Wicked Whispers (9 page)

The room smelled of Sancha’s light fragrance.

He selected her undergarments and a pale yellow gown that would complement her coloring beautifully. With the clothing in hand, he searched the area for a satchel or sack. Failing, he pulled the blanket from her bed, dropped her things in the center, including shoes, then tied the ends to carry the lot.

Now all he had to do was dash through the corridors without running into anyone who might wonder what he was doing or ask if the blanket contained items for the boy he’d ridden with last night.

Of all the rotten luck to have Luscinda see what no one should. He didn’t want to consider what she might say to the others. None of them would believe he preferred males as some men did. His friends knew his appetite for women, having seen him make moves on countless señoritas. However, they might speculate on who the boy was and perhaps wonder where Sancha had been while he’d also been gone.

He’d yet to share one minute with her at his estate and already their time together seemed threatened.

With the way clear, he recalled the tour Isabella had given him, the castle having seemed like a maze at the time. After a few false starts, he finally found the back way to the hidden door. Muted voices sounded in the next hall with this one still empty. Taking no chance on anyone seeing him, he pressed the seam quickly and slipped inside total darkness.

Too late to return for a candle now and risk discovery.

Feeling his way down the steps took far too long. At length, black brightened to murky brown, candlelight guiding him to the room where he’d left Sancha.

“Forgive me for the delay.” He paused to catch a breath. “With everyone milling about wanting to speak, I had to—”

He stopped and turned a complete circle. “Sancha?”

She wasn’t in the shadows. He checked the other side of the table, thinking she might be on the chair, head down, fast asleep.

Not there either, nor on the floor.

“Sancha!”

He searched everywhere, finding no hidden corridors other than the one he’d come down. She’d promised to stay here until he returned. Or had she? He thought back, realizing she’d nodded but hadn’t actually offered her word.

He lifted his face to the ceiling and thought of the areas above filled with guests, Luscinda, her mamá. Sancha dressed as a boy, possibly surrounded by everyone, while she tried to dodge their questions.

* * * *

Isabella held up her green gown adorned with tiny pearls. “This should do nicely. Fernando gave it to me the day we wed when he thought I was you.”

Sancha sat on the edge of Isabella’s mattress, sack hat in hand. Her tangled hair flowed over her shirt streaked with Maria’s blood and dust from the secret room.

Isabella regarded her closely. “Did your treatment go well?”

Sancha didn’t answer, concerned what she had to tell her sister.

Isabella sucked in a breath. “Oh no. The child died?”

“No. Not at all. I…”

“What?” Isabella joined her on the bed. “Tell me.”

She covered her eyes with her hand. “After your guests leave, Enrique plans to move my books and me to his castle.”

“Wonderful!” She hugged Sancha heartily, rocking her back and forth.

Isabella’s
galgo
, Diego, pushed his narrow snout between them.

“Diego.” She tried to be firm but was soon caressing the dog that licked her cheeks and chin. “You must give your mamá some peace. Go over there and wait.” She pointed to a bed of soft blankets created for the greyhound.

Once he’d obeyed her, she blew him a kiss. “Good boy.” She faced Sancha. “I knew Enrique would win you over. When do you plan to wed?”

She leaned away. “Never. I want no man ruling me, as you well know.”

Isabella made a face. “How can you live with Enrique if you refuse to wed him? A betrothal will never stop gossip.”

“There will be no betrothal either.”

“What—why? Wait.” Isabella shook her head. “As much as I love you, I could never leave Fernando to serve as chaperone for days, months, possibly years on end. My duty is here with him.”

“Mine is to protect both of you. Enrique pointed out how inconsiderate I was to bring my books here, exposing Fernando, you, and your unborn child to the Inquisition.”

Isabella sniffed. “No one would ever suspect me of witchcraft. I have no idea how to take care of any illness nor do I wish to learn. As to Fernando, why would anyone suspect such a great warrior, a knight with no equal?”

“Because of me. My thirst for knowledge and healing taints the entire family.”

She took Sancha’s hands and stared at the linen wrappings. “Why did you tell Enrique anything?”

