Wicked Whispers (8 page)

He wasn’t certain what to think about that or how to feel.

“You believe my being a woman and you being a man gives you the right to tell me what to do?”

He’d have to be a lunatic to make such a claim and risk her wrath. Having her annoyed at him was bad enough. “Again, no. However, what you have already done to my brother not only gives me the right but the obligation to see no further harm comes to him because of you.”

“What?” She dropped her hands to her sides and strode to him. Like a man. “How have I hurt Fernando? Have you forgotten I saved his life and spared his limbs?”

“With you reminding me repeatedly? I will be eternally grateful for your efforts, but I will not allow you to put him at risk with these.” He gestured to her books. “What do you intend to do if the authorities come here to search? Tell them the volumes walked in on their own?”

Her frown dissolved into a surprised expression followed by concern. “That could never happen.”

“Why not? Although Fernando’s holdings are far less than yours, inquisitors would find them equally attractive. After all, wealth is wealth.”

“Fernando served Spain bravely in his battles, proving his loyalty to the Crown and Church. No one would ever suspect him of heresy or witchery.”

“They might be suspicious of you. As your brother-in-law, Fernando may have known the details of your alleged crimes and hidden them from the authorities at Isabella’s request. Perhaps by keeping your books here.”

Sancha backed away. Enrique followed. “Tell me, did Isabella inform my brother that you have the volumes hidden here? I won’t bother to inquire whether she asked Fernando his opinion on the matter, seeking his dreaded permission first. Isabella does whatever she wants, the same as you. At least until now.”

Sancha stopped pulling in her shoulders.

If she were preparing to do battle with him, she would never win.

“Finally, I understand your intent.” She looked down her nose at him. “You mean to secure my obedience to your will by threatening me.”

“Never, and you know so in your heart. I simply want you to see reason. You had no right to bring these books here and put my brother, his wife, and their coming child at risk. For a caring woman with the peasants, your behavior with your own family has been quite inconsiderate.”

Her cheeks flushed darker than they had before. She pressed her fingers to her forehead.

He wanted to say something to make matters better but couldn’t dismiss the gravity of her actions. She wasn’t a foolish woman except when it came to healing.

“I was wrong to have done this.” She dropped her hand. “Isabella only suggested the room because she knows I worry about saving this knowledge for future healers. I shall move the books at once.”

“Where? Back to your castle?”

“No. Too many already know of my desire for knowledge and question why I would prefer books to parties. The convent is equally dangerous. None of the sisters would betray me, of course. They want to learn as I do. The
sacerdote
who oversees them is an arrogant man, wanting to keep women from knowing too much. He would readily contact the authorities.” She strode back and forth, chewing on the edge of her thumb. “There has to be another place.”

“There is. Mine.”

She stopped. “Your castle? No. Never.”

“Why? I have even more hiding places in mine than Fernando has here.”

“And the same risk of discovery. You rail at me for putting him in danger, then offer to do the same for yourself?”

“My ties to Isabella and you are nowhere near as strong as his.” Yet. “My suggestion is the perfect solution.”

“For who? In addition to keeping my books safe, I need them at hand to study and perform my experiments.”

“You can do whatever you need at my castle. If you require an entire wing and every mouse on the estate, you shall have both.”

“No.” She paced even faster. “What of the peasants I have seen to for years? If—”

“Years?” He regarded her clothing. “I thought last night was the first time you dressed as a boy.”

“It was. I tended to the peasants at the convent, though not to the extent I would have liked.”

“At my estate, freedom is yours.”

“To do what? Decide which of your demands to obey first?”

Oh, this woman. Intractable. Maddening. And unfortunately, irresistible to him. “My only request is for you to remain safe.”

“Under your protection.”

“What else?”

She advanced so quickly, he instinctively stepped back.

“Under your protection as what? Your wife?”

He grinned. “Say the word and we shall wed.”

“If I remain silent on the matter?”

