The Forbidden Promise

by Helena Rose

  Lucas turned his attention away from the memories. I mustn’t obsess about the past, I have to think about the present and my future.

  But it was difficult to forget the years of poverty and misery. The hardships and hunger, sleeping in a shack near the beach, studying under Father Julian’s tuition, who had been stern but kind. And then working to earn a few pesos and helping poor Amparo, already elderly who could not do enough for him. Your father loved you, son, you mustn’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise. But, it was hard to believe the affection of a man who after having pampered and protected you, then leaves you with nothing, casting you out of your own house, while your brother enjoys the comforts and luxuries of being a Navarra y Reyes. However, Lucas needed to believe that his father loved him and that he could not but have recognized him as his son. Then, in the evening, he would ask poor Amparo, tired and weary from work, to tell him about his father, what he used to say, what he was like, so that the memories would remain vivid in his mind. Amparo had often told him about one of the last occasions when his father had spoken to her in confidence. It was the day when he had entrusted her with the task of sending a letter to Spain. He told me that I had to send the letter and that, like everyone else, I would soon know the truth. I’m illiterate, but I’m certain that the letter would have put things in place. But your father, may he rest in peace, didn’t do it in time and died before being able to reveal what he knew.

  At night, while he was listening to the wind whistling over the sea, Lucas would dream of the moment when a mysterious communication would fix things and would give him back the key to happiness. But that day had never come.

  After years of extreme poverty, something however had changed. At the age of eighteen, Lucas had inherited a small but significant amount of money. It was a small trust fund that was a legacy from his mother, Doña Lucrecia that he had very few memories of.

  Poor Amparo had been so happy for him and, thanks to the money, she had enjoyed a few years of peace before passing away.

  In fact, Lucas had been able to buy the modest house in Tampico and had invested money in a small shipping company.

  It had not been easy to get the legacy, he had been young and inexperienced and Father Julian had had a lot of trouble obtaining the inheritance for him. The Tampico banker, Don Guadalupe, had obstructed the process with a lot of bureaucracy, but after appropriate threats from Father Julian, he had eventually given way.

  Don Guadalupe was a slimy man, who always had a huge handkerchief in his hand that he used to wipe his sweaty forehead. He looked furtively at everyone and everything, with the expression of a trapped rat, as if he was constantly afraid of something. Lucas suspected it was because of Doña Raquel. Moreover, the Navarra y Reyes were the most important customers of the town’s bank. Lucas smiled. The Navarra y Reyes. I don’t even consider myself part of the family anymore. Amparo would have been very angry if she had known. Remember, you are a Navarra. When you have doubts, look in the mirror: you're the spitting image of your father. She was not the only one to endorse this, Father Julian had also recognized the resemblance. In fact, Lucas had the same thick and wavy black hair that he now wore rather long to his shoulders, and his father’s same shrewd green eyes.

  There was a knock at the door.

  Lucas got up and went to open it. It was Santos Robles, one of his best friends. Santos had also been born on the Navarra hacienda: Santos’ father had been one of his own father’s trusted workers who, after Don Eduardo’s death, had left the hacienda, moving with his family to work as a carpenter in Tampico. Santos had followed in his father’s footsteps and was now working as a carpenter in Tampico’s shipyard.

  "I'm sorry Lucas, you're still having breakfast," said Santos, stroking his dark mustache.

  " Don’t worry, I’ve finished," replied Lucas.

  " Just leave everything in the kitchen," said Santos, "my sister Yolanda told me that she’ll come and tidy the house later.”

  Lucas smiled.

  " Your sister is too good."

  " Oh, don’t worry. You know that since she was young she has always had a soft spot for you."

  " But she is only a child."

  " My dear Lucas, she is almost a woman, not a child."

  "Enough with this, let’s go to the boatyard, I want to see the new cargo ship that is being built. "

  " You'll love it, it’s just perfect for what you need, it has a spacious cargo hold and is as agile as a dolphin."

