Once a Mistress by Debra Mullins

Author:Debra Mullins
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2011-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

The tiny island sat like a jewel in the crown of the Caribbean. Blue-shadowed mountains rose above green hills. White sandy beaches reflected the melon-colored hues of the setting sun. The water near the shore was so clear that a man could see straight to the bottom. Besosa. Home.

Alex inhaled the familiar scents of sea and hibiscus as the two crewmen steered the longboat toward the sandy shore. The entire population of Besosa’s only village cheered and called to him as he got out of the boat and helped the men drag the it through the shallow surf and up onto the beach. It was always thus when El Moreno came back to the island, he thought with fondness. He was their hero, their provider. He supplemented their livelihoods with the spoils of his travels.

He smiled broadly and waved to the people gathered along the beach. They responded with a deafening cheer, and a rush of pleasure surged through him. These were his people, men and women who had lived under the protection of the Rawnsleys since his father had first purchased the island some thirty years ago.

Alex had been born on Besosa and had spent his boyhood racing with William along the beaches and exploring the lush jungle of the island. Each boy in turn had been sent off to England at the age of seven for a formal education. William had learned of estates and tenants, and Alex had discovered the sea. He had rarely come back to the island after that, first joining His Majesty’s navy and then sailing the world aboard his own ship.

He had only returned home after Marcus had murdered William.

The people of Besosa had no idea that El Moreno and the new Earl of Rothstone were the same man. It had been so long since anyone had seen him that no one recognized him as the sun-browned youth who had terrorized the village with his boyish pranks.

Many believed El Moreno to be a black sheep relative of the Rawnsleys, a cousin or some such relation. Others thought that El Moreno was enamored of la patrona, their lady, the Countess of Rothstone. The rumors flew and grew more outrageous every time he dropped anchor and went up to the great house to pay his respects.

Alex raised his eyes to the stately manor on the hill. Though the distance was great, he thought he saw someone watching him from one of the windows. She knew he was home, he thought with a smile. She always knew.

A feminine shout made him jerk his head around. He had just enough time to catch the voluptuous young woman as she threw herself into his arms.

“Querido, you have returned to me at last.” Her husky voice imbued the Spanish word for ‘darling’ with sensual promise. Ebony hair fell like hot silk over his hands clenched at her waist. Soft, rounded breasts pressed against his chest.

“Rosana.” At a loss, Alex looked down into the hot brown eyes of the woman who had long been his lover.

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