His smile faded at how she persisted in wounding him, though he didn’t believe she did so intentionally. Her response to his caress and kisses told him what was in her heart. Her trust, however, was another matter. She seemed convinced he’d shackle her will and spirit if they married.

He’d expect some obedience, of course. What man wouldn’t? But he’d never demand she agree with everything he said and wanted. He needed a woman to stand by his side, not behind or in front of him, as she seemed determined to do. “Your response to me on the ride here said more than words ever could.”

She sighed. “Enrique.”

“No. Nothing you say will change my mind on the matter. I offer you my home and protection, while also allowing you to do whatever you want, within reason. Few men would be as permissive.”

“With
my
life,
my
desires, and within whatever you consider reasonable. Very well, allow me to be as permissive with you as you want to be with me. Anyone can clearly see your lust is getting in the way of your good sense. You and I would make a horrible match. To spare you a lifetime of misery at my side, the answer is no.”

He opened his mouth to retort.

She held up her hand. “Never suggest I live with you without a chaperone as tongues would wag at my unwed state. Before you enlist Isabella for the position, know this: she will never leave Fernando’s side to watch over my virtue.”

“Lust is only part of what I feel for you, as you well know. You could live at my castle undetected. We have no reason to announce you staying there.”

“What of your servants? Are they blind and mute? Or do you hope none of them will gossip?”

“Each of them and their offspring has been with my family for years and are as loyal to me as I will always be to them. You have two choices. Find a place to store your books on your own, travel alone to villages to heal, not knowing what dangers you face, or accept what I offer. A safe place for you and your books, a chance for you to continue healing.”

“With you always at my side.”

She made the prospect sound more horrible than the worst marriage. He should have stormed out but couldn’t, refusing to let her thoughtless words deter him. “I will be at your side on the ride to the villages and our return to the castle. If you prefer I not witness your treatments, I can always remain outside the huts and wait until you finish.”

“How is that fair to you?” She flapped her hands. “You deserve more.”

Indeed, he did and hoped to win her over with his endless patience and restraint. Given what she’d just said, Enrique sensed he was already making some progress. “I need your answer.”

She wrapped her arms around herself.

He wished he knew the words to convince her that with him nothing bad would happen, only good. Their growing bond, understanding rather than uncertainty, unparalleled love. A future at each other’s side, sons and daughters, a family.

He could only hope her indecision wouldn’t last so long they’d both be too old to have children.

She exhaled loudly, seeming to shrink with the loss of air. “Very well.”

His pulse ticked up. “Very well what?”

“I will move my books to your castle.”

He suppressed a grin, not wanting to appear too happy. “Will you move yourself with them?”

She lifted her face to the ceiling. “You may not like what you see when I heal others.”

“Will you promise to treat me if I swoon?”

Her laughter pealed through the space, capturing another piece of his heart. Her subsequent sigh threatened words that might wound him again.

“Do we leave now?” she asked.

Although Enrique wanted nothing more, he shook his head. “The guests might see us and wonder what we do. We best wait until everyone departs. During the delay, I can send for one of my carriages. You can use the transport to take your books to my estate.”

She looked at them longingly, almost as much as she had him.

“I assure you, your volumes will be safe.”

She searched his face and nodded finally. “I should tell Isabella my plans. If anyone asks about me, she can always say I left the convent to stay with her and Fernando. When friends visit, she can claim illness has kept me in bed or that I returned to the convent.”

“You have no reason for concern.” He’d never allow gossip to force her into a marriage she claimed not to want but also seemed drawn to. When he made her his, the moment would be because she couldn’t endure the thought of anything less. “I promise, no one will find out you and I are living together.”

She took her candle. “We should go back to our bedchambers before anyone misses us.”

“Dressed as you are? Tell me where your room is. After I bring your clothing, you can change down here, then leave.”

She bit her lip.

“I promise to be careful.”

“You had better. My chamber is on the second level, the last on the right with a large wardrobe. My gowns, kirtles—”

“I promise to bring one of each.” Enrique was well aware what women wore. He’d undressed enough of them. “Swear to stay here until I return.”