  " I can’t wait to see this ship if it is as you describe it. "

  Aurora Vargas de Coronado realized that she had dozed off only when the clanging of the train announced its arrival in Tampico. A feeling of joy mixed with melancholy had pervaded her all the way from Mexico City towards her home as after much hard work, she had finally qualified as a doctor.

  As a young girl she had watched her father, the town’s doctor, practicing his profession, fascinated by his ability to bring relief to his patients’ suffering. Aurora’s desire to do the same had led her to study in secret, the basics of medicine from her father’s medical books. Aurora thought back to the day when she had been discovered by her mother: "How could you? A young lady for her own good should not waste time with men’s things. At your age, you should know how to embroider and cook, and think about the day when you will look after your own children and your husband." She had scolded.

  "No! I want to be a doctor and help Tampico’s needy and desperate people, there are so many of them. I'm not interested in finding a husband who would put me on display at dances like a porcelain figurine." She had replied hotly to her mother.

  As always when she was contradicted, Aurora's mother, Doña Viviana Vargas de Coronado’s lips tightened. "You don’t know what you're saying, you're just a fool. These illusions will only make you suffer more, you must be realistic. We live in a world where women must rely on a man to live, and the brighter your choice, the happier your future will be."

  Her mother’s bitter tone and the sadness that shone from her warm hazel eyes were imprinted in Aurora’s mind.

  Aurora's father, Don Costantino Vargas de Coronado, was rather proud to discover his daughter’s passion, and urged her to continue her studies. He began to take her with him during visits to his patients and made her assist in many operations. It was he who, one day, his eyes shining with emotion, revealed to her that she had been accepted at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Mexico City.

  "Dear, I have a surprise for you: a few months ago, I contacted a professor whom I studied with in Mexico City and I told him of your desire to become a doctor. He wants to meet you and he’ll allow you to attend his lectures. If you prove you can rise to the occasion, you’ll be able to become a doctor. It will be tough, but I know that you’ll make it, my dear."

  Her mother had opposed the idea in every possible way, even making her promise that she would never practice the profession and that she would marry as soon as she returned home.

  Aurora had agreed to her mother’s demands, she would have promised to do anything to be able to realize her dream. And then, she thought, I'll find a way to help the sick, and I’ll marry only if my husband lets me do what I want!

  Aurora felt fortunate because she would soon fulfill the promise that she had made with her mother. In Mexico City, she had met a young man as handsome as he was polite, Federico Navarra y Reyes.

  Federico’s blue eyes enchanted Aurora at first glance:

  "Miss Aurora, can I have the honor of this dance?" he had asked her. Aurora had consented in a faint voice and her face on fire; she was not used to dance parties or her friends’ gossip, as she had always preferred her beloved books. The waltz with this handsome young man, however, had made her head spin. Was it the fault of the whirling dance or his bewitching smile?

  "I'm really enchanted, your cousin Dolores has kept you hidden for too long, I should reprimand her for this.”

  Aurora explained to Federico why she so rarely took part in th
e city’s social life. The two of them chatted amiably all evening, Aurora spoke of her studies, while Federico explained that he was in Mexico City on business relating to his family’s hacienda.

  " And so you live in Tampico?" asked Federico.

  " Yes, my father is the town’s doctor, and I take it you live on your estate. It’s a wonderful place; some time ago I accompanied my father on a visit to your mother, she had a terrible migraine, if I remember correctly."

  Federico smiled.

  " Yes, since she became a widow, my mother sometimes suffers from migraines," he replied mockingly.

  Chatting away, they decided to leave the ballroom and went into the garden. Federico smiled amiably, looking at her with his clear eyes. Aurora felt excited, why had she never felt like this before. Federico went over to a hedge of roses and plucked a flower, being careful not to prick himself.

  " This is for you, Miss Aurora," he said in an alluring tone. “In the light of the moon this flower reminds me of your cheeks’ rosy complexion.”

  Aurora took the flower, smiling.

