The black invader (7 page)

'I don't even know your brother and neither does he,' Kirstie insisted breathlessly. 'And I don't intend getting married to anyone at the moment!'

'You should consider it,' Miguel urged, and he placed his hands on her arms, drawing her towards him slowly so that she instinctively looked up at him.

Her mouth was soft and vulnerable with lips slightly parted, and he touched his own to them very lightly at first. It was when the pressure became more urgent that her breathing got so rapid and uneven, although it was obvious that he held a much deeper passion in check; a passion that he did not give rein to.

'Consider it,' he insisted against her tingling mouth, then suddenly turned away.

Dazedly Kirstie watched him, standing beside the gate into their tiny patio as he rode down between the orange trees leading the mare. A tall and stunningly virile figure, and menacing too in some curious way she didn't understand. And she wondered if she was ever going to understand the dangerously affecting character of the man.

CHAPTER THREE

Having gone without her rides for a couple of days Kirstie looked forward to going again. The broken girth had been repaired, so Miguel had informed her last night, and she got herself up early the following morning. She had ample time, but just in case she was gone longer than she expected, she left her grandfather's breakfast ready for him.

The mare was as delighted as she was herself that things were back to normal, and Kirstie was so eager to be off that she barely noticed the absence of the stallion from his stall as she led Scheherazade out into the stable yard. Evidently Miguel was an early riser too this morning, and she wasn't too bothered about 'meeting him as he usually went much farther afield first thing.

The day was already hot as she made for the olive groves, and she reminded herself of the need to keep a watch on the time; something she had never had to concern herself with before. Keeping an eye on the time took a little pleasure out of her ride, but she managed to go quite a distance before it became necessary for her to turn for home, and she was more than half way back when she realised that she was about to have company.

Recognising the familiar sleek lines of Miguel's usual horse, she felt her pulse flutter suddenly in anticipation, but then she realised that although the horse was his, he wasn't riding it. A swift check with her watch warned her that she should go on, but curiosity got the better of her and she deliberately slowed down to get a better look at the rider.

Even at a distance it was possible to detect a definite likeness to Miguel, and it was enough for her to make a guess at who he might be. He looked quite a

bit younger than Miguel, and his hair was more dark than jet black, but there was a similarity in the features that made her quite certain she was about to meet Luis Montaiies.

She recalled his brother's rather cynical description of him as a gallant romantic, and it was too much to resist waiting to see if it was true, which was why she stopped and waited for him to join her, as he evidently meant to do. He rode well and came fast, coming right up close before pulling the big stallion to a halt; a flamboyant gesture that was obviously done with the object of impressing her, and the look in his eyes was frankly and unashamedly appreciative of what he saw.

*Good morning, Senorita Rodriguez.' He looked quite incredibly pleased with himself when her smile confirmed his guess, and he lowered his head almost to his saddle bow in an exaggerated bow. *I am right, aren't I?'

Kirstie smiled, because he was a much different character from his brother. 'You're right,' she agreed.

'Luis Montaiies,' he told her. 'But you'll have been told I was coming I expect.'

'A little earlier than you were expected, I believe, Don Luis.'

He again bobbed his head in a bow, glowing brown eyes watching her in a way she could not pretend to object to. 'If I'd known what was in store for me when I got here, I'd have come even sooner,' he assured her. 'Are you on your way back, Senorita Rodriguez?' Reminded of the time again, Kirstie nodded. 'Then I'll come with you, if I may.'

Gallant and romantic had been Miguel's opinion of his youngest brother, and so far Kirstie could find no fault with it. He was in fact slightly better looking than Miguel and more slightly built, with his dark hair worn long enough to curl up over the collar of a blue shirt that in no way resembled the practical style his brother wore.

It was made of some silky material, open at the neck

to display a silk bandana, and the sleeves were full and fastened at the wrist with pearl studs. His short boots wefe of soft suede with fairly high heels that had silver spurs attached. He was very definitely a romantically attractive figure, and Kirstie suspected he was fully aware of the fact.

