Once a Soldier (Rogues Redeemed) by Mary Jo Putney Read Free Book Online Page A

regent.”
    “Of course. I would do so now, but I assume he has retired for the day.” He hesitated before continuing, “I gather Prince Alfonso is advanced in years and not in the best of health?”
    “Tactfully put,” she replied. “Yes, he is very old and his wits sometimes wander.” Often, in fact. “He mistakes Sofia for her mother. And me for my mother.”
    “Will Princess Maria Sofia make a good ruler if she ascends the throne?”
    The topic was one that Athena and Sofia had discussed often. Obsessed about, in fact. “Sofia is intelligent and a good judge of people, and she has a strong sense of duty. She will not flinch from her responsibilities. But her nature is gentle, and she wasn’t raised to rule, since it seemed unlikely that she would inherit the crown. She’s working hard to remedy the deficits in her knowledge and she’s very popular with the people, but she’s not ready to rule. By Gabrileño law, she can’t take the throne until she turns twenty-five, a little over a year from now. She will be better prepared by then.”
    “She is fortunate to have you.” Masterson lifted the carafe of wine and topped up both goblets. “The loaded rifle made introductions brief. What should I call you? Miss Markham, Mrs. Markham, or Lady Athena?” He gave her a smile that took her breath away. “Athena, goddess of wisdom and war. Being called Lady Athena suits you.”
    The warmth in his smile gave her a stab of painful yearning for what could never be. Her voice sharp to put more distance between them, she said, “I’m sometimes called Lady Athena because I tend to give orders. The title would be correct if I were legitimate, but since I’m not, Miss Markham will do.”
    She expected him to look shocked or disapproving, but he merely put the last piece of sausage on a slice of bread and didn’t bat an eyelash. “All babies are legitimate. What their parents did or didn’t do is irrelevant to the reality of a live, bouncing infant.”
    Startled, she said, “There aren’t many who would agree with you.”
    He offered her a half smile. “They’re wrong, I’m right. My favorite relative is illegitimate and, to the best of my knowledge, he has neither horns nor hooves.”
    A defensive knot in her midriff eased. “Your attitude is refreshing, Major Masterson.”
    “Call me Will.” He scooped olives from the platter. “Most people do, unless I’m their commanding officer.”
    She smiled and surrendered to the ease that wanted to flow between them. “Then you should call me Athena, though I make no claim to special wisdom.”
    He studied her, his gray eyes thoughtful. “How did you come to be here, Athena? If you’ve lived in San Gabriel for five years, you must have arrived in 1809, when war was exploding throughout this part of Europe. Do you have a mad adventurous streak?”
    “When I arrived, the situation was much more dangerous than I expected,” she admitted. “Do you want the whole dramatic story of my bad judgment and close calls, or will the short version suffice?”
    “I most certainly want to hear the long story soon.” He covered a yawn. “But for tonight, the short version will do because it would be unpardonably rude if I fell asleep in the middle of the full, dangerous account.”
    Athena considered where to begin. “The Alcantara family has always maintained strong ties with Britain. Since my mother had friends here, I visited San Gabriel as a child. Long enough to learn the language and make friends of my own.
    “Five years ago, Uncle Carlos—the king—wrote me to say his wife had died and could I come to San Gabriel because he wanted an English companion and teacher for Sofia. Someone who also knew San Gabriel.” She smiled a little. “He didn’t know anyone else who fit that description, I suspect. The letter arrived in the middle of a cold, wet English winter, so I immediately accepted. The plan was that I’d stay with Sofia for three years, until she turned