Despite Salvador remaining seated, his majestic height was clearly evidenced by his long legs, one of them crossed over the other, his left foot resting on the lower rung of his brother’s chair. He was bestowed with rugged good looks, and by the way he raised an eyebrow during our introduction, Salvador knew it. But the playful smile with which he greeted me made up for his spirited loftiness.
He directed me to sit beside him and I accepted the large goblet of plum wine he handed me. His air of confidence would have thrown me if it weren’t for my belief that I belonged.
This dashing captain appeared to be the quintessential man’s man. I found myself staring at him and in return he stared back, until his intense brown-eyed gaze forced me to look away.
My attention turned to his mother, Señora Renee. Sipping my third glass of wine, I easily conversed with her. All the Morans had an easy charm, it seemed. Her kindheartedness reminded me of my own mother. Fearful of spiraling into melancholy, my attention turned back on Salvador. Something about him fascinated me. His unassuming demeanor reflected wisdom.
A tap on my shoulder caused me to turn.
Señor Moran smiled. “Señor Velde, may I introduce a dear friend.”
I rose up, biting hard on my inner cheek. I knew this face, though I’d never met the man.
Senator Felipe Grenaldi’s likeness to his image in the portrait was uncanny. The artist had captured his crooked mouth and his receding hair line. He’d aged well, easily hiding his fifty-years. When we shook hands, I felt moisture on his palm. Felipe gave a smile that quickly faded.
Señor Moran patted my arm. “The senator’s interested in purchasing an Andalusian,” he said.
I nodded, my stare not leaving Felipe’s.
“Business should never be discussed in front of a lady.” He turned to face me. “Shall we?” He gestured to the garden.
As Felipe led me away from the table, he said, “They’ve certainly picked a good evening for their party.”
Stone-faced, I concentrated on keeping my jaw relaxed, not wanting to give away any tension. In a single night, I’d mastered his signature and used the skill to deprive this stranger of his inheritance, and I wondered if he knew.
Beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead. I glanced up indicating I’d noticed.
The gardens were sprawling. Two gentlemen passed by heading back into the house.
“How’s the ranch?” Felipe asked appearing casual.
“Good.”
“Affluence agrees with you,” he said.
“I have a good stallion for you. He’s temperamental but nevertheless fast.”
“Señor Moran misspoke.”
“I’m sorry. I thought he suggested—”
“I have a proposition,” he said. “I’d like to invest in your ranch. Help establish your business.”
“It’s a generous offer, but—”
“I could further your reputation.”
Something about the way he favored his right leg, flicked the fingers of his right hand against his thigh—an impatient trait—seemed familiar and yet the painting had been the only time I’d ever seen him.
“A royal seal will advance your success,” he said.
I turned to go. “Let me know if you change your mind about that horse.”
“Roelle had a tendency to be unruly, but you know that.”
I faced him again.
“Such a long time ago,” he said. “But I haven’t forgotten him.”
I didn’t want to say that I had. No happy memories there, none worth their time, anyway.
Felipe slid both hands into his pockets. “Roelle was the only one to die in the fire.”
I nodded.
Felipe squinted. “I still believe it was foul play.”
“Have you known Señor Moran long?” I asked.
“Long enough. You were there that night?”
“Where’s this heading?”
“Have you forgotten who you’re speaking with?”
I shrugged.
“I never got answers,” he said.
“We were all devastated.”
He gave a look of surprise.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said.
“Roelle planned to leave me an inheritance in his will.”
“Did he?”
“You know the answer to that.”
“I take it that’s a no.”
“Take the offer,” Felipe said.
“As you can see, my business is doing well.”
“But it could do better.”
“What is it you really want?”
“Roelle educated you. He tried to liberate you from your peasant background.”
“You know nothing of my family’s history.”
He gave a subtle smile. “At least consider the offer.”
My stare gave my answer.
“Don’t cross me, Daumia. I’ll bring you down. My power reaches all the way to the crown.”
“I’ll never be beholden to you.”
His eyes widened. “You tampered with the will.”
“Is such a thing even possible?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “What happened to Aaron?”
“I was nine when he disappeared, remember?”
We both stared off in the direction of the rustling leaves. A bird hopped out from the greenery and flew off.
“You’re naïve.” Felipe ran his fingers over his jaw.
“Stay off my ranch.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I have nothing to lose,” I said. “You, however, risk money, status, and power. Your future lies in my hands.”
“And your sister lies in mine.”
I reacted before I could stop myself.
“That’s right. You kept the money and I kept your sister,” he said. “Perhaps you’d like to exchange?”
“Where is she?”
“Vigo. The way I see it, you’re benefiting from this transaction.”
“I want to see her.”
“Perhaps.”
I tried to conceal my panic.
“I warned Roelle, but he wouldn’t listen. I told him you were trouble.”
“He was a coward, as are you.”
“I’ll see to it that Alicia’s given to the soldiers.”
