answer would be the same.

"Yes, it is, thank you," she said almost formally.

His eyes held on hers for a moment before he turned to the batman. The tilt of his head toward the door was almost imperceptible, butMalford responded eagerly, springing up from the windowsill where he'd propped his hip.

"If you'll excuse me, my lady," he said, as he started across the room, "I'm sure I've taken up enough of your day with my chatter."

She inclined her head, smiling an unnecessary dismissal. After all, it was very apparent from whom he was taking his orders.

As soon as he had slipped out the door, closing it behind him as furtively as Sinclair had opened it,Pilar looked back at the man who had kidnapped her. He was watching her with what could only be called speculation. Seeing it, she raised her brows questioningly.

"What is it?" she asked.

When he didn't answer immediately, anxiety began to tighten her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

"It seems your guardian is no longer inMadrid ."

His tone had been without inflection, but as she absorbed the news, she realized what a bitter disappointment this must have been for him. It was not until several seconds later that she even thought to wonder what it would portend for her.

"Then...where is he?"

Normally she would think that the farther awayJulianwas, the better.In this situation...

"King Ferdinand has sent him toParis ."

"ToParis?"

"As his representative.There are talks going on there between the ambassadors of the crowned heads ofEurope concerning what to do withFrance 's conquered territories, now that Napoleon has abdicated."

"And the king sentJulian to representSpain ?"

Despite Ferdinand's gratitude over her guardian's efforts in his cause, it was bizarre that a man without any official standing at the royal court should have been given such a responsibility.

"It seems your guardian's petition has been granted," Sebastian said softly.

Still coming to terms with the shock thatJulian was no longer inSpain , it took longer than it should have for that more emotionally significant piece of information to register. When it did, she felt a flood of renewed grief and bitterness on her father's behalf.

"The king has given him my father's titles."

"Apparently he felt that would be in keeping with Delgado's appointment."

"And the rest?" she asked.

A small crease formed between themidnight brows. "I would assume the lands are attached to the title, although I have to confess, I was told nothing of what was entailed in the appointment."

"I had reference to the other." She wondered if he had forgotten what she had told him or if it were simply unimportant to him.

"The other?"

She took a breath before she asked, attempting to slow her heart. "I was merely curious as to whether His Majesty has also granted permission forJulian to marry the daughter of the man he murdered."

Had the king given her away as casually as he had disposed of the lands and titles that had once belonged to a man who had raised an army to help restore him to the throne?

"As I've been reminded rather frequently of late, one must have proof in order to accuse the king's favorite. I doubt you could prove that accusation any more than I am likely to be able to prove he murdered my friend."

"So he has escaped again," she said.

"For the time being.Will they send word toFrance that you're missing?"

She thought about the panic that would have ensued within the household when it was discovered she was gone. She could almost picture her maid's frantic search of her room and her resulting wails of terror.

Poor Anna.

"The servants would be too afraid to tell him, I think. I don't know which of his men went withJulian toParis , but...I suppose it's possible that whoever he left in charge here might be foolish enough to send him word."

"Foolish because confessing they had failed would be dangerous?"

Shelaughed, the sound without humor. Failure was always dangerous. Everyone who worked forJulian knew that.

They would be terrified to tell him and equally terrified that he might somehow find out that they hadn't.

She herself had been in that same position on several occasions. And she had always opted to keep silent in the hope that whatever she was hiding wouldn't come out.

This man couldn't possibly understand the dreadJulian's staff would be feeling this morning when they discovered she was gone. Despite her firsthand knowledge, she still found it difficult to grasp the scope of her guardian's cruelty, both to those who worked for him and to his soldiers, who followed him from fear rather than any sense of loyalty.

"Whoever was in charge will pay with his life for my disappearance-- if he is foolish enough to wait there untilJulian returns. Unless I can be found or return on my own."

She couldn't be sure who would be held responsible. And no matterwho it was, the servants or one of Julian's men, if they didn't run away, they would be made to suffer for something that was not their fault.

"You want to go back to him?" Sebastianasked, his tone incredulous. "Believing that he was responsible for your father's death?"

"Giving him an excuse to add another death to that toll won't bring my father back.Or your friend.

Believeme, the guilt I already bear for incitingJulian's rages is quite sufficient already."

"The guilt you bear? You aren't responsible for what he does."

"You don't understand. Every time I disobey him--"

"What I understand," he broke in, "is that your guardian set out to create the perfect wife, someone who is properly cowed and submissive. Apparently he's succeeded. And considering what you once were, that's the real tragedy of your life."

What you once were... He meant that day by the river.

The accusation that she was no longer the girl who had been brave enough to threaten him with his own sword cut her to the heart. That day, however, had been a turning point in her relationship with her guardian.

She, who had been taught courage and honor from the cradle, had been forced since the incident by the river to balance the demands of the two in ways no one should have to. Whatever elseJulian was, he was a man who understood human nature. When she had begged for Sebastian Sinclair's life, her guardian had been given the key to understanding hers.

From then on, any disobedience to his will resulted in swift and brutal punishments, but those were never inflicted on her. That she would have borne. In some perverse way, she would even have welcomed them as a form of penance for having been unknowingly responsible for her father's death.

Instead of punishing her, however,Julian made others suffer in her stead.

"If I am late one minute in returning from a ride," she said, trying to make this arrogant English soldier with his talk of submissionunderstand what her life had been, "then the groom who accompanies me is beaten. If I displeaseJulian in my dress or my demeanor, especially when we are in public, my maid is beaten when we return home. Often I'm not even aware that I've given offense until I'm forced to witness his retaliation against some innocent victim. And so I freely confess that I try never to displease him."

It wasn't fair that this man would take that hard-learned lesson and use it as a scourge against her. She understood what was at stake if she defiedJulian . He didn't.

"It doesn't matter what you think of me," she went on. "You may believe me cowed and submissive. Or even a coward if you choose. I do what I do to keep others from being hurt in my stead. Like the anger you felt for the friend who died in your place, I can't bear the thought of someone else paying the price for my supposed transgressions. Not even, God help me, if that person is you."

She had once compared his smile toJulian's . This time, his eyes locked on hers, it was very slow in coming. When it did, there was no mockery in it. No coldness. And seeing it, inexplicably her heart lifted.

"No matter what you fear," he said, "for me or for others, I swear to you that if you will do what I ask of you, he'll never use that threat to control you again. You have my word, as an officer and a gentleman, as well as my word as a Sinclair. And I promise you, I can make no pledge more binding than that."

There was a steadfast assurance in the quiet words. Despite what she knew of her guardian, she found herself believing Sebastian.Perhaps because she wanted to so much. And so, almost mesmerized by the promise of what he had offered, she nodded.

"We'll embark fromBordeaux . There's always confusion in any operation of that size, but especially in this one, where a large number of dependents are to be transported as well as the troops."

"And I would go on board as one of those dependents?" she asked.

The idea of leavingSpain and traveling to a foreign country with a man who was virtually a stranger was almost more frightening than the thought of returning toJulian's house to deal with the consequences of her disappearance.Almost. If she had not read the absolute sincerity, as well as the certainty, in those blue eyes, she might not have been willing to listen to even this much of his plan.