Sins of a Duke by Suzanne Enoch Read Free Book Online Page B

across a group of Spanish soldiers attacking a small, beautiful city located between a low range of mountains and a deep, secluded harbor. We drove them off, and the people thanked us with a three-day-long feast. As we were preparing to leave and meet up with the main forces, Qental, King of the Mosquito Coast, arrived. Seeing that I was English, he told me that without outside help even isolated parts of the Mosquito Coast such as this one would be lost to Spain. And then he gave it to me.”
    She’d heard the story a hundred times, but Josefina still enjoyed listening to it. Her gaze caught Melbourne, to find that he was looking straight back at her. She didn’tknow what he might be hoping to see, but to herself she could admit that she liked having him look.
    “That same night the people of San Saturus—that’s the name of the city we saved—declared me to be their ruler, their rey, as they call it. And their well-being and safety became my primary concern. There is so much potential for growth and expansion there—which is why I need your help.”
    “An English foothold other than Belize in Central and South America could be very beneficial,” Sir Henry said absently, almost to himself. “Are the citizens Spanish? Once their gratitude at being saved from marauders wears thin, they may want to return to Spanish rule.”
    The rey sat forward. “That’s the beauty of Costa Habichuela. The citizens never were Spanish. They are mostly natives, coupled with a great many English and Scots who’ve migrated there from other, Spanish-dominated territories. They are extremely happy to have even more distance between themselves and Spain. And to be honest, with the mountains at our back and an easily defensible bay at our front, we are in a perfect location to ensure a long and stable rule.”
    “How much land did the Mosquito King give you?” Sir Henry asked, practically rubbing his hands together.
    “A million acres. I have a map,” the rey returned. “Orrin? I can show you precisely.”
    As the former sergeant dug into his satchel and produced a large map of Costa Habichuela showing its position on the eastern coast of Central America, Melbourne straightened and moved closer.
    “What happened to the men?” he asked.
    The rey furrowed his brow. “Beg pardon?”
    “You said that you and your men were supposed to rendezvous with the main part of the rebel army. What happened to them, and to the army?”
    “Oh. I sent them on under my second-in-command. I tendered my resignation, as did several of my most loyal men—the ones who’d served with me through the years, like Orrin here. They now make up most of my personal guard and cabinet ministers.”
    “So you have a stable government, a stable population, and a beautiful capital city in an ideal location,” Melbourne said, looking over the map.
    “Precisely.”
    “What do you need a loan for, then?”
    Josefina’s father actually sent her a quick, annoyed glance. Was she supposed to have swayed Melbourne already? She’d only seen him four times, now. And kissed him once. She drew a breath. “Not even Eden could stand still in the midst of progress and hope to survive,” she said. “Costa Habichuela needs to be able to thrive into the future. We must be able to govern effectively, and to protect ourselves. If England is unable to assist us,” she continued for good measure, “we will have to find someone who can. We have no choice in this.”
    “What amount did you have in mind?” Sir Henry asked, running a finger along the generous borders of Costa Habichuela. “A loan to a newly formed country is a risky proposition at best.”
    “Actually,” the rey returned, “this loan won’t be much of a risk at all. I would like the opportunity to secure a permanent friendship between our two countries. I’ve taken the liberty of having several bonds drawn up. That way any loan you made to my government would immediately become an investment opportunity