  " You are very gallant, Don Federico," she replied.

  Federico moved closer to her, staring at her intently. Aurora felt dizzy. I may be wrong but I think he is going to kiss me? How should I react? She certainly was not one of those young girls totally absorbed with embroidery at home, and Marian Litanies in church. She had studied, she was educated, she knew how to behave, but she had never experienced such an encounter before. What should she do? Her mother, in this respect, had been pretty severe. She decided to draw back, holding the flower to her nose to smell the fragrance.

  " It smells sweet," she whispered innocently, looking at him askance from above the petals.

  Federico seemed to realize Aurora’s reluctance and bent to kiss her hand.

  Aurora turned her attention from the memories of that night. She had seen Federico again on a few occasions, but he had returned to the Navarra hacienda just outside Tampico a few days after the night of the dance. Federico had promised to meet her again when she too, fresh from graduation, would be back in her hometown. “As soon as you come back to Tampico, I'll come to your parents and ask permission to visit you.“ He had promised the last time they had seen each other. Aurora had just smiled, embarrassed and confused by her feelings.

  I’m a stupid dreamy girl ... my studies and my education haven’t made me immune to infatuations. Dolores was right.

  The train, puffing, slowed and came to halt at Tampico’s small station. Aurora stood up and smoothed her sage green traveling dress that she had bought in Mexico City. She picked up her luggage and got ready to get down from the carriage.

  Through the window, she caught a glimpse of her mother who was already waiting on the platform, accompanied by Carmen, the maid.

  Doña Viviana Vargas de Coronado was standing waiting, her long hair, the same color of bronze as Aurora’s, was fashioned in gentle waves, she wore a long white embroidered dress and a hat perched elegantly on her head. Aurora’s father had told Aurora that as a girl, Viviana had been one of the finest young women in Tampico and much courted. And Aurora did not doubt this.

  Opening the doors, Aurora got off the train and ran to hug her mother. Viviana hugged her close, happy to see her daughter again after so long.

  "Welcome back, my dear," she said with tears in her eyes.

  "I too am glad to see you again, mother."

  Viviana smiled and walked towards the station’s exit.

  " Carmen, bring Aurora’s luggage," she ordered.

  Carmen promptly obeyed.

  " You'll have to tell me everything," said Viviana. “How is dear cousin Dolores? She was very kind to have put you up during your studies."

  Slowly the three women headed for home. The road to the Vargas de Coronado’s residence passed through the main square, where the local market was being held. Aurora savored the colors, sounds and smells of Tampico that she had missed in Mexico City: the calls of the fruit vendors, the chatter of the local women with eye-catching clothes and the noisy conduct of the street urchins who ran between the stalls. She looked up and admired the facade of the cathedral, the pale pink stones, the twin bell towers that rose into the sky.

  Distracted, Aurora did not notice the two men who had crossed her path and ended up falling into the arms of the tallest.

  Frightened, she looked up into an incredibly handsome manly face, two bright green eyes focused on her, a wry smile hovered on his lips and a deep voice declared, "Miss, you should be more careful when you walk or risk having more bad encounters."

  The man's arms were around her waist, holding her gently. Aurora jerked herself free and stuttered a flustered protest.

  Doña Viviana , who in the meantime had been looking at a stall of fabrics and remnants, noticed that Aurora was not at her side, turned and saw her in the arms of a stranger, tall, tanned, with unruly black hair that came down to his shoulders.

  She hastened to join them.

  " How dare you take these liberties with my daughter," she demanded severely.

  "It's my fault, mother," muttered Aurora, intimidated, "I was distracted and bumped into this gentleman," pronouncing the last word ironically, as she glanced at the stranger’s smiling face.

  The man, visibly upset by Aurora’s tone of voice, stiffened, gave a hint of a bow and bid farewell to the two ladies, before walking away with his companion.

  " Hey, Lucas, you have all the luck as usual, you just happened to bump into that beautiful girl!“ Said Santos looking at his friend.