I thrust him against the wall.
His head struck the masonry. “If anything happens to me . . .”
I pulled back.
He straightened his jacket. A little way off Cornelius appeared in the doorway and signaled to us.
I gestured to Cornelius that we’d seen him. “We’re finished.”
“Then you agree to my terms?” Felipe said.
Cornelius motioned for us to hurry. “You’ve been summoned by Father,” he shouted. “The entertainment’s about to begin.”
Felipe turned to me and whispered, “A dispatch from the king will be sent to you.”
I felt cornered.
Felipe seemed to sense this. “I’ll have my lawyer draw up the papers that secure my share in Roelle’s ranch.” He walked away and followed Cornelius back into the house. “As I recall,” he shouted over to him, “you promised me the girl after the dance.”
“Come see your prize,” Cornelius said.
* * * *
I remained by the large double doors of the ballroom.
Leaning against it, grateful for the cool evening breeze, my hands shook.
I lifted one of the drinks offered from a tray and gulped the wine. Responding to my gesture, the waiter paused, allowing me to drop the empty glass and immediately take another. I felt a nudge and turned to see Salvador.
“Happy with your transaction?” he said.
My guess had been right. He stood an inch taller than me.
“What?” I said.
“The senator’s horse?”
“We’re still negotiating.” I forced a smile.
“Must be some horse.”
I grimaced at the thought of Felipe touching
Alicia. My reaction had apparently gone unnoticed.
“My intention is to work for the senator when I retire,” Salvador said. “I have one more year as a captain.”
“Politics?”
He nodded.
More guests lingered at the ballroom’s edge and the orchestra struck up.
“Change is what this country needs.” Salvador raised his voice over the music. “I have no interest in business.” He flinched. “Sorry I didn’t mean—”
“You’d make a fine politician.”
Upon Salvador’s breasted jacket hung a gold medal engraved with a military emblem. I wondered how many men he’d had to kill to get it.
I followed his gaze.
“Isn’t she gorgeous?” he said.
I sucked in my breath, entranced. At the center of the ballroom there stood a beautiful flamenco dancer, sixteen in years, or so, but her dramatic make-up made it difficult to guess.
Staccato handclapping arose from the crowd.
Waiting, she tilted her head, as though listening to the rhythm of the chanting. The fingers of her left hand struck the right, slapping the perfectly formed hollow. She threw back her head and lush, dark curls cascaded over her face. She snapped her fingers again and clicked her heels in an explosion of passion as she twisted the frills of her red dress. It swayed and whipped around her. She conveyed a tortured expression, exposing a broken heart, shattered into a thousand pieces and then flicked up her lace fan to cover her face and peered over it.
Our gazes met.
I wanted to know her.
I closed my mouth. “When does the senator return home?”
“Tonight,” Salvador said. “He has to be back in Vigo by the morning.”
“How far away is Vigo?”
“It’s a two-day journey.”
I studied the faces of the other guests. They too were captivated with the girl.
“Look at the senator. He’s virtually drooling,” Salvador said.
Salvador’s stare held mine, then his gaze drifted onto my mouth. The moment caught me off guard.
He gestured to a waiter and placed my empty glass on the man’s tray, lifted a full drink off it, and handed it back to me. He took one for himself. “To new acquaintances that become close friends.” His hand brushed against the lower arch of my back.
I felt a sudden thrill.
Unfazed, I raised my glass and clinked it against his, and then glanced back at the girl.
Chapter 11
THE SPINNING SLOWED.
Salvador and I lay on the lush lawn of his parent’s home admiring the low hung moon. Wine flowed through my veins taking the edge off.
There had to be a way to ensure my sister’s safety and extricate Felipe from our lives.
The guests withdrew, discussing the flamenco dancer who’d taken their breaths away. I was spellbound with her. Falling into this beautiful stranger’s arms held the promise of forgetting and I found myself smiling when I thought of her.
Salvador unbuttoned his jacket, revealing his white shirt, pulled taut over his chest. The way the corner of his mouth turned up revealed he’d caught me staring. The night sky bestowed an array of silver stars. Alcohol enhanced their mystery, causing them to dance like fireflies. The mood had taken a pensive turn when Salvador recounted his experiences in battle. Absorbed in his description, I could smell the gunpowder.
“Sleep deprivation allows a man to see who he really is,” Salvador said.
“Was it worth it?” I asked.
“Of course. We overran the skirmish.”
“You’re a better man than I.” Although fascinated, I felt no such loyalty. Royalty only existed to control the people and tax them well. My opinion would remain my own. I pointed to his medal. “Why did they give you that?”
He glanced down at the dangling metal that resembled a coin. “My regiment ambushed the enemy’s camp.” He peeled back his shirt to show me a scar on his chest. “A memento.”
“How did you get that?”
“Their king resisted arrest.” Salvador sighed. “War is not how you imagine it. Rules that I learned as a junior officer didn’t apply in battle.”
