by Aria Norton
“’Tis obvious, isn’t it? You chose me, a woman rejected by people of her own kind and raised by servants. It seems you have the short end of the stick, Mr Fernandez. Did you pay my father for my hand? He is wealthy by most standards, but you clearly far surpass him.”
Carlo’s face became stony, his jaw rigid. What had she said to so suddenly anger him?
“People are not commodities to be bought. Not once did your father and I discuss payment for you.”
“But you did discuss my life as though my opinion didn’t matter,” she countered. “You might as well have bought me from him.”
Shaking his head, he looked away, clearly offended. What a strange man. He thinks it acceptable to arrange for marriage without a woman’s permission, but he is against buying people. Does he know that it’s a contradiction of sorts?
Shrugging one shoulder, she folded her arms below her bust and leaned against the seat.
“Do you think that I would do such a thing?” Carlos asked.
The question came out of nowhere. She lifted her head, meeting his serious gaze. He honestly seems to care what I think of him.
“I do not see why not. People have been trading slaves for centuries, and you are a merchant. Is it not your business to give people what they want?”
“The slave trade has been abolished.”
“Yes, but has slavery been abolished? Have men and women been set free?”
She knew enough to understand that slavery was a large part of Britain’s power and a source of infinite income. People would not so readily give it up.
“I have never carried slave cargo on my ships if that is what you are implying.”
“I do not know you, Mr Fernandez; thus, I can only make a judgement on what I know. You have married me against my will – is that not a form of slave trade?”
“If that is the case, then most marriages in Britain are forms of slave trade, yes?”
She hadn’t thought of it in that way, but that seemed to be an accurate description.
“Precisely.”
“And yet it persists because men must have wives, and women must marry. You appear to be the only one who rallies against the way things are.”
“That is because men do not care if their wives are not willing spouses. Fathers and husbands give the rules, and we must abide by them or suffer the consequences. Only a few marriages are created out of love.”
Her parents had enjoyed such a marriage, one of the fortunate few. What of her brothers’ marriages to their wives? She knew that Edward loved his wife, but what of James, Alexander, and Malcolm? Her sisters-in-law were obedient wives, but Hannah seemed to exert some influence on Edward. Was that what love did? Give you the power to have a voice in marriage?
“I gather you would have preferred to marry a man of your station?” Carlos asked.
Was he mad? That was the furthest thing from her mind. “In case you failed to notice, I do not fit in with my class. I would sooner marry a commoner than a nobleman.”
He smiled. “Then you need not look far.”
Belatedly, she realised what she had admitted. “I said that I would rather marry a commoner, not that I wished to marry a commoner!”
“At least allow me to bask in the knowledge that I tick one of your required boxes.”
“Do not get any ideas, Mr Fernandez! I do not like you at all.”
He sighed, still grinning. “And here I thought I might win some of my wife’s approval.”
“You thought wrong.”
“Evidently.”
He was still smiling, irking her. “Do not think that I have forgotten my promise to you. I will never let you live in peace, not for as long as you keep me your wife.”
“I haven’t forgotten your threat.”
“Marrying me comes with dire consequences.”
He laughed. “Somehow, I think my life will never be dull again. You can hurl as many insults, tricks, and pranks at me as is humanely possible; I will take them all.”
Did he think she did not mean what she said? He should know by now that I follow through on my word.
“You do not know what you are saying.”
“Oh, I do. Remember, I lived through an entire week at the mercy of your hands. Not even my guards were capable of protecting me from you.”
She had been a bit of a terror, hadn’t she? I have never pulled as many pranks in one week as punishment. She began to laugh, catching herself. This man was her enemy, not her friend. Why on earth was she entertaining him by laughing? He cannot think that I have let my guard down, or that I am warming to him. She needed to remember that.
Chapter 15
“We are almost home.”
Carlos said this with some surprise. While he was happy that he wouldn’t be cramped in a carriage for much longer, their arrival home signalled the end of his time alone with Aurora. The woman had come alive in the last couple of days, asking him all sorts of questions about his childhood and travels. They had their arguments here and there, but even they were preferable to her silence of the first day. I must be going mad to prefer hearing a woman tell me that she doesn’t like me, nor does she wish to be married to me. However, for all her words, the rest of her was pleasant enough.