“Confession was never my intent. He followed me to the village and saw what I do. You must have a word with Fernando about the peasants. They lack adequate food.”

“The village belongs to the noble who owns the adjacent estate.”

“Then Fernando must have a word with him.”

“Your worry about the peasants’ food led you to confess everything to Enrique?”

“No. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was showing him my books in the secret room.”

Isabella grew thoughtful, nodding finally. “Did he kiss you?”

Sancha pulled her hands away. “Do you think of nothing but romance?”

“Someone has to. You surely give the matter no thought.”

“We kissed quite shamelessly.”

“I knew it.” Hands over her heart, she sighed. “Was it the most glorious moment in your life?”

Far better than that and best not repeated. Sancha rubbed her forehead wondering how she could avoid Enrique’s mouth, hands, passion, and her own when they were under the same roof with servants who would turn a blind eye even if he stripped her bare and took her on every available surface.

She held back a moan. “More thrilling than I ever imagined.”

“Wait till you lie with him.”

She rolled her eyes.

“You will.” Isabella wagged her finger. “From the moment Fernando kissed me, I found myself falling hopelessly in love, even though he belonged to you.”

“I never wanted him. Splendid warrior that he is.”

“Then everything worked out as it should. You and Enrique were meant to be together.”

She feared Isabella was right. Circumstances kept pushing them close as though fate wanted her to be a wife and mother rather than a healer. She should have been able to do both with none of her dreams so needlessly complicated and dangerous.

A sharp rap rattled the door. She flinched.

Grimacing, Isabella pushed to her feet. Sancha grabbed her hand. “Are you feeling all right? Is the infant giving you trouble?”

“Only when I awake. Afterward, I could battle any puto who dared threaten me or Fernando.”

“Best not to let your husband hear you utter that word.”

“He always forgives my indiscretions.” Isabella grinned. “As I said, we play games. If you only knew…”

Sancha hoped she never would, afraid Isabella’s tales might give her ideas when it came to Enrique. “Are you going to answer your door?” Whoever was on the other side had rapped again.

“I fear it may be Luscinda. She came here earlier looking for Enrique.”

“Why?”

“She has her eye on him. You best catch him while you can.”

At the rate their relationship was progressing, within a day or two they’d be so entwined and moaning merrily, no one would be able to separate them. Not even Luscinda.

Sancha had seen the young woman eye Enrique at the gathering. She remembered the cutting comments about her returning to the convent, how lucky she was not having to keep up with her appearance. She could become even uglier than she already was and no one would care.

She dug her nails more deeply into her palms. “If she gives you any trouble, leave her to me.”

“Aha, you do want Enrique.”

Of course she did, no matter how foolhardy her feelings were.

Isabella opened the door and growled. “Whatever do you want this time—Enrique?”

“You expected someone else?”

“Ah, no. Sancha is over there.” She pointed.

He stormed to her.

Sancha stood and backed away.

“Why did you leave the room?” He gestured wildly. “I looked everywhere for you.”

“You never returned. I had no choice but to leave.”

“Dressed as you are?” He lifted her blanket. “When I brought you this to wear?”

“Wait.” Isabella held up her hand. “You expect her to put on bedding when you rail about what she has on now?”

He looked over. “Do you mind? Your sister and I would like to be alone.”

“In Isabella’s room?” Sancha asked.

“You give me no choice. You fled before I could come back as I promised.”

“What kept you?” Isabella eyed the blanket. “Did you have trouble pulling the sheets off the bed?”

“How you jest.” He gave her a sour look. “Sancha’s gown and other items are inside. I came upon so many guests before I could get to your sister’s room, the greetings and converse nearly did me in.”

Sancha could imagine. “Was one of those guests Luscinda? Isabella said she came here asking where you were.”

His face went white.

Isabella didn’t see. She had her back to him as she closed the door. “Luscinda appears to want you quite badly. Of course, we know she has no chance for your heart.”

A faint blush tinted his cheeks, though not enough to restore his color.

