The Jade Dragon by Nancy Buckingham Read Free Book Online Page A

stone balustrading and flights of shallow steps. Cool fountains splashed into pools, and exotic flowers gleamed richly against a backcloth of topiary hedges and cypress trees. Sweeping up on either side of the quinta grounds rose densely wooded hills that were tinted in a hundred subtle shades of green, softly leading one’s eye through the valley to a distant vista of the sunlit sea.
    Presently, a tray of food was brought to me by another manservant. But the appetite I had earlier felt so keenly had quite deserted me now. The chilled white wine was refreshing, but I picked at the platter of cold meats without interest, then pushed it aside, returning yet again to gaze out of the windows. The afternoon wore on, and as the sun moved across the sky, its rays caught the water cascading from the fountains, tinging it with all the sparkling colors of the rainbow.
    This time, the knock at the door was little more than a light fingertap on the wooden paneling.
    “Entre, “I called eagerly, yet with a quickening of my fears.
    The woman who came in, while not arresting, was endowed with a soft prettiness in every feature. Her warmly brunette hair was worn in a low chignon, with neat curls upon her brow. They framed an oval face, the skin a pale honey tint, the eyes a deep velvety brown. She was dressed in a simple, dove gray skirt and a white blouse with lace ruching. The total impression was of gentle femininity, but above everything I noticed her welcoming smile. It was the first real smile I had seen since my arrival at the Quinta dos Castanheiros.
    “Elinor, my dear. I regret not being here to greet you, but I have been out on some domestic business. So unnecessary— it could have waited until another day, but Carlota insisted that I go. I am sure it was deliberate, to have me out of the way when you arrived.” She spoke in a soft voice that matched her appearance, and slowly, choosing her English words with care.
    “You are ... Vicencia?” When she nodded, I hurried on, “Can you please tell me about my grandmother? How is she?”
    “Dona Amalia is recovering. The doctor has seen her and pronounced her to be out of immediate danger.”
    “Oh, I am so relieved. I was afraid—”
    She nodded sympathetically. “Yes, I heard about the upset. But you must not blame yourself, my dear Elinor. It is just one of her attacks.”
    “You mean she has had them before like that?” I asked in astonishment. “From what Tia Carlota said, I thought it was all my fault.”
    “How like Carlota. She would seize upon it as an opportunity to put you at a disadvantage. I am sorry to say, Elinor, that Carlota is not happy about your coming here.”
    “So I have gathered,” I said dryly. “But please tell me more about my grandmother’s illness. What exactly is the matter with her?”
    “As far as we can understand, Dona Amalia is wasting away from some organic malfunction. You would not believe that until two years ago she was a big woman, would you? She has these attacks occasionally, and we are used to them by now.”
    I felt greatly comforted to hear this. I also felt indignant that I had been made to suffer such anguish these past couple of hours. I smiled at Vicencia warmly. “Forgive me, but I’m afraid I do not know who you are—only your name. Are you a member of the family?”
    “Yes, Elinor, I am a Milaveira by marriage. But I am a widow now, and I suppose one might say that I live here at Castanheiros on sufferance. My husband was the son of your grandfather’s younger brother. In other words, he was your mother’s cousin. Poor Carlos died four years ago, and I am still permitted to call this my home. Alas, I have no other.”
    “But surely,” I protested, “you have every right to be here. As much right as anyone else.”
    She shook her head sadly. “I will tell you the whole unhappy story sometime, Elinor. Suffice it to say that my husband’s side of the family long ago gave up all claim to their share of