Louisiana 08 - While Passion Sleeps

by Shirlee Busbee

  Meeting Beth's angry gaze, he murmured, "Very well, we understand each other. And as you appear to be a forthright young woman, I shall waste little time in polite words." He waved an arm in the direction of the couch. ''Would you care to sit down while we discuss the situation?"

  "No," Beth bit out, her eyes flashing and a becoming spot of angry color burning in each cheek.

  "So. Then if you don't mind, I shall do so," he replied calmly, and proceeded to sit down. His eyes traveled over her once again, appreciating the high, full bosom and slender hips hinted at under the full skirts of her gown. Taking a sip of his sherry, he began easily, "What we have here is a very simple situation. You are a young and very beautiful widow of wealth and breeding. I have a handsome and virile grandson whom I would like very much to see married and fathering children... particularly male children. It is very simple, sil You marry my grandson and your widowhood is at an end— no longer are you alone without a man to guide and protect you. And I am happy because at last my only male heir is married and will, in due time, present me with great-grandsons."

  Beth was torn between an outrageous urge to laugh at his cool effrontery and a burst of fury. How dare he think to arrange her life this way!

  Hands on her hips, the captivating face vibrant with barely controlled anger, Beth snapped, "I have no desire

  to enter into such a cold-blooded arrangement. My first marriage was arranged for me, and if I ever remarry, it will be for love —definitely not for expediency's sake!"

  Don Felipe shrugged. "How very noble... but childish. After you have given me a great-grandson, it would make little difference if you had lovers. Surely marriage with my grandson cannot be that distasteful to you. After all, you have spent many weeks in his household and have not found his company too burdensome."

  "Why me?" Beth asked in a hard little voice. "If it is so important for Rafael to marry, why not present him with a suitable bride of your choice?"

  Negligently setting aside his glass, Don Felipe pulled at his lip. "I had contemplated such a scheme," he admitted surprisingly. "But wealthy young brides are not that easily found, and his reputation with women is such that doting fathers are somewhat reluctant to give their daughters in marriage to a man with his past. Besides, it is true that I could force him into a marriage again, but if he did not desire the woman, it would do me little good. You understand me? Without a consummated marriage I would gain no heirs for Cielo, and from what my son has told me, Rafael does apparently have some feeling for you, sil"

  Beth choked back a hysterical giggle, wondering what this arrogant old man would do if he knew that even now she carried Rafael's child. Chilled by his words, but curious too, she asked helplessly, "Even if I agreed to such a cold-blooded arrangement, tell me, what could you possibly do to make Rafael agree?"

  Don Felipe smiled and Beth shivered. Rising from his seat he walked over to a velvet bellrope and gave it one sharp pull. Almost instantly, as if the servant had been waiting outside the door, there was a knock and Don Felipe called, ''Entre"

  To the servant who appeared in the doorway he said, "Bring the Senorita Arabela to us."

  Alone again, he looked at Beth and remarked, "Arabela is the baby of the family. I had taken her to Mexico City with me, but she proved most troublesome, so when I received Miguel's letter I brought her back with me." Picking up his glass again, he took another sip and

  continued, "You will find her quite a delightful child, and by some strange chemistry, of all his half sisters, she is the only one that Rafael has ever shown any affection for. But wait until you see her, you will see what I mean."

  Beth did. Not five minutes later, the door burst open and a young girl of not more than fifteen danced into the room. Arabela was indeed delightful, if a shock. Used to the darkness so common amongst the Mexicans and Spaniards, Beth was astonished by the flaming red of Arabela's hair and the brilliance of the sapphire-blue eyes.

  Don Felipe noticed Beth's*ifexpression and said lightly, "A red-haired Spaniard is unusual but not unheard of."

  Arabela paid no attention to her grandfather, and instead ran up with fleet graceful steps to Beth. "Oh, how lovely you are! Madre said you were, but I didn't believe her," she exclaimed with open candor, the blue eyes bright with warmth and laughter as they twinkled merrily up at Beth. Dressed in a simple gown of white muslin with small puffed sleeves and a gaily embroidered hem, Arabela herself was very enchanting.

