Chapter 4

Spanish Embassy, London, England.

Ignacio de Soto strode along the stone path that lead from the Embassy barracks to the large front gates; he was doing his morning rounds, ensuring all was well with his men and the surrounding area. When he had taken up his position a year ago, he was shocked to find the Spanish Embassy was less secured than he imagined; not that anyone expected trouble from the English but the Ambassador WAS the representative of King Ferdinand and the Spanish Government and to simply allow anyone to walk through the gates, be they English aristocrats or beggars, without being stopped and questioned about their reasons for being within the grounds, of what was generally considered to be Spanish land, was shocking to him.

So with the approval of the Ambassador himself, he implemented new security measures that included having two armed sentries at the front gates instead of the one guard that his predecessor had opted for.

He also increased the number of lancers from four to eight, who continually patrolled the grounds in pairs to prevent or at least apprehend any intruders looking to create some mischief by climbing over the walls and in the first month alone, his lancers had stopped several thieves and even on one occasion, they had apprehended a French spy, dressed in English clothes, who had scaled the rear wall, looking for information on the Ambassador himself. They had done this simply by increasing the number of patrols around the grounds and he also made the duty shifts as random as possible so no one could accurately work out their weaknesses.

The squad of Royal Lancers were not only there to protect the Ambassador and his family and staff members as well as their guests but now they were required to ascertain the reasons for anyone wishing to visit and anyone without a good explanation would not be allowed into the grounds. He asked for and was given a daily list of any guests who were expected during the day, to ensure a smooth entrance to the grounds without any need for any embarrassing questions or searches.

He knew that he was probably being overly cautious but the responsibility was his and his alone; he would not be accused of dereliction of duty.

Now as he approached the gates, the sentries snapped to attention while Lieutenant Ricardo Estrada saluted his commanding officer. "Buenos dias, Don Ignacio." he greeted him respectfully.

"Buenos dias Lieutenant. At ease gentlemen." he said as he noticed several young boys playing outside the gates. "Any problems that I should know about?"

Estrada shook his head. "No sir, nothing we can't handle." he replied as he kept a wary eye on the boys who had been tormenting his men in the way of boys the world over.

Ignacio hid his smile at the way Estrada watched the boys with a wariness that he knew only too well, for he had been one of those boys himself. He and his friends had made fun of soldiers, each trying to prove to the others how brave and tough they were until a rather surly sergeant caught him and gave him such a spanking that he was unable to sit down for a week and from that day he kept clear of any military barracks until he was seventeen and joined the military himself.

"Do you consider these boys to be a threat, Lieutenant Estrada?" He asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Estrada smiled. "No sir, they are just being a pest, this is the third morning they have come here and I fear what may happen if they keep at it."

Ignacio snorted. "To you or to them."

"Both sir."

Ignacio gazed once more at the boys. "Well, let me know if it becomes too much, I don't want it getting out of hand and creating an international incident." he ordered.

Estrada came to attention. "Yes sir."

Ignacio nodded. "Good. Well I'll leave you to these pests."

"Yes sir."

The sentries came once more to attention as Ignacio turned and strode towards the path that lead to the garden; not only was it the quickest way to the embassy offices but it was also the nicest with its rose bushes and other flowering plants that were in full bloom but his mind was not on the peaceful surroundings as he thought about his duties for the day. Although he was in charge of security, it wasn't his only duty; he was being trained as a diplomat and perhaps one day, he might even become an Ambassador himself but he knew that day was very much in the future for he had a lot to learn.

"Why, Don Ignacio, you shouldn't be hurrying on such a beautiful morning."

Ignacio instinctively tightened his hand on his sword hilt at the unexpected voice but relaxed when he realised it was only the daughter of the Ambassador and not some intruder; he really should stop being so paranoid, he mused to himself as he turned and saw Senorita Bernardita Cortez and her chaperone Señora Valdez sitting in the shade of an oak tree, slowly fanning their faces.

