The Forbidden Promise

by Helena Rose

  Here's the real reason for your visit Aurora thought, but she could do nothing other than agree.

  The two cousins went up the stairs together and entered Aurora’s room.

  “Let’s talk about serious things, Aurora." Marisol began firmly. "Have you revealed to anyone about what happened last night?"

  "Of course not. Whom would I tell?"

  Marisol sighed with obvious relief.

  "Please, I beg you to keep it a secret. Don’t mention it to your parents," she said in a softer voice. "If my parents ever heard about what you saw, I would be finished!”

  “But how could you do such a thing? To get involved in a torrid affair with that man!"

  Asked Aurora as Marisol sat down on Aurora’s bed.

  “I was bored. And Lucas is so fascinating." She explained.

  “So he didn’t, force you, seduced you?" Inquired Aurora.

  "Of course not! I’m free to make my own choices, my dear cousin, as you are yours."

  “Will you marry him?" Aurora asked her directly.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Lucas may be a Navarra y Reyes, but he’s been disinherited. He has barely enough to live decently, my father would never agree to our wedding!"

  Aurora sat down on the bed beside Marisol.

  "I don’t understand," she said, shaking her head. "What sense does all this have? Endangering your name, your integrity, the possibility of marriage."

  "You're right, Aurora, I was reckless, I don’t deny it. But I love Lucas so much! He has a terrible character I admit, but he’s so passionate and sweet when he wants to be."

  "Please, Marisol, spare me the details."

  "I know you think me shameless, but I swear that nothing was premeditated. I met him while I was walking on the beach, and day after day, the attraction was too strong. He knows as well as I do that our relationship has no future and it never has had." Marisol sighed loudly. "And probably now that you have discovered us, the end has come. I'm just sorry we left each other so brutally."

  Aurora did not answer, and was torn whether to ask about Federico or not. In the end she stopped dithering and asked,

  "And Federico Navarra y Reyes?"

  "He’s been courting me for some time. My parents think well of our union, he inherited all the estate. He’s definitely a good match for the Countess Marisol Vargas de Coronado Rivera." Replied Marisol

  Aurora felt faint, but tried not to show her pain.

  "I think that he’ll soon ask my parents for my hand in marriage," continued Marisol. “So my relationship with Lucas was destined to come to an end very soon."

  “Do you think it right to deceive your future husband?" asked Aurora

  "You’re naive! A man of his age will also have had his moments of amusement. The important thing is that after marriage there is absolute loyalty."

  Marisol got up off the bed, smoothing her luxurious skirt.

  " So we agree cousin," she said. “You’ll keep my secret, and I'll stop seeing Lucas. So your innocent consciousness won’t have the occasion to be disturbed again."

  "You’ll say good bye to him today?" Asked Aurora.

  "No, today Lucas is out of town. He's gone to Zacatecas to visit a hacienda that he wants to buy. Anyway, after the way he treated me last night, I prefer to leave it and never see him again."

  Aurora nodded.

  "He was quite insolent."

  " What happened when I left?" Marisol asked curiously.

  " Nothing. I left soon afterwards," said Aurora trying to hide her embarrassment.

  "Good. I’d have been unhappy if he had been rude to you too "

  "Don’t worry."

  " Now I have to go. My mother is waiting for me."

  Aurora accompanied her cousin to the door. Marisol said goodbye to her uncle and aunt and left, leaving Aurora thoughtful and confused. She went back up to her room and opened the book in which she had slipped the letter that Federico had sent her a few days before. I won’t be fooled by any man again! Never again! She tore up the letter violently and threw it into the waste basket. Then she hurried out to return to the convent, escorted by a maid.

  The afternoon passed fairly quietly, with no particularly complex cases.

  Aurora threw herself headlong into work to avoid thinking of Federico and the way he had treated her. And above all the shame she felt for having revealed to Lucas how she had been fooled with such naivety.

  Mother Agostina must have noticed something different in Aurora’s expression, because she kept asking her if she was all right.

  Just before sunset, Aurora returned home, accompanied by a novice. She avoided going to see the sea so as not to further annoy her parents.

