Stronger Than Passion by Sharron Gayle Beach Read Free Book Online Page B

consisting of six gradually lengthening ropes, two cuff bracelets, earrings and a headdress that was wound up in her dark hair, and took the place of the traditional high comb and mantilla. The pearls were worth a fortune and had once belonged to a Moorish princess. She had adorned herself with them tonight to please her father-in-law; and to enliven her simple lavender silk gown, which was the newest evening dress she possessed, but not very grand. This impromptu fiesta had caught her unprepared; it was fortunate she had recourse to magnificent jewelry.
    “As you say - perhaps.” Luis grinned down at her. “I’ll take you back inside now, if you will permit me to make one last statement.”
    At her amused and wary nod, he said softly, “I want you to enjoy yourself tonight and break as many hearts as you wish, including Santa Anna’s. But please be considerate of mine. It is yours, you know, and has been for years.”
    “Oh, come, Luis.”
    “Let’s not argue now, we can do that later in the evening when you are in more of a mood to listen to me. And you will listen.”
    “Will I?”
    “Oh, yes! I have important things to say to you, things which should have been said two years ago. They will amuse you, if nothing else.”
    “We’ll see, I suppose,” she murmured. Had Don Ignacio been correct? Did Luis intend to propose marriage?
    They had no further talk for the time being. As soon as they reentered the main Sala, which was converted into a ballroom, they emerged into a noisy crowd determined to divide them.
    Someone handed Christina a glass of iced champagne and she sipped it gratefully, responding to various introductions and re-introductions and wondering where she could find her host - and hostess, of course.
    Then a man bowed before her whom she recognized with faint dislike. Colonel Angel Manzanal; Santa Anna’s aide, and his posturing ape in everything, including an amorous interest in her. She had been forced to rebuff the colonel on two prior occasions when his attentions had become annoying.
    “The General has sent me to find you, Señora. He languishes for your company.”
    In this throng? She doubted it. But all she said was, “Then perhaps you should take me to him, Señor.”
    She excused herself from the nearest guests. The Colonel took her arm, which was disturbing enough; but as they made their way towards the rear of the Sala, Manzanal’s black eyes persisted in glancing down at her, while he paid her thoroughly outrageous compliments. Really, she would have to speak to Santa Anna about him.
    They reached the outskirts of a select grouping of more distinguished company, and Christina knew that Santa Anna sat at its heart. She bowed to several rich hacendadoes, a few wealthy merchants and industrialists, a former President and several others whom she believed were members of Congress. She passed through a knot of uniformed minor generals, all talking furiously. Finally she reached Santa Anna - seated, due to the loss of one of his legs in battle, on a throne-like chair nestled in a setting of potted palms and other assorted greenery.
    He caught sight of her and broke off his conversation with a man who wasn’t in the least familiar.
    “Christina!”
    He rose laboriously, his wooden leg keeping him erect as he stood and extended his hands. “My dear cousin, welcome to El Encero! Gentlemen, this is my cousin the Señora de Sainz, who has neglected to visit me since my return, until tonight.”
    Santa Anna’s normally melancholy countenance now exuded gallantry and roguish charm. Christina curtsied, and then extended her own gloved hands, which he took and kissed, one after the other.
    “How terrible you are, my dear, to deprive me of your lovely self until now.”
    “Am I to understand that you have been unoccupied this last week?”
    “I am never too busy for my favorite cousin. And I expect you to visit me again, soon, before I leave for the capital, so that I may speak with you in