  At fifteen there were already the signs of the strikingly beautiful woman she would be one day. The fiery hair was arranged in two demure little clusters near each ear with a few rebellious curls escaping at her temples; her lashes and brows were dark and the sapphire-blue eyes had an enchanting tilt at the corners; her mouth was full and sweetly curved, almost as if Arabela were always smiling. She was small for her age, but already her little breasts and slender waist were apparent.

  Unable to help herself, Beth found that she was responding immediately to Arabela's gay charm. "Why, thank you," she replied and added gently, "You are very pretty too."

  Arabela gave an infectious gurgle of laughter. "Now I know I shall like you!" Impetuously, for Arabela was impetuous, she caught Beth by surprise and hugged her. "I am so glad that Rafael is going to marry you! Consuela was a witch, and I did not like her at all! She was wicked to him, but you would be kind to hiip."

  Beth stiffened and Arabela looked at her with puzzlement. Before she could say more, though, Don Felipe scolded icily, "Your manners are deplorable, Arabela! Surely your mother taught you better!"

  Some of the gaiety and light died out of the little animated face, and, turning to her grandfather, she gave a stilted curtsy and in a colorless voice murmured, "Forgive me. Grandfather. I forgot myself." It was an astonishing change from the vital creature of a second ago, but Beth was pleased to note the imp of defiance that peeked from the blue eyes as Arabela cast her a sideways glance. So Arabela was not quite in awe of her grandfather like everyone else.

  In the same colorless little voice Arabela asked, "Was there something you wanted. Grandfather?"

  "I merely wished Senora Beth to meet you, and now that she has, you may leave. And possibly learn some manners before I see you the next time."

  Don Felipe turned away, and only Beth saw the quick, impudent tongue that Arabela stuck out and the encouraging wink she gave before she skipped out of the room.

  Her own voice devoid of any emotion, Beth said, "A charming child. But what does she have to do with our conversation?"

  Don Felipe walked over to the sideboard and poured himself another glass of sherry. "Everything, cara^ everything." His glass refilled, he walked toward Beth. Taking a sip of the sherry, he smiled and murmured, "You see, Arabela is the one vulnerable spot in Rafael's armor. He would do just about anything to see her happy. It is really very simple, as I told you earlier. Either Rafael marries you, or I shall see to it that Arabela is married off to the oldest, ugliest old rakehell that I can find." The black eyes full of malicious satisfaction, he asked, "Do you think he would allow that—especially when all he has to do to save her is marry a woman he already finds attractive?"

  Beth blanched and felt her throat go tight. No, Rafael wouldn't allow that. No one would. Arabela was too bright, too gay to deserve such a fate. Swallowing w4th

  difficulty, she said, 'Tou're foul!—a black, ugly beast with no heart!"

  Don Felipe shrugged carelessly. "Perhaps. Names matter little to me. It is winning that matters. And I think, at last, I have won."

  Through stiff lips, Beth snapped, "Not quite! You may be able to coerce your grandson, but tell me, how do you intend to insure that I agree to marry him?"

  "Oh, that! Piffle! I don't have to do a thing," he replied smugly. "Rafael will do it, you see. Do you think he would let your refusal stand in his way if it meant Arabela's marriage to a doddering old roue?" Don Felipe laughed. **

  Sickened, Beth didn't even remember walking back to her room. Everything Don Felipe s
aid was true, and her heart felt heavy in her breast. Rafael could be as ruthless as his grandfather, of that she was certain, and if Don Felipe gave him the choice of marriage to herself or seeing Arabela married off to a disgusting old man, Beth knew what his choice would be. And me, what about me? her heart cried. Could I bear being married to him knowing that he had been compelled to say his vows?

  Somehow she got through the evening that followed, smiling politely and giving the correct responses to any conversation that was directed her way. And, watching Arabela's lively countenance and hearing her gay, tinkling laughter, her spirits sank even lower. Could she allow that enchanting little creature to be married off so cruelly? More importantly, how was Rafael going to react to this state of affairs?