  Viviana and Costantino, however, were not at home. Carmen informed her that they had gone to pay a visit to Don Luis Antonio Braganza.

  What a nuisance, if I had known I wouldn’t have been so hasty. She decided to go out again, alone. Instead of heading to the beach, she walked to the town square, with the soaring pink stoned cathedral that dominated the other buildings. She regretted the decision bitterly when she saw Federico sitting outside at a cafe intent on drinking some wine.

  She tried to change direction, but Federico had seen her and got up to come and meet her.

  "Aurora, my love," he said in a honeyed voice that betrayed his rather tipsy condition.

  Aurora did not answer.

  " You’re as beautiful as the first time I saw you in Mexico City," he said.

  " And you’re a liar, just like back then," replied Aurora shaking with rage.

  " But why do you say that?" Federico asked, surprised by Aurora’s reaction.

  " Do me a favor, don’t say anything, I'm tired of your lies! "

  "I've never lied to you, I swear Aurora, who told you this? Someone has poisoned you against me! I don’t know who it was, but ... "

  "No one has poisoned me, in fact I'm finally free from the poison that your lies instilled in me."

  Federico, staggering slightly, grabbed her by the shoulders.

  " Tell me what you mean!"

  " I’m referring to Marisol, my cousin! And let me go! You're hurting me." Demanded Aurora.

  Federico let her go and looked at her dazed.

  "Marisol? Why are you talking about her now?" He asked

  " You were enjoying yourself, fooling both of us? Courting me, her and who knows who else at the same time?"

  "But, Aurora, I swear to you that it's all a misunderstanding ... "He ventured to say, but Aurora gave him a withering look.

  "At least have the courage to tell the truth now that you have been exposed."

  Federico ran a hand through his hair.

  "It's true, I was courting your cousin, but just give me the word and I'll be completely and devotedly yours! Let's get married! "

  Aurora looked at him dumbfounded.

  "Stay away from me: I don’t care what you do with my cousin, but I never want to see you again! Is that clear?"

  Federico did not dare argue, while Aurora walked away without saying goodbye.

  The meeting with Federico had ruined her walk, so she decided to return quickly home, followed a few steps behind by the maid that had accompanied her.

  Viviana and Costantino returned shortly after. Viviana had a strangely satisfied look and at the table was more expansive than usual. Aurora chose not to ask her anything and quickly retired to her room. A doubt was tormenting her, should she put aside her shame and tell Marisol the truth about Federico?

  Aurora then thought that all things considered, her cousin seemed to know exactly what she was doing and was not as naive as she herself was.

  I won’t say anything; I don’t want to be humiliated further! Marisol knows very well how to take care of herself!

  Federico, irritated by the meeting with Aurora, mounted his horse and headed towards Alma’s house. He definitely needed to let off steam. That stupid woman! Who do you think you’re dealing with? Sooner or later you will be mine, whether
I marry Marisol or not.

  He dismounted, knocked violently on the door of Alma’s house. A small mixed race maid, Meche opened the door, scared, she immediately stepped back to let him in. The poor thing looked at him as if he were the devil himself. Her attitude did nothing but amuse Federico greatly.

  " Where is your mistress?" He asked rudely.

  "I’ll go and call her, if you’ll excuse me," said Meche, giving a hint of a small bow.

  Alma arrived shortly after.

  " Love, what a surprise, I wasn’t expecting you," she said running up to him and hugging him. Federico hastened to kiss her, forcing himself violently between her parted lips.

  " I want you,” he whispered once the kiss had finished. "Here and now."

  " But love, let’s at least go to the bedroom," Alma tried to say. Now that her elderly aunt spent her days in her room, passing from sleep to an altered state of wakefulness due to the constant administration of laudanum, the two lovers no longer needed to see each other out of town in Doña Raquel’s old property. In addition, Federico occasionally had the opportunity to ransack the house to obtain money without his mother’s knowledge. With the old woman’s jewelry he had scraped together a nice little nest egg.

  "I said here and now," ordered Federico vehemently. "Don’t try to disobey me!”