Sancha’s stomach hurt. “What is it?”

“Luscinda stopped me on the stairway. She was the one on the balcony earlier, not Isabella. She saw you with me.”

Isabella joined them. “What are you talking about? What were you doing?”

“Riding his horse.” Sancha spoke to him. “What did you say?”

“What else? I denied everything and left as quickly as I could.” He glanced at Isabella. “You may hear rumors. I trust you to handle them quickly.”

“Of course. If Luscinda says anything untoward concerning either of you, she will have to deal with me.”

“Not only her, everyone. Should anyone ask about Sancha in the coming days, tell them she stays here but is too ill to leave her bed. After a time, if questions arise again, say she remains at the convent.”

Isabella regarded Sancha. “How long are you planning to stay with him?”

“For as long as she wants,” Enrique said. “Forever, if things come to that. She always has my protection.”

Isabella exchanged a glance with her. Sancha chose not to comment.

After pulling apart the knots in the blanket, he gestured to the clothing inside. “Everything you require should be there for today’s journey. No need to take anything other than what you brought here, including your books. Once at my estate, tell me what you want and the item is yours.”

Including freedom to do as she willed without consulting him first?

“Give us a moment.” Isabella ushered him to the door.

He didn’t open it. “I want a promise neither of you will take off, forcing Fernando and me to chase after you.”

Isabella smiled dreamily. Sancha expected her sister to regale Enrique with those times she and Fernando had played the game.

At last, Isabella nodded. “Of course.”

“Yours too.”

Sancha inclined her head in agreement. “You have my word.”

“Wait till you see my castle. The grounds, the rooms. Everything will enchant you.”

She didn’t doubt his claim. She’d sat happily with him in a hovel that offered the barest necessities. When splendor surrounded them at his estate, those moments would certainly seem enchanting. Clearly, her resolve had to be strong.

“We can pack your books after everyone leaves. I promise to take care and will tell my servants to follow your directives in regards to them.”

His kindness was too much, threatening to weaken her determination. Although she had to fight her feelings, she couldn’t deny him a smile or her gratitude. “Gracias, Enrique.”

He gave her a pleased grin and left.

She took Isabella’s hands. “If anyone in the village requires me, tell Juanita to send word. I trust her completely.”

“Of course. Will you send word to Rupert?” He’d been the trusted manservant to their late father.

“I will. If those in the villages surrounding my estate need me, Rupert knows what to do.”

“Will you now help those near Enrique’s castle?”

“Nothing will stop me. I made him well aware of my intent and calling. Should he fail me in any way, I shall take my leave.”

“Take care not to fail him.”

She shook her head. “How?”

“He loves you greatly and would die if you came to harm. Do be careful of the world lying beyond a castle’s walls. When I traveled with Fernando, I saw things that would have horrified you.”

“What goes on within these walls is oftentimes as bad. Nobles can turn as ruthless as the poorest man. Sometimes more so, as they have much to lose.”

“Perhaps you and I can make the world a safer place. Me with Fernando’s sword, you with your healing.”

Laughing, Sancha embraced her sister. “I will miss you during these next days.”

“Prepare for a much longer time. Your future.”

Enrique’s castle sprawled over the highest hill in the area, the white stone tower seeming to touch the sky. Because of the impregnable location, there wasn’t a need to keep the windows narrow, scarcely letting in air or light.

Arched openings three times the height of Spain’s tallest men graced the upper floors, offering an astounding view of the valley. As far as the eye could see rows of vineyards, olive groves, rich pastures, and grazing cattle competed for attention.

To him, the lake was his property’s most magnificent feature, its water a startling blue beneath a flawless sky. The pond closer to his castle was far smaller but more accessible and as inviting.

Sancha noticed none of the splendor today or on any other. As always, she had her head bent to a volume, reading intently.

Late afternoon light poured into the room, setting fire to her hair. Her silk gown shimmered each time she breathed or shifted her weight, the coppery color as rich as her dark eyes. Her long lashes cast shadows on her cheeks.

A surge of warmth settled in his groin, thickening his shaft.