He had dark soulful eyes, and as they neared the house he turned them on her as he leaned across and clasped his fingers over hers. Tm so sorry you lost your home, Senorita Rodriguez,' he said in a voice that throbbed with emotion. 'It seems so wrong somehow that after having Casa de Rodriguez for so long you now have to live in that tiny barraca; I do feel for you, please believe me.'

Rather surprisingly his emotional offer of sympathy caused her more embarrassment than anything else, and Kirstie hastened to deny any need fofr pity. 'Oh, please don't let it worry you, Don Luis, we manage very well, and we're quite comfortable.'

She recalled uneasily all the times she had let Miguel see her resentment, but Miguel had never been so emotionally apologetic about taking over the house and estate, and nor had he ever looked at her with such big soulful brown eyes as Don Luis did. 'But don't you miss it?' he insisted, and she smiled at him rather vaguely.

'Yes, of course, Don Luis, but there's no use in crying over something one can't do anything about,' she told him, as if she had never cried in the past few painful weeks. 'We're lucky to be still living on the estate, and now that I have a job with Senor Montanes '

'Brave as well as beautiful,' Luis Montanes said gravely, and Kirstie again merely smiled. She was aware of him watching her with a warmly appreciative gaze that did a lot for her morale, and when they rode into the stable yard at the back of the house, he hurried to help her dismount then took the reins from her. 'I'll see to this for you,' he told her, and Kirstie smiled her thanks, not loath to be waited on for a change.

* You're very kind, senor, thank you.'

She hadn't smiled so much for quite a time, she realised, and obviously her smile was something that Luis Montaries found to his liking. For while he stood holding the two animals with both hands, his eyes were fixed on her, warm with pleasure. 'I've already been here two days', he said, 'why haven't I seen you before? I'd willingly have started work with Tio Enrique right away if I'd realised what I was missing!'

Kirstie felt a warm glow of satisfaction as she basked in the blatant invitation she saw in his eyes, and her own eyes smiled teasingly. Flirting was something she could indulge in quite naturally with Luis Montanes, and it seemed too long since she had enjoyed anyone's company as much as she did his. She chose to forget the occasion when Miguel had kissed her because Miguel was not a man one flirted with, he was much too fiery and forceful. Also thinking about Miguel at this particular moment was oddly discomfiting.

'Didn't they tell you there was a new secretary?' she asked, and Luis Montanes pursed a full lower lip before he answered.

'Tio Enrique said you were charming, which is what he says about most women, and Miguel said you were lovely—enchanting, I think was his description of you. But you see, I was judging you on Miguel's usual taste in women and I expected a tall and sophisticated thirty-year-old, not a dainty little creature Hke you.' For a moment his gaze was speculating rather than soulful and it looked quite at odds with the romantic image. 'When I think about it,' he went on, 'it wasn't like Miguel to remark on your looks, you must have impressed him.'

'I hardly think so,' Kirstie denied swiftly, and regretted the way she coloured so readily. 'Your brother and I have never managed to get along together; we treat each other with a kind of mutual—distrust.'

'Really?' He appeared unconcerned. 'Well, it isn't

important as you don't w6rk for him, is it? On the other hand, you'll be seeing quite a lot of me. I'm to work part of the time with Tio Enrique in the office and the rest with Miguel, and I must say I'm looking forward to the office work more than I am to riding around with Miguel.'

His meaning was unmistakable, and Kirstie felt a flutter of anticipation at the idea of working with him. 'I look forward to it too, Don Luis,' she told him, and wondered why he frowned suddenly.

* Before we go any further,' he stated firmly, *I insist you forget that Don Luis nonsense. A title may be all very well for my uncle and Miguel, or Jaime, but we're young enough to dispense with ceremony, eh, Kirstie?'

'If Senor Montanes has no objection,' said Kirstie, 'I don't mind in the least.'

'He won't,' Luis assured her confidently. ^

He had been smiling so self-confidently that Kirstie frowned when she saw the sudden change in his expression, but she had no need to turn and discover the reason when she heard the heavy tread of booted feet coming up behind her. It was typical of Miguel to put in an appearance at a moment like this, she thought, but when she eventually turned and saw how glower-ingly angry he looked, her heart fluttered anxiously. There must be something very wrong for him to look as he did, but her main concern at the moment was whether it was to be herself or his brother who was to take the brunt of his anger.