  Lucas gave him a withering look.

  " Beautiful but as haughty as the mother, I would say." Replied Lucas irritated. “Let’s talk about more serious things instead. How much are they asking for the ship being built?"

  "You know the mother, don’t you?" Asked Santos, ignoring Lucas’ attempt to change the subject.

  Lucas shook his head.

  " She’s the doctor's wife, Doña Viviana Vargas de Coronado. A real beauty. The daughter has no doubt inherited all her mother’s charm."

  Lucas did not answer. He was reflecting on the young woman, the long brown hair that framed her haughty face, the warm hazel eyes, the full lips parted in surprise, the slender waist ...

  Soon they came to the harbor, where the shipyard was. The owner, a plump man with a thick dark mustache, was talking to a tall, wiry man.

  " Hello, Santos. Don Lucas," greeted the owner. "I’ll be right with you."

  The other man greeted them shyly and walked away.

  The owner of the yard was smiling and shaking his head.

  " Poor fellow, that man is full of debt and can’t pay it off," he explained shaking his head again.

  " A bad situation," Lucas said. "Poverty is really terrible to deal with."

  "Especially for those who are not accustomed to it." Grinned the owner. "He lost everything in a game of chance, and now he only has a neglected hacienda in Zacatecas, with an abandoned mine, and no money to maintain it and make it profitable. He is looking for someone to buy it, so that he can pay off his creditors and then disappear into the United States."

  " A hacienda in Zacatecas? “Lucas asked. The pretty, inland town was famous as an area rich in silver. At the time of the colonies, it had been one of the main cities in Mexico.

  Interested, he asked for further details.

  Santos looked at him in amazement even though he knew that Lucas had an extraordinary shrewdness for business.

  The three stood talking for some time, and then Lucas devoted himself to inspecting the ship under construction. Lucas promised to recommend it to other members of the transportation company.

  Leaving Santos to work at the shipyard, Lucas returned home.

  Yolanda was there just finishing the cleaning. She smiled, glad to see him.

  " Hello Lucas!“ She greeted him joyful.

  Yolanda was a beautiful girl with curly hair and dark impertinent eyes.

  " Hello, thank you for tidying the
house, everything was in a real mess and without your help, I wouldn’t even be able to find the table."

  "I know, if I don’t take care of you who would do so?” Yolanda asked, wrinkling her nose, “Certainly not that little madam I’ve seen you with for a while."

  "Marisol is not a little madam. However I think you're jealous,” Lucas replied laughing. “A jealous child."

  Yolanda stuck her tongue out at him and turned away offended.

  "I'm not a child. I'm a woman now, but you don’t realize."

  Lucas suddenly noticed an envelope on the table.” What’s this?" He asked.

  " Your little madam’s maid brought it here a little while ago," said Yolanda shrugging her shoulders. "I'm leaving. I’ve finished."

  Lucas eagerly opened the envelope and read the short message.

  My dear Lucas, meet me at the shack on the beach this evening.

  I'll be waiting for you with anticipation.

  Yours Marisol.

  Lucas smiled happily, the day was getting better and better. The ship under construction, the interesting news about the hacienda in Zacatecas and now the prospect of a pleasant evening in good company.

  He lay down on his bed with his hands behind his head and recalled Marisol’s blue eyes, her slender body that at the same time was endowed with generous curves that he had so often hugged to his chest. Suddenly this vivid memory was superimposed on a different face, haughty, hazel eyes, flowing brown hair, full lips waiting for a kiss and a body wrapped in a sage colored dress that overflowed with femininity.

  Chapter 2

  Lucas got up from the bed, the scene of a romantic encounter with Marisol and began to dress.

  "You know, I met your cousin today," he said sardonically.

  Marisol, curious, propped herself up on one elbow.

  " My cousin?" She queried.

  " The daughter of Doña Viviana Vargas and Don Costantino de Coronado, isn’t she your cousin?"