  Rafael was furious! Arriving home, eager to see Beth after a long, busy day away from her, with growing rage he listened in tight-lipped silence to Paco's understandably nervous recital of the facts. Even the news that a servant had been sent to find him, but always seemed to be one step behind where Rafael had been, did nothing to lighten the darkening fury on Rafael's face.

  "I see," he said at last in a frightening, quiet voice. "And Senora Lopez, she has gone too? And the maid, Manuela?"

  ''Si. No" Paco muttered uneasily, not liking the set of his master's jaw nor the expression in the gray eyes. "Sefiora Lopez left in the coach your grandfather sent, but the woman Manuela is still here. She had not finished packing Senora Beth's things, and it was decided that she would ride out with you in the morning."

  Manuela's not being ready to leave when the coach arrived had been deliberate. She had moved with irritating slowness in the packing of Beth's clothing, and finally in exasperation Senora Lopez had suggested that Manuela accompany Rafael in the morning, as there was no doubt in anyone's m_ind that he would be riding fast and furiously to the hacienda where Beth was. Smiling to herself, Manuela agreed. Knowing Senor Rafael, somehow she didn't think that Senora Beth would remain long under his grandfather's roof.

  Rafael took the stairs two at a time and a moment later burst into the room Beth had occupied, startling Manuela who was halfheartedly pretending she was still packing Beth's remaining clothes. Rafael took one look at the trunk and snarled, 'Tut those things back! Senora Beth will be returning."

  A small smile curving her lips, Manuela watched him slam from the room and almost happily she began unpacking the clothes. Unless she was very much mistaken, Senora Beth would sleep tomorrow night in this bed... and possibly not alone either!

  Leaving the room, Rafael was halfway down the stairs when Paco answered a knock on the front door and opened it to admit a travel-stained Sebastian. Rafael stopped his rapid descent and demanded ungraciously, ''What the hell brings you here?"

  Sebastian grimaced and retorted sharply, "Certainly not your charming company!" But then, aware that now was not the time to start an argument with his cousin, he added in a more normal tone, "I just learned yesterday morning that your grandfather had been at Cielo, and I rode in as fast as I could to warn you that he will probably be paying you a call—soon."

  Rafael pulled a face and came slowly down the remainder of the stairs. "I thank you for the news and I'm sorry that I snapped at you. Unfortunately, for all

  your haste you are several hours too late—he was here this morning and took Beth with him." His lips quirking sarcastically, he finished, "Apparently he didn't feel Senora Lopez was an adequate chaperon.'!

  Despite the gravity of the situation, Sebastian grinned and asked, ''Was she?"

  Rafael's lips twitched and, remembering the night of the harlot's gown, he said softly, "No, indeed not!" But then, frov^ning, he said, "I was just on my way out to the hacienda where the family is staying. I must see Beth alone before my grandfather has had a chance to fill her head with preposterous ideas."

  "Well, what are we waifing for?" Sebastian demanded with a quick smile.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  It took only a few minutes to saddle Diablo and procure a fresh horse for Sebastian. In silence the two men rode out into the night, Rafael too busy with his own thoughts to make conversation, and Sebastian, after the hard two-day ride into San Antonio, simply too tired.

  Rafael had sensed that Beth was no longer in the house the instant he had stepped into the main hallway. There had been a sudden feeling of loss, an emptiness that had assailed him, and he had known that something was terribly wrong even before Paco had begun his nervous explanation.

  To know that she was gone, to know that through his own indecision he may have lost her, terrified and enraged him. He knew his grandfather too well, knew the man's ruthless, heavy-handed way of gaining his own ends, and Rafael very much feared that when he did finally see Beth she would no longer be the sweet, yielding creature of these past weeks. No, once his grandfather started arranging things, Beth was far more likely to greet him with anger and hostility than with open arms and honeyed kisses. It would take him months to undo the damage, months he didn't want to waste.

  It didn't take much intelligence on Rafael's part to guess what had been his grandfather's motive, or to guess how Don Felipe had learned of Beth in the first place. Almost as if he had been an unseen observer, he guessed what his grandfather was up to and the coldblooded, arrogant way he would go about it. What he didn't know was what threat his grandfather would use against Beth or precisely how he hoped to bring about the marriage. He did know for certain that Beth would be furious, and he couldn't say that he blamed her.