He bowed with a polite smile on his face. "Buenos dias ladies. Please forgive my bad manners." He had walked straight passed them without seeing them. "If I had known that two such lovely ladies were enjoying the morning air, I surely would have stopped and expressed my admiration for such a beautiful day." He complimented.

Senorita Bernardita giggled and looked coyly up at him from behind her fan. "You're forgiven Don Ignacio, this time." she replied while Señora Valdez just frowned at him.

Ignacio hid his amusement at the Señora's reaction; she seemed to have a permanent frown on her face which became even more pronounced whenever he talked to her charge. Not that he was interested in the nineteen year old Bernardita; she was just a child. Now if it was Señora Rosalinda Granado, it would be a different story.

"So what was the reason for your haste? Is it some secret mission for my father?" Bernardita asked as she fanned herself.

He shook his head. "No, nothing so exciting Senorita. I have a meeting with Don Marcos." he replied.

"Well surely papa wouldn't mind if you stay and entertained us..."

"Bernardita, Don Ignacio isn't here to entertain you, he has duties to perform, even on such a lovely day." came a stern but feminine voice behind him.

Ignacio turned and this time the smile on his face was genuine as he saw the widowed sister of the Ambassador approaching them. "Buenos dias Señora, it is a lovely morning isn't it?" he said as he bowed his head. Now this was a woman that made his heart pound, a woman who was never coy or act like a silly girl to gain a man's attention, he mused to himself. Señora Granado was a grown woman and for the first time in a long time, he felt a longing to have something more in his life than just duty.

Rosalinda smiled warmly. "Yes it is a wonderful morning, Don Ignacio, it reminds me of Madrid in Spring." she replied as she saw his admiration in his gaze and felt a surge of feminine pride that she could still be of interest to a man, a rather handsome man at that, she thought to herself. She had heard many rumours about Ignacio de Soto, of his arrogance, of his ruthlessness in the American colonies but since she had arrived six months ago, he had been nothing but a gentleman towards her and although he was a strict disciplinarian to the lancers under his command, he had gained their respect as well as the respect of her brother, the Ambassador and of course herself. In fact, he had gained more than her respect and it was something that she hadn't felt since her husband died three years ago.

Ignacio smiled back. "Yes it certainly does seem like a spring day in Madrid and its unfortunate that we don't have more temperate weather in London to enjoy walks in the garden."

Rosalinda nodded. "We just have to make the best of what we have, don't you agree Don Ignacio?"

Bernardita frowned not liking the way her Aunt was taking up Don Ignacio's attention, especially after she had told her that he wasn't there to entertain and yet she was doing the same thing but before she could say anything, Señora Valdaz stood up. "If you will excuse us Señora, Don Ignacio, we have a lot of preparations to arrange for the party tonight. Come Senorita." she stated politely but firmly. She had seen the look of annoyance on her young charge's face at having lost the attention of Don Ignacio and she thought it prudent to leave before inappropriate words were spoken.

Bernardita flicked an angry look at Señora Valdaz but the older lady didn't react. She held back a sigh as she too stood up. "Will we be seeing you at the party Don Ignacio?" she asked with a smile on her face; perhaps she might be able to speak with him alone during the dance. If she could just escape from Señora Valdaz, she mused to herself, then she would have his full attention.

Ignacio bowed his head. "Of course I will be there Senorita." he replied politely.

Señora Valdaz bustled her young charge away leaving Ignacio and Rosalinda alone in the garden.

Rosalinda sighed softly as they started walking in the direction of the offices. "Please forgive my niece, Don Ignacio but you can see why my brother has Señora Valdaz as her duenna. Bernardita can be a little presumptuous in her attitude and needs a strict hand."

He smiled. "There is nothing to forgive Señora Granado, she is young." he paused and gazed at the woman walking beside him. "Besides I can imagine that all young ladies test the resolve of their duennas at some time. Perhaps even yourself." He added with a teasing gleam in his blue eyes.