“Life is already so short.”
“And if heaven does exit,” Salvador said, “I’m not sure I’d get in.”
I burst into laughter.
His smile widened into a grin. “Now that I’m home, I’m going to make the most of every moment.” He gave me an affectionate nudge. “What do you want?”
My gaze fell to his lips.
He fell back and laughed.
I rested my head on my hands. “What do you want?”
“I think . . .”
“Careful what you ask for.”
“You know I’d do anything for you.”
“And we’ve only just met.”
He turned to face me. “Some people are more likable than others.”
“I might just put that to the test.”
“Try me.”
“Bring me the girl.”
Salvador sat up.
I leaned in close to his ear. “Bring her to me.”
“I believe she’s with the senator.”
“Then you’d better move fast.”
Salvador leaped to his feet and stared at me.
I had nothing to lose. I’d soon be reunited with Alicia, my last link to my family. All this time, she’d been with Felipe who’d poisoned her mind, no doubt. When I found her, I’d explain everything. The promise of vindication was real.
* * * *
Salvador headed fast toward me. When I saw that he was alone, I felt disappointment.
“I’ve been on some dangerous missions,” he said, “but this one beats them all.”
“What happened?”
“We were just in time,” he said. “Felipe had her taken to his guest quarters. She’s terrified. You do realize if he ever found out—”
“Take me to her.”
Disappointment danced in his eyes.
I rested my thumb on his lower lip and his mouth parted. An uncommon arousal stirred as Salvador’s pout met mine and our tongues brushed. He opened his mouth wider to deepen our kiss, and there came a passionate surge so fervent that it seized my breath.
I broke away.
Salvador looked disconcerted.
We ascended the stairs, quickly reaching Salvador’s bedroom. He opened the door and signaled for me to enter. Silhouetted at the window stood the beautiful flamenco dancer.
“It’s tradition to spoil our guests.” He gave me a wink and then closed the door as he withdrew.
The dancer backed away toward the bed.
“You’re safer going in the other direction,” I said.
Her cheeks blushed.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Annabelle.”
Her hands scrunched the material of her dress, lifting it slightly off the floor.
“You’re safe now,” I said. “Will you dance for me?”
She hesitated.
I gestured, “Please,” and then settled upon the edge of the bed.
Her demeanor changed.
Where there had stood a virgin, now an exotic creature struck a graceful pose. Her chin pointed down with desire. A flurry of evocative steps, a señorita’s yearning, she tapped into her emotions and translated them into movement, twisting and turning, stomping and then stepping delicately with pointed toes, a wondrous performance.
Though no words passed between us, we spoke. With all my will, I resisted the urge to pull her into my arms. Annabelle was once again a young girl. She broke into ripples of laughter.
“You move like a goddess.” I sighed.
She gave a coy smile.
“You don’t say much, do you?” I folded my arms.
She fluttered long eyelashes.
“Well?” I said.
“They ordered me to wait.”
“For the senator?”
From her expression, I could see she didn
’t like the idea, either.
“I won’t let him touch you,” I said.
Her shoulders dropped their tension. Her clenched fingers relaxed.
“Where are you from?” I asked.
“Seville.”
“You look Spanish, but something else—”
“My grandfather was Egyptian.”
Such lineage had bestowed an exotic mix, delicate, noble features, and a petite dancer’s frame.
“You’re beautiful,” I said.
A noise outside startled her.
“The senator doesn’t know you’re here,” I said.
She ran to me and buried her head into my chest. A hint of lilies wafted. Even though she held me, I was the one who felt safe. I marveled at her serenity as she snuggled into me. Time ceased at that very moment, and I was unable to recall the last time I’d experienced such affection. A few maids had bestowed relief over the years, but none of them had captured me like her.
“You can’t stay here. Look.” I led her over to the window and pointed. “Head for that house. Give this note to the butler.” I scribed quickly.
She accepted the folded paper.
“That’s my home,” I said. “Stay for as long as you like.”
She stared off at the great manor.
“You’ll be safe there, I promise.”
She hugged me again.
“Now go. A warm meal and soft bed awaits you.”
With her fingers wrapped around the door handle, she turned and smiled.
Something internal melted. She’d penetrated my very core, by passing my life-long wall, and I didn’t even know her.
She was gone.
I hoped to be the one to win her over. But a more pressing matter tormented me, Alicia. A terrible feeling came with the knowledge that Felipe had used her to get to me.
Alicia, I’m coming for you.
From the window, I watched Annabelle run along the garden pathway, making her way north toward the estate. The full moon guided her steps. I sighed as I left the room, captivated with the idea that I’d stolen her away, and I offered a quiet prayer that she’d make it.
Staff were reluctant to divulge Salvador’s whereabouts, but I wouldn’t take no for an answer. They relented and pointed in the direction of the servant’s quarters.
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