In a white shirt he looked stunningly dark by contrast, and fawn drill trousers emphasised muscular calves and thighs as he came striding towards them. Even his long legs seemed to express anger, for his gait was taut and stiff and his firm tread had an ominous sound on the hard ground.

He spared no time for pleasantries, but came straight to the point in a harsh, impatient voice. 'Luis, what the devil do you mean by taking my horse? You know I start immediately after breakfast and yet you went

prancing off without a thought, working the damned animal up into a sweat before Tve even started!'

Kirstie was an unwilhng witness, and her sympathy was automatically with the younger brother. Luis had coloured furiously and she knew it was mostly because she had been there to hear Miguel berate him like a thoughtless schoolboy. If she had thought for a moment that she had a chance of slipping away unseen she would have done so, but as it was, from the way Luis was looking at her, uneasily, almost apologetically, she realised she was going to be involved, however unwillingly.

'I thought you'd take the mare,' said Luis. 'I didn't think '

That Senorita Rodriguez would be taking the mare,' Miguel finished for him, and Kirstie stirred uneasily.

She felt bound to go to Luis's rescue, whatever risk she took of bringing Miguel's wrath down on her head. Obviously he had known nothing about her taking Scheherazade and so she felt partly to blame for the position he was in. Also he was good-looking and charming and he made her smile as she hadn't smiled for some time; it seemed a good enough reason to risk incurring Miguel's wrath.

*I didn't realise,' she said, coming in quickly before Luis could speak up for himself. *When I noticed the stallion was gone I automatically assumed you were already out. If I'd known you were going to need Scheherazade, naturally I wouldn't have taken her. But I'll remember in future, Don Miguel, not to take your horses without your specific consent—I'm sorry!'

Her intervention was obviously unexpected, for when Miguel turned to her his eyes were narrowed and gleamingly dark. 'You're as aware as my brother is that the mare isn't any use to me,' he said. 'She's a woman's horse, not a man's; she hasn't the stamina I need for a day's riding.' A deepening of his voice made the rest of his words audible only to her. 'Don't make me responsible for any more sacrifices on your part,

Kirstie, it isn't necessary!'

Kirstie's colour flared hotly and her eyes were bright and angry. She hated him for that jibe about making sacrifices and for the moment did not appreciate that he ha4 made it so that his brother did not overhear. If she had given rein to her temper, heaven knew what the outcome might have been, but in the event it was Luis Montanes who brought a calmer voice to the situation.

'I suppose I should have realised the mare was too light for you,' he said, his eyes on Kirstie. *rm sorry, Miguel, but I just didn't think.'

It was impossible for things not to cool down after that, and Miguel's fierce gaze was already less fearsome as he looked at the contrite face of his brother. He sighed and shook his head, then put a hand on Luis's shoulder. Try and think next time you feel like running my horse into the ground,' he told him, ^that's all I ask.' Luis stood still holding both horses and looking as if he wondered what to do next. 'If you were going to unsaddle for the senorita, you'd better go and do it,' Miguel advised mildly. *And give Hassan a rub down and then resaddle him for me, will you? I'll have to take him, but I'll give him a while to get his breath back first.'

'Yes, of course.' Luis seemed more than willing to do as he said, and a small flutter of rebellion stirred in Kirstie's breast on his behalf. Then he seemed to recall that he still had some unfinished business, and he half-turned, looking at Kirstie over his shoulder. 'I'll see you again, Kirstie?'

She nodded, aware of Miguel's swiftly arched brows when he noted the familiarity of her name, and her response was quite deliberately encouraging. 'Yes, of course, Luis; hasta luegoV

'Hasta luegof The brief look he gave Miguel was slightly but definitely triumphant, then he turned and led the two horses away.

Suddenly aware of the time again, Kirstie yet again found herself unexpectedly under escort by Miguel as

they crossed the stable yard, and she wondered if, now that his brother was gone, he meant to remark on their riding together. 'Unless you had breakfast before you came out,' he said, 'you haven't much time; it's already eight-thirty.'