“Home? Indeed?” she asked, frowning. “All I see are trees.”
“The house is in a secluded place for privacy. I do not want my mother to be bothered by anyone.”
In the back of his mind, he still feared Alba would find them and harm Lydia before Carlos could prove himself.
“She must be lonely. We have many tenants on our land, and they have several children. I have always had people to play with or talk to.”
Her childhood was different from his in that respect. Lydia had seldom allowed him out of her sight, frightened that Alba would take him from her.
“There are servants to keep her company, and she is seldom idle. Her garden has come into bloom, and she loves pottering about in the kitchen despite having a cook.”
“I also enjoy being in the kitchen.”
She did? “Can you cook?”
She nodded. “I can, but not as well as Netty. She taught me the basics, and when I feel like learning something new, I experiment. Most of my experiments have not come out well, but those that did were simply delicious.”
Carlos knew from the very beginning that his wife was unconventional, but he was beginning to see just how much. How would she fare among the Spanish nobles? Would they mock her? A feeling of fierce protection pierced his heart. They would be unwise to do so to my face. He had promised to protect her, and that was what he would do.
“My mother will appreciate your homely skills, although she will be surprised. I told her that I’m marrying a baron’s daughter, so she expects to meet someone who needs to be waited on hand and foot. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has picked out your own handmaiden as well as several other servants to ensure that you’re comfortable.”
“Oh, goodness! She needn’t go to all that trouble. I can take care of myself. The servants always insisted on doing things for me at home, but once I learnt to do them myself, I told them not to worry. Sometimes my words fell on deaf ears because I would find them doing the very same things I asked them not to.”
This woman was indeed one of a kind. She is more commoner than noble, but no one could mistake her for a common woman. Whether she knew it or not, Aurora held herself in a way that spoke of her pure-blood. Even the way she dealt with the servants, although lovingly, spoke of a mistress rather than an equal.
“You might find my mother doing the same thing.”
“I do not wish to upset her, so I shall leave her to do as she thinks necessary until we grow accustomed to each other. Perhaps then she will allow me some leeway.”
Carlos couldn’t have asked for a better answer. For all her childish antics, she is an intelligent and sensible woman. I didn’t need to worry about how she would treat my mother. Lydia is going to love her.
“That is kind of you when it’s apparent that you hate anyone controlling you.”
He could have slapped himself for saying that because she immediately closed up like a clam, looking away. Why did he have to remind her of their situation? Aurora didn’t trust him, and he didn’t blame her. He had married her for his own gain, and while she didn’t know all his motives, she was wise enough to figure out that he hadn’t told her everything. Perhaps one day, if necessary. The more time I spend with her, the more I am loathe to hurt her.
As she sat staring at their surroundings, he wondered how long this stony silence would last. She had had several throughout their journey, and he had been left trying to draw her out of them. Sometimes, he gave her time to overcome whatever may have angered her, and other times he said silly things to make her laugh. Aurora loved to laugh, and he had grown to enjoy hearing her laugh. Her nanny had referred to her as sunshine, and he could see why. The entire carriage would be illuminated by one of her smiles, and he always felt warmed by her cheerful nature. She dislikes me, but not even that can hide her nature. There were moments when he wished to share his full life story hoping that she would forgive him for making her his wife, but he knew it would likely prove disastrous. What if she grew to hate him?
“I see a house ahead,” she said. “It’s rather lovely and picturesque. Is that your mother’s home? It’s the only house I’ve seen since we entered this area.”
His heart lightened at her excitement. “That is it. You’ll notice that it is not nearly as big as your father’s house, but my mother loves it.”
“It’s beautiful,” she gushed. “I have often wondered how it would be to live in a smaller home. It must be easier to clean, yes? The servants and I often spend hours cleaning the house, especially on a spring-clean day. We start at the top and work our way to the bottom, sweeping, mopping, shining, dusting, and rearranging everything until it looks new. I changed the library layout this year because I felt that the room wasn’t getting maximum light during the day. Now, I’ll be able to read with natural light and ...”
Her words trailed off, a little line appearing between her eyebrows. Carlos understood her sudden silence.
“It will take some time to get used to no longer living at home.”
“There would be nothing to get used to had you not taken me away.”