  Rafael broke the silence when he and Sebastian were about a half a mile from their destination. The lights of the hacienda could be seen clearly. Pulling up his horse, Rafael said, "Fm not going in with you. I want you to arrive just as if youVe come to join the family. You will, of course, inform my grandfather that you have spoken to me, and that I have more or less told you and him to go to the devil."

  Sebastian looked surprised, as well he might. "If you're not going in with me, what are you going to be doing?"

  Rafael smiled, his teeth flashing in the darkness. "Seeing Beth, what else?"

  "How?" Sebastian asked resignedly.

  "Under the cover of your arrival, Fll slip into the hacienda. It shouldn't take me long to find which of the rooms Beth has been put in." Leaning forward in the saddle, he added, "If by chance she is still with the others, find a way to let her know I'll be waiting in her room."

  Sebastian made a face. "You make it sound so easy! As if Don Felipe won't be the least bit suspicious."

  "Probably he will be. But while he will suspect your motives, he won't guess what Fm up to, and that's all that matters." Earnestly, Rafael continued, "Sebastian, I have to see Beth alone." He added grimly, "And before I have any conversation with my grandfather!"

  "Very well. Do I see you again tonight?"

  "Yes, I think we had better meet before I return to San Antonio. It's late enough now, so your request to retire for the night shouldn't be a surprise. A half an hour after you've been shown to your room, go to the stables. I'll meet you there."

  Beth was indeed still with the others. She greeted Sebastian courteously, but coolly, for she still hadn't forgotten how they had last parted. But finally his odd grimaces, raised eyebrows, rolling eyes, and weird twitches whenever no one was looking at them convinced Beth that he was trying to tell her something, and, with a heart pounding like a war drum in her breast, she managed for them to be alone for a moment.

  Out of the corner of his mouth Sebastian muttered hastily, "Go to your room—Rafael is there!"

  Hoping her face didn't betray her, she smiled charmingly at Sebastian. A few minutes later she excused herself for the night. The blood singing in her veins, she hurried to her room.

  She had barely shut the door when Rafael's dark shape emerged from the shadows, and a moment later she was locked in his arms. They kissed hungrily, joyously, each one for the moment content merely to have the other near. But then sanity prevailed and they slowly separated.

  "Are you u
nharmed?" Rafael asked harshly, suddenly intent upon destroying the hacienda and everyone in it if one hair on her head had been touched.

  Beth shook her head. "Yes. A little frightened at first, perhaps, and very angry!"

  There was a tap on the door and with wide, scared eyes Beth motioned Rafael away from her. Running to the door, she opened it and nearly sagged with relief when she discovered the Mexican woman who had been acting as her maid standing there. The woman had come to help Beth undress, but somewhat hurriedly Beth told her that there was no need, and she could retire for the night.

  Alone again, Beth was inexplicably shy and Rafael strangely wary. It was almost as if they knew that the time for subterfuge was past and what was in their hearts had to be spoken. Uncertainly Rafael eyed Beth in the dimness of the room, the only light coming from the oil lamp near Beth's bed. Now that Rafael was with Beth he found himself oddly tongue-tied and ill at ease.

  For all his success with women, there had never been one that mattered to him, nor had he ever told a woman he loved her. Seduction and soft words had never been his way, he had always simply reached out and taken, but with Beth he was uncertain and hesitant.

  For Beth, watching him as she leaned back against the door, tonight was the culmination of every meeting, every exchange they had ever had. Every minute they had ever shared had been suddenly telescoped to this moment. Looking at him as he stood in the center of

  the room, legs slightly apart, his thumbs hooked in the wide leather belt around his lean waist, she thought her heart would burst with love for him. He was so dear, so loved, and yet, if Don Felipe had his way, an uncrossable chasm yawned at their feet. And the memory of that meeting with Don Felipe this afternoon prompted her to ask huskily, "Have you talked with your grandfather?"