A Spanish Inheritance

‘A rural retreat?’

‘A home,’ Ramon corrected softly. ‘You have no idea how envious I am,’ he said, holding her gaze.

Was he serious? ‘I could help you do something similar when you find a suitable property.’

‘Would you do that for me?’

‘I’d be happy to do that for you.’ She had the feeling she was hearing everything and learning nothing about his true intentions, but her enthusiasm spilled over. ‘I really enjoyed working on the interior of the finca… I’d love to have the chance to do something like that again.’

‘I’ve been hoping you would take an active part in the design and development of my hotel complex.’

‘You’re offering me a job?’ she said in surprise.

‘Why not? You won’t be able to practise law here in Menorca. And I imagine that once the finca is fully operational you will soon be looking for fresh challenges.’

His regard for her work on the finca seemed genuine enough, and her mind was stuffed with ideas… But he was only offering her a job, Annalisa reminded herself—hardly a dream proposition. Yet right now it suited her just fine. ‘I’d love to,’ she confirmed briskly. ‘When do I start?’

The sickness began the next day.

‘Señorita Wilson, are you OK?’ Maria Teresa called as she came hurrying across the yard.

When the bucket of feed had fallen from her hands Annalisa had hoped no one had noticed. But now she was slumped against the gate with Maria Teresa’s arm around her waist to hold her up. ‘Fine… I’m fine,’ she said weakly, pulling away only to sway backwards again.

‘Let me get you back to the house,’ Maria Teresa insisted firmly. ‘You need to take more rest or you will weaken the baby.’

‘Baby!’ Annalisa exclaimed, struggling to right herself. ‘What on earth are you talking about, Maria Teresa?’

‘Señorita Wilson…’ The capable housekeeper sighed patiently. ‘I have had thirteen babies. I know.’ She tapped her nose. Then, looking concerned, she added in a conspiratorial whisper, ‘Señor Perez…does he know?’

‘No! And you mustn’t tell him,’ Annalisa insisted.

‘But of course, Señorita Wilson,’ Maria Teresa agreed solemnly. ‘You must do that.’

Ramon had to know. There could be no putting this issue on the backburner. She wouldn’t be able to hide the pregnancy from him for ever, Annalisa reasoned as she drew up outside his house.

The manservant Rodriguez seemed to have anticipated her visit and stood waiting for her beside the open door.

‘Good morning, Rodriguez.’ She couldn’t believe her voice sounded so calm. ‘Is Señor Perez at home?’

‘He is at the office in Mahon, señorita. But I believe he won’t be long, if you would care to wait?’

‘Thank you. I will,’ she said, walking past him into the hall.

‘You can wait in here,’ Rodriguez murmured, showing her into the same room as before—the room with the photographs. ‘I’ll have some coffee brought to you.’

‘No,’ Annalisa called before Rodriguez had a chance to leave. ‘Don’t go.’ She was determined to lay each ghost in turn…permanently.

‘Can I do something else for you?’

Annalisa thought she detected a cool edge to his voice. ‘Yes,’ she said candidly. ‘Why do you always show me into this room, Rodriguez?’

He looked at her blankly. ‘I have no idea what you mean, Señorita Wilson.’

‘Really?’ Annalisa said pleasantly. She walked across to the rosewood desk and picked up the photograph of her mother. ‘I understand old loyalties more than you might suppose, Rodriguez,’ she said, turning around to face him, ‘but you should know that there are no surprises for me here.’ She held the photo frame towards him. ‘Señor Perez has explained everything to me…about my mother,’ she said, using sufficient emphasis to ensure there could be no mistake.

A mixture of emotions flashed across the manservant’s face, but almost immediately he resumed his customary professional mask. ‘Shall I bring the coffee now, señorita?’

‘Thank you, Rodriguez.’

As Annalisa returned the frame carefully to its place their eyes met briefly in a glance of mutual understanding, and then with a low bow Rodriguez left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Annalisa sighed with relief as his footsteps disappeared. Whether the remaining ghosts agreed to be laid so easily remained to be seen. But for now the past could wait. She had the future on her mind and that had to come first.