Winter Bride by Iris Johansen

Author:Iris Johansen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, General, Contemporary, Fiction
ISBN: 9780553441864
Publisher: Bantam Classic & Loveswept
Published: 1992-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Eight

"Madre de Dios! You brought me here for this?" Ramon's dark eyes were dagger-hard in his plump face as he glared at Ysabel. "I'm not in the business of reclaiming family treasures, Jed."

"Don't get on your high horse, Ramon." Ronnie grinned at him as she hoisted herself to sit on a table. "She needs your help and you know what a courtly gentleman you are beneath all those prickles."

Ramon turned his glower on her. "I'm a patriot, not a gentleman. The two do not mix in this country."

"So much for him liking you better," Jed murmured. "I need this favor, Ramon."

"Perhaps I'd better explain just what it is I need." Ysabel took a step forward to face Ramon. "It's possible he won't have the courage to help me."

Ramon's tone dipped another ten degrees. "I don't have to prove my courage to you, Senora."

She took a deep breath. "You call yourself a patriot, but are you brave enough to tweak Marino's nose and steal his most valuable possession?" She heard Ronnie's swift intake of breath and sensed Jed's sudden stillness but ignored them both, her gaze focused on Ramon. "Are you a patriot enough for that, Senor Damirez?"

Ramon's expression was suddenly wary. "And what is that possession?"

"His son."

Jed muttered an expletive. "What the devil are you talking about? Marino has no son."

Ysabel had caught a flicker of expression on Ramon's face. "I believe Senor Damirez knows better." she said softly. "Don't you, senor?"

"Ramon?" Jed asked.

"There are certain… rumors."

"What rumors?".

"Of a boy being held at the Castillo del Fuego whom the General visits every month." Ramon's voice was cautious as he gazed at Ysabel. "How did you know of the boy?"

Ysabel hesitated and then said in a rush, "I'm his sister."

"Holy Toledo." Ronnie closed her mouth, which had dropped open, and began to chuckle. "And Jed said there was no story here."

"The lady failed to confide in me," Jed said coldly.

Ysabel gazed at him pleadingly. "Can't you see I couldn't tell you about Steven? What if you'd thought the danger was too great and not agreed to bring me? I've waited seven years to free him from that Castillo."

"They call him Manuel now— " Ramon said. "You're truly Marino's daughter?"

Her lips twisted bitterly. "I was born of his seed, but I am not that monster's daughter."

"You can't have it both ways."

"I can and I will." Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I'm not here to discuss my parentage. I have a plan for his escape, but I need help to get him from the castillo back to the cruiser."

"What plan?" Ramon asked.

"My late husband has had a guard at the castillo in his pay for the last seven years. After his death I took over the contact. The guard's name is Pedro Ridelez. When I give him the word, hell tell Steven to be in the courtyard at eight in the morning the day after tomorrow, open the gate, and delay the guard manning the gate for twenty minutes. That's all the time well need.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.