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Rodrigo smiled at Simon and whispered in Spanish, “Of course, old friend. All is well.”
A moment later, however, Rodrigo eyed Sir Warren with dislike when the man flirted openly with Jessie. He told himself it didn’t matter. He asked himself, why should he care? He stared at the blue and white plaid covered table as he attempted to rein in his emotions. He had been resolved to step away from Jessie, but all at once, that resolve more than faded—it exploded when the Englishman dared to pat Jessie’s ungloved hand!
Rodrigo was moved to take Sir Warren by the throat, and damn if he didn’t do that, hang convention and propriety! Somehow, he kept himself in check.
Beatrice drew her husband’s attention to Rodrigo’s face and whispered, “You must, draw Rodrigo’s fire, si? He seems to wish to run-in this fellow who I cannot like.”
“Si, my love, but you will, I believe, manage him better than I,” he murmured back at her. “Bat your pretty lashes at him and see if he will not stop glaring at the Englishman.”
Beatrice touched Rodrigo’s cheek and forced him to look at her. “So,” she said jovially, “my Simon tells me you go to visit with Pitt tomorrow. It goes well, si?”
Rodrigo glanced at her briefly, but gave her a warm smile. “You know exactly how it goes, my treasure.” He knew she meant to divert him and was slightly amused.
Sir Warren heard the prime minister’s name mentioned and turned with some interest, for his ambitions were political. “What’s this?” He looked sharply at Rodrigo and noticed the glance that passed between the two Spaniards. “Tell me Argentina means to join the fray against Bony?”
Simon gave him a rueful glance. “No, I think not. We have enough to contend with at home.” He inclined his head. “Though, I think, we may yet serve your country—if Pitt is amenable to our ideas.”
“Really?” Sir Warren sounded intrigued. “And how could Argentina possibly serve our needs?”
Jessie watched them during this exchange, and she could see Simon immediately take offense. How impolite of Sir Warren, she thought, to challenge the pride they obviously felt in their country. She was about to say something fresh when Rodrigo said quietly, “A silly notion, is it not, to think our heathen country could possibly exchange favors with your Albion.” He took a basket of sweet buns and smiled as he looked into Jessie’s eyes and offered them to her.
She took one for her plate and gave him a warm smile. She wanted him to know she understood perfectly just what was going on. However, she also had begun to know Rodrigo, and his skilled evasion on the subject told her that he did not wish Simon to discuss their political plans with Sir Warren. She believed he was right in this. Sir Warren was not a trustworthy fellow, and once again, she began to dislike him in earnest.
She did wonder just what the Bolivars and Rodrigo were up to, though. She took a piece of the sweet bun and held it as she engaged Rodrigo’s eyes. “I, for one, do not think it a silly notion for Argentina to apply to England at this time. Suppose, just suppose, Argentina wanted their own government, free from Spain’s oppression and taxation. This would be a very good time to negotiate a deal with England...don’t you think, Rodrigo?”
Bloody hell, the little spitfire had a brain as well as beauty! Damn, but he enjoyed her company. “Perhaps, little love,” he said softly, and almost felt Sir Warren bristle.
“Indeed,” Sir Warren snapped. “England has enough to contend with handling Bony! We don’t need to get involved with Argentina.”
“Ah,” said the spitfire. “Bony quarrels with Spain and Portugal, therefore, Spain cannot easily squash a revolt all the way in South America. Besides, there is every chance Argentina leaders could, if not partnered with England, work against us, and dash the prime minister’s hopes for a Third Coalition,” Jessie offered. She was well-read and very interested in politics, often discussing all these matters with her uncle.
Rodrigo raised his glass to her and gave her a wink and a smile. “My wise little love. An excellent argument.”
Sir Warren appeared irritated. It was more than obvious the Spanish rogue and the woman he wanted for his wife were more friendly than he could like. “So! That is why you are here in London—to enlist our help against Spain?”
“Do you think so? I think our little discussion touched merely on the hypothetical,” Rodrigo said glibly.
“Then why the meeting with Pitt?” Sir Warren demanded rashly.
Rodrigo’s brow went up. “Why...we are friends with the Lady Hester, who has invited us to tea. Only that.”
“Ah,” Beatrice Bolivar said with some relief. “Our luncheon is here. I am famished.”
“As am I,” her husband said.
“Yes, you kept me waiting at that terrible place with all the cattle and the pigs. Awful, and I thought we would never leave and come here.”
Jessie saw at once that Beatrice was trying to change the subject and helped her. “Cattle and pigs?” She gave a giggle. “Why were you there?”
“Ah, this boor of a husband hears that there is a remarkable cow for breeding, si? Well, what must he do but cart me off this morning to have a look at this remarkable cow.”
“But why?” Jessie was astonished.
“Ah, for our Estancia Aguay, our ranch, you see.” She looked to Rodrigo. “You, here, you have lands, and farms, but we have very large ranches...very much land, but we need, how do you say, the diversity of breeding for the bulls.”
“I’ve heard a little about Argentina ranches. Oh, do tell me more,” Jessie said with some excitement.
This went well, for the next hour was pleasantly spent with the two women chattering away and allowing their gentlemen a word only now and then, and thus, a heated argument was avoided.