  Seeing that Alma continued to hesitate, Federico grabbed the neckline of her dress and tore the bodice. Alma gave a slight yelp, but she hastened to take off her gown to prevent further irreparable damage. Federico forced her towards a rug and made her lay down. Grunting he mounted her. The sex was quick, but violent, as he liked it.

  His desire satisfied, he rose to button up his pants. Exhausted, Alma remained laying on the carpet. Federico looked at her with disgust, so submissive and stupid. He touched her with his foot.

  "Are you thinking of spending the whole day there, little slut? Or are you just hoping that I’ll have you again? "

  Alma smiled.

  " You know I'm happy when you're with me. Come back here, come on."

  Federico shook his head.

  " No, your aunt may hear us. When are you going to decide to take her to that damn convent? I can’t stand this situation any longer! You must get rid of her immediately!"

  " Yes I’ll do it, I’ll do whatever you want if you come here," she whispered hopefully.

  Federico was persuaded, and lay down on top of her again.

  " Tomorrow you get rid of that woman, or you won’t see me ever again." He threatened

  " No," cried Alma. "I’ll take her straight to the convent, I promise you! But don’t leave me I beg you! I couldn’t stand it!"

  Alma vigorously tightened her legs around Federico’s waist. You can’t leave! My destiny is to become your wife! Penelope has reaffirmed it!

  "You're a real bitch in heat," panted Federico, as he sank into her. "I should take you straight to Gonzalo’s venta ... you have talent."

  "What my love?" Alma asked, between sighs.

  " You’ll do everything that I command you to, won’t you Alma?" Asked Federico.

  " Everything, anything as long as you're with me. "

  "Then don’t ask questions. Then I'll explain."

  Alma smiled in satisfaction. As they lay together, she thought that Federico was completely hers, and that nothing would ever separate them.

  The following days were uneventful for Aurora, divided between work at the convent and domestic commitments with her parents. Her mother was strangely quiet and amenable, even when Aurora had had to stay longer at the clinic due to an appendicitis that she had had to urgently remove.

  One afternoon, after finishing at the convent, she went to Father Julian's to tell him about the latest progress at the infirmary. With Mother Agostina and Dr. Peron she now formed a close team. Dr. Peron was very knowledgeable, almost as much as her father, but having spent so many years as an alcoholic, it had made him insecure and his shaking hands prevented him from operating. Unfortunately, his past was known to everybody and in Tampico nobody from the better-off class ever went to be treated by him. Instead, in the absence of Dr. Costantino Vargas de Coronado, they called a doctor from San Luis.

  Father Julian was very happy with Aurora’s visit and was even happier to hear about the progress at the convent.

  The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Lucas. Again, by chance, fate had brought them together.

  "Son, you're back from Zacatecas!" Greeted Father Julian, hugging him.

  " Yes, Father! You should see the hacienda! It's great! Of course, there is much work to be done, the main wing of the house needs to be restored, the mine needs to be got up and running again, but it is truly wonderful!" Lucas’ green eyes shone with excitement. He then realized Aurora’s presence.

  " Miss Aurora, good evening. I apologize for not having greeted you before. It is unforgivable." Lucas looked at her with a serene, peaceful expression, smiling vaguely.

  Aurora returned the smile, rather embarrassed. It was the first time they had seen each other since the sad scene with Marisol at the shack on the beach.

  " Good evening, Don Lucas," she replied.

  The three of them sat around Father Julian’s desk.

  "You have to tell me everything!" Said Father Julian, excitedly.

  "If you were talking with Miss Vargas de Coronado I’ll come back at another time," Lucas said, looking at Aurora.

  "No, don’t worry, we had finished. I came only to tell Father Julian about my experience at the convent’s infirmary."

  "Ah, and how things are going? I hope better than the first day!" exclaimed Lucas.

  "Infinitely better, thank you," replied Aurora, smiling. "People are starting to get used to having to deal with a female doctor."

  "I’m delighted for you. You have a lot of courage and I'm happy that your perseverance is being rewarded." Lucas’ eyes looked admiringly at Aurora who blushed. She brushed a lock of hair from her forehead.