Carlos bowed his head. They would never be able to get away from that, would they? Aurora was intent on reminding him every step of the way. Closing his eyes, he counted to twenty, reminding himself that he needed to be patient and understanding. We have only just wed; this is all fresh in her mind. Perhaps Lydia will be able to win her over and soften her heart towards me. He didn’t expect her to love him, but they could be good companions for each other. I may have married her for my own needs, but I am first and foremost, her husband. I need to treat her accordingly.
Looking out to the house, he saw his mother run out towards them. He frowned. She should not be running with the condition of her leg. He would have to remind her of that later – not that she would listen to him.
“A woman is running towards us.”
“My mother.”
“Oh.”
Aurora smiled, seemingly amused by the scene. There was no judgement in her eyes, only interest. Had I married anyone else, they might have been embarrassed by my mother’s actions. Each day, he grew to appreciate his wife’s uniqueness, although sometimes he wished she wasn’t so odd and stubborn.
The second he jumped down from the carriage, his mother threw herself into his arms. It was like this whenever he spent time away from her, even if it was but a few days. Lydia treasured life and family, and she made sure that he understood that.
“Mi hijo! I am so glad you are home? Where is my daughter-in-law? I must meet her!”
Aurora appeared, climbing down the steps his footman had placed before her. His mother gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Aurora’s eyes widened, worried as she looked at him questioningly.
“Mother, this is Aurora.”
Tears sprang to Lydia’s eyes. Now he was growing concerned! He took her hand, patting it.
“Are you well?”
She returned his pat, nodding. “I am better than well, hijo. Your wife is beautiful, more than I could have ever imagined. I am so happy that you finally settled and married.” She stepped towards Aurora, a great big smile on her lovely face. “Child, you are welcome in this home. In fact, it is your own home. I hope and pray that you will find happiness here.”
Carlos was surprised his mother didn’t embrace Aurora as she usually did when she met anyone. Oh, I see. Aurora is from a titled family, and she does not wish to overstep. To his amazement, his wife smiled and put her arms around Lydia.
“Thank you for the warm welcome, Mrs Fernandez.”
His mother was stunned for all of two seconds before returning the hug and pulling his wife inside the house, chattering along the way. They are going to be just fine. It was only him he was worried about.
Carlos found his mother taking Aurora on a tour of the house, talking a mile a minute in bits of Spanish and English. She probably didn’t realise she was doing it, but his wife might be confused by the foreign language. When Lydia asked in Spanish if she liked any particular foods, he thought he would have to step in and translate. How wrong he was.
“I love vegetables and soups,” she answered in perfect Spanish.
Stunned, Carlos paused several feet away from them, staring at his wife in wonder. I didn’t know she could speak Spanish! He had never thought to ask, but had he known, he might not have said a few choice words when she had angered him. She didn’t act as though she understood me, but she must have heard all I said to her. The knowledge made him colour, his cheeks growing hot.
Lydia clapped her hands twice, impressed. “You speak Spanish beautifully, hija.”
Daughter. The word had flowed off his mother’s lips easily, warming him. She has fully accepted Aurora; she doesn’t use that word lightly.
Carlos remained following behind them at a distance, his gaze on his wife. His mother had her by the hand, showing her everything she felt was essential to know. In between the tour, Aurora was washed in gushing words since his mother could not stop praising her.
“You are beautiful like my Carlos’ mother. Her mother was English, and her Papa was Spanish, but she had golden hair and blue eyes. Carlos took after his father with his dark looks, but he is handsome, yes?”
He leaned in to hear her response, but she spoke so quietly he didn’t hear what she said. Disappointed, he walked a little closer, hoping she would say something positive about him.
“Your hair is so lovely, hija. So thick, and luxurious and long. I imagine someone had to help you wash and detangle it? No matter, I will help you with your hair from now on. Tell me, do all the women in your family have such striking eyes? They are a little turned up at the end, and such a fine green they are! They remind me of emeralds. Oh!”
Both he and Aurora jumped at the sudden shout from his mother. Had she hurt her leg?
“Mother–”
“Carlos,” she interrupted. “Have you given Aurora her gift?”
“Which one?”
He had given his wife many things hoping that she would warm towards him. Unfortunately, his wife was not materialistic.