She chuckled. "Oh yes, you have no idea what I put mine through. She blamed me for giving her all her grey hair but looking back to that time, she was right to do what she did, after all she protected me from making a fool of myself, even though I hated every minute of it." She paused as she returned his gaze. "But now that I'm a widow, I can be as presumptuous as I like without getting into trouble from an overbearing chaperone and so, if I may be so bold Don Ignacio, to reserve a dance or two with you tonight, I would be most pleased. Perhaps even the last dance." she added daringly.

My god, she IS interested in me, he mused to himself. He wasn't sure before but as he held her gaze and felt his heart pounding in his chest, he knew that she was. He definitely liked her boldness in asking for a dance or two; in fact he like everything about her. "Not only will it will be an honour but it will also be my pleasure to have the last dance with you." he replied.

Rosalinda felt a surge of excitement at his acceptance; she hadn't felt this way since she was a young woman being asked for her very first dance. "It would be my pleasure too." she replied softly as they reached the entrance of the building and stopped at the bottom of the steps. "You know the de la Vegas don't you?" she asked.

Ignacio was startled by the sudden change in topics. "Do you mean Alejandro de la Vega and his son Diego, from California?" he paused as she nodded. "Yes I know them, why?" he asked curiously.

She smiled. "I've received a letter from my cousin in Madrid yesterday and it seems the King is going to bestow a high honour on Diego de la Vega. He is going to make him a Marqués."

He smiled warmly. "Ah at last. That's great news" he replied, pleased for his one time enemy.

It was Rosalinda's turn to look curious. "You know about that then."

He nodded. "I've known for some time. Do you know when the ceremony will be?"

"I believe it's at the end of September." she replied.

"Hmmm." Ignacio stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I wouldn't mind seeing them again." he said.

Rosalinda smiled. "I'm sure my brother won't mind you taking some leave, why don't you ask him."

He smiled as they walked up the steps and into the building. "I might just do that." He replied as he took a risk and reached out for her hand. "As much as I would like to stay and continue our conversation, I must bid you farewell until this evening." he said before he planted a soft kiss to her hand, his blue eyes never leaving her grey ones.

She felt a flush of excitement rise over her neck at his gallantry. "I understand, until later Don Ignacio."

Ignacio bowed his head before he turned and walked towards the flight of stairs that went up to the first floor offices. There was a spring in his step as he thought about Señora Granado and wondered how far a relationship with her could go, perhaps even to a courtship and beyond. He shook his head in amazement, he couldn't believe that he was thinking about courting a lady; it was a strange but rather exciting concept.

Spain.

Vargas spent two weeks in Madrid finalising several business deals; both legal and otherwise before he informed his housekeeper and his acquaintances that he was going on a business trip and that he would return within five or six weeks. The stranger had given him plenty of time to reach his destination and if by any chance that his target hadn't arrived by the third week of September, he was to return back to Madrid and wait for further instructions.

He began his journey south from Madrid, after having decided that the best option was to travel by horse and not by stage coach; he needed the time and opportunity to search for the best locations to arrange the accident that the stranger had wanted and he couldn't do that while sitting inside a stage coach. He also needed his horse in case he had to flee from the authorities in a hurry and to get to one of many safe places that he knew.

He was curious to know how the stranger came to believe that Cadiz would be place where he would wait; there several other ports including Barcelona and even Valencia that he could travel to but in the end, he was being paid to do a job and he would do it, even if it that meant waiting for someone who may or may not arrive. It was the stranger's money, not his and in the meantime he would enjoy the sights of Cadiz and perhaps arrange a business deal or two.

A/N. I have made de Soto a more mature man, a man more comfortable with himself; considering that this is about 18 months or so after the death of Risendo. He's already gone through the period of retrospection of his past behaviour and now he has come out the other end a better man.