  "I’ve other material to bring to the convent," replied Lucas. "Can I come tomorrow if I won’t be an inconvenience?"

  "Of course not," Aurora hastened to respond. "Indeed, it is very kind of you to think of the less fortunate."

  " I told you, my child, that behind the rude and dismissive appearance, Lucas is a profoundly good man," exclaimed Father Julian proudly.

  Lucas smiled slyly.

  " Now I have to go," he said, rising. "I want to go to the bank to find out if Don Guadalupe can grant me the loan. "

  " Good luck, then," said Aurora, extending her hand to Lucas who brought it to his lips touching it lightly. He kept his eyes fixed on Aurora’s who immediately felt her heartbeat accelerate. As if he had noticed the effect he had on her, Lucas gave her a mischievous smile and left.

  Aurora could not help watching him leave. We didn’t fight ... for the first time we didn’t fight.

  A few minutes later, Aurora decided to go home. Deep in thought, she was not aware of the road she was taking. The anger she had felt for Federico was gone, replaced by a strange feeling of anxiety and sadness mixed with melancholy.

  She was, however, pleased to have finally been able to have a good conversation with Lucas without bickering. He’s so excited about his plans for Zacatecas. It would be great for him if what he wanted, after so much suffering, came true. Then a thought, quick as lightning, crossed her mind, she could not stop it or banish it back, deep within her brain, but if this happens he’ll leave Tampico ... forever. And I won’t see him anymore. She could not understand why such a prospective, filled her with disappointment.

  She dismissed this annoying thought from her mind and went into the house.

  "Welcome back my dear," Doña Viviana greeted her, smiling. " Change quickly, we have guests for dinner tonight."

  " Who, mother?" Aurora asked curiously.

  " Don Luis Antonio Braganza, his wife Doña Ines, his daughter Mariana and his nephew Felipe. He's back in Tampico after living many years in Puebla. I’d like you t
o meet him. He’s a little older than you."

  Aurora froze, while a sad realization flooded into her mind.

  "Mother, are you trying to find me a husband without my knowledge?" She asked sharply.

  Doña Viviana looked at Aurora severely.

  " Don’t be silly, it's just a dinner with family friends. And after, if you find him pleasant, what harm would it do?" She replied.

  Aurora chose not to respond so as not to start a fight. It was clear that her mother was trying to speed things up and put her on the spot, to prevent her from continuing to work as a doctor. She sighed agitated. Of course, she would know how to keep this Felipe at bay, but she was also sure that her mother would continue to present other gentlemen, drawn from among the family’s acquaintances, until she decided to get married.

  What can I do? I must find a way out, or my mother won’t stop. And I doubt that I can have my father as an ally for much longer.

  Unnerved, she took off her dress, washed quickly and dressed in a simple aquamarine dress with a modest neckline. She left her bronze hair loose, except for few ringlets on the sides of her head and then went down to the living room.

  Her mother had also changed. Doña Viviana wore a beautiful lavender dress with a plunging neckline. Her hair the same color as her daughter’s was pinned up, while some curls fell softly down her neck.

  " My compliments mother, you look beautiful," said Aurora sincerely. As a child, she had always envied her mother’s beauty and distinction and had dreamed of one day becoming like her.

  Viviana smiled at the compliment.

  "You too, my child, although you could have chosen a more suitable dress," she replied.

  Aurora did not answer, and sat down on the sofa, next to her father.

  Costantino was reading the newspaper and smiled at Aurora.

  "I like you just as you are," he said, winking at her.

  Shortly after the guests arrived. Don Luis Antonio Braganza entered first, a robust old man, with a thick very black mustache that aroused suspicion of the likely use of dyes.

  Behind him came his nephew Felipe, a tall young man with fair hair, broad shoulders and a polite and courteous face. Doña Ines was small and somewhat buxom with rosy cheeks and a jovial expression. The young Mariana was petit but well proportioned with thick blond curls that framed her small heart shaped face. She had just made her debut in society and had the typical enthusiasm of those who expect amazing things from life.