Beverly Jenkins by Destiny's Surrender Read Free Book Online Page B

their property corroborated what was written on their titles, even though many of the original boundaries were hand drawn. Such families were now being forced to hire surveyors in addition to lawyers and translators, which added to the families’ frustration and his.
    In his mind the original edicts of the 1848 Hidalgo treaty should be the only legalities applied. And in dreams, Queen Calafia could really fly.
    He pushed back from the desk, stretched out the knots in his shoulder and spine and walked over to the windows that faced the city. Thoughts of the queen made him remember his childhood obsession. He wondered if the lovely Rosaline knew of the mighty Amazon warrior and her brave exploits. If her mother raised her as rigidly as he imagined, the answer was probably no. Would such a sheltered young woman enjoy having the stories read to her? Billie loved them. He stilled for a moment as Billie’s laughing face filled his mind, bringing with it a familiar warm affection. Where are you, Mina? he mentally queried while surveying the people and carriages traveling on the walks and streets below. Had she found a protector? Had she left the city willingly? Was she safe? The not knowing rose to plague him once more. In truth, with a potential courtship on the horizon, her disappearance couldn’t have occurred at a more opportune time, but still, he’d feel better if he had answers to his questions.
    By the middle of March, Drew earned the approval from Senora Ruiz to take Rosaline walking. Her great-aunt had to accompany them, but he didn’t mind because the small boon was such a relief after being forced to sit in the parlor day after day trying to make conversation out of small talk. Traditionally, the duenna trailed the courting couple a few paces behind, but as he assisted the older woman down from his carriage she smiled and said, “Although I depend on Rosaline’s mother for a roof over my head and food to eat, I remember how it felt to be young. You have my blessings to go on ahead.”
    That earned her a grateful kiss on the cheek from Rosaline and a bow of thanks from Drew. As they walked down a path in a park not too far from the Ruiz home, she trailed them but left enough distance to allow Drew and Rosaline to have a personal conversation.
    “My apologies for all the hoops my mother has made you jump through.”
    “None needed. A prize worth having is rarely earned without challenges.”
    “You look upon me as a prize?”
    “I do.”
    “That’s sweet,” she said. “You are very handsome, Drew.”
    “And you are very beautiful.”
    She lowered her eyes as if embarrassed.
    “Don’t tell me this is the first time you’ve heard that.”
    “It isn’t but you sound so sincere.”
    “And I am.”
    They passed a group of young mothers sitting on a bench while their young children played in the grass nearby. Drew nodded a greeting. They smiled as he, Rosaline and the duenna passed by.
    “Do you think your mother will approve of me?” Rosaline asked him.
    “I do.”
    “My mother says she’s not a woman to emulate.”
    His distaste for Senora Ruiz rose again. “And why is that?”
    “She said she caused a scandal when she was young and then refused to remarry after her husband died, but my sister Annaline caused quite a scandal, too, as I’m sure you’ve heard.”
    “I’ve heard a bit.”
    “Mama told her she’d rot in hell if she chose a man she didn’t approve of, but Anna replied that being under Mama’s roof was a hell all its own. Mama didn’t like that.”
    “Is it true you helped your sister run away?”
    She wouldn’t look at him, so he sought to reassure her. “I won’t think badly of you if the answer is yes, Rosa.”
    “I pretended to be ill so that Mama would have to sleep in my room that night. When we awakened the next morning, Anna was gone. Mama guessed I’d lied.”
    “Was she angry at you?”
    “Oh yes. I received ten lashes across my bare back and made to recite two