“How long will you be?”

With guests possibly milling about, who knew? “Please stay here.”

She hesitated then nodded.

After taking a candle, he considered kissing her farewell, but he didn’t want to press his good fortune. Swiftly, he crossed the passageway and climbed the steps to the hidden door. With his ear pressed against the wood, he listened for footfalls or voices but heard nothing more than his blood rushing in his ears.

His pulse hammered at the promise of being near Sancha from dawn to dusk, smelling her sweet fragrance, feeling her heat, drowning in her gentle smile that could turn wanton in a moment. He’d witnessed the transformation and longed to have her behave the same again, impetuous and unashamed.

He opened the door a crack. No one on the left. The right was also empty. After making certain he’d sealed the passage entrance, he put the candle in its holder, then rushed down this corridor to the next and reached the stairs in scant minutes.

Halfway up the flight, footfalls rang out behind him. “Enrique.”

Luscinda.

Poised to run, he nevertheless forced himself to face her.

She’d dressed in bright blue silk. The corners of her lush mouth turned up wantonly. “
Buenos días.
”

“Señorita.”

His cool greeting did nothing to diminish or extinguish her smile.

Not wanting to drag out the moment, he inclined his head. “Please excuse me.”

“Did you have a pleasant night?” She climbed the stairs, taking him in. “Did you sleep at all?”

He frowned at her intrusive questions.

“You seem tired.” She studied every part of him. “You haven’t changed your clothes from yesterday. Your doublet and robe are such a beautiful blue I decided to wear the same color today.” She laughed softly. “We match.”

Not in any way.

Before he could move from her, she was on the same step as his and rested her hand on his arm. “Accompany me to breakfast.”

“Your mamá can.” He pulled his arm away. “Please ask her, as I have no appetite.”

“Perhaps not, but during my repast you can tell me what you were doing at dawn. How strange to see you riding about in the shadows, holding on to what appeared to be a boy.”

Bile rose to his throat. “You surely saw another man. At dawn, I was in my chamber.”

“How curious. Is that where your clothes became so dusty?”

He glanced at the whitish streaks on his sleeves from the secret room.

She touched one quite daintily. “If you were in your bedchamber, why did you fail to answer my knock?”

He stared. “Why would you come to my door?”

“Why not?” She stroked his arm.

He backed away until the railing stopped him.

She blocked him from leaving, her hand trailing down the buttons on his doublet. “Who was the boy? Why were you with him instead of a woman? Unless he was a woman.” She tilted her head, studying him. “Tell me and I promise to keep your secret.”

“There is none.” He pushed her hand away.

She ignored the insult, her smile as shameless as ever. “Spend time with me today and I will make you forget everyone, man or—”

“Enough.” He brushed past and went down several steps before he faced her. “Stay away from me.”

Her smile finally faded into a ruthless glare. “Spurn me at your peril, Señor Don Enrique.”

He laughed. “Are you actually threatening me?”

“Advising. No man rejects Señorita Doña Luscinda.”

He’d been wrong about her. She, not her mamá, was the one to take care with. “Perhaps the time has come to meet the first man immune to your charms. Stay away. I warn you.”

He climbed the stairs two at a time, giving her no chance to retort. Luckily, guests who hadn’t drunk themselves senseless flowed down the staircase, greeting him and her, serving as a buffer and barrier. With so many about, he found it difficult to move more than a few feet before old friends and new acquaintances greeted him with a hearty good day, gaining his promise to visit their estates to hunt, fish, and discuss the political situation, including the Inquisition.

“Mark my words,” an outspoken young man said. “If the tribunal can confiscate merchant treasures, they will surely come for the nobility next.”

An older fellow scoffed, portly from too many years of fine food. “No one dares touch us.”

Enrique said little, barely following the converse before finding a chance to excuse himself. Upon reaching Sancha’s floor, he had to wait at the other end of the hall for two señoras to pass. They smiled sweetly at him. He offered a small bow in return. The moment their footfalls faded, he rushed to the chamber.