Chapter five The Dreaded Dinner
Chapter five
The Dreaded Dinner
Ana waited throughout the meal for Federico to acknowledge her presence but hoped he didn’t notice the puffiness beneath her eyes. As the evening dragged on, she finally got what she desired. It was a shame it transpired after Padre’s woefully misguided comment.
“If only Ana would make up her mind about Julian—he is a distant cousin set to inherit my fortune and that of my brother’s.” Padre chuckled as if he’d told some grand joke. “And you, Senor Vega, I presume are searching for a bride. Pray tell me what you hope to find.”
“I love when a lady knows her own mind.” Federico glanced over the long table, meeting Padre’s fake smile, Maria’s coolness, several other indifferent guests, and Lucia’s sister-in-law Natalia’s vibrant agreement until he landed on Ana.
Though the stare lasted for a few seconds, Ana squirmed in her polished chair as if the statement had been directed at her alone. Now, she had only to figure out a way to escape the crushing of her soul.
Lucia and her husband, Juan, whispered to their small children who wiggled in their chairs, breaking the tension of the moment.
Natalia giggled over her plate of tres leches cake topped with frosting and strawberries and plucked the red fruit, accentuating her delicate features.
“So true! I wouldn’t let myself be so easily manipulated by others.
” Lucia’s sister-in-law had turned sixteen and was available for betrothals.
She’d received at least one request from another neighbor, but Ana suspected she wouldn’t be persuaded by a large yearly income.
Federico’s dashing smile cocked up higher, brightening his brown eyes beneath the plethora of candlesticks.
Ana withered while watching the exchanges between Natalia and Federico.
Natalia’s slender figure and jubilant nature could entice any suitor to call.
And Natalia would have no idea about Ana’s history with Federico because her sisters had sworn to secrecy on the matter.
Ana bit the insides of her cheeks, resisting an internal groan. Couldn’t he sign the deed and live his life out of Ana’s view? Any more dinners like this and she might run off with Celestia and not return.
Celestia. Perhaps she’s in need of comfort or food. She was the only one in Lurin who could make her forget the troubles with the estate and even possibly her crushing loneliness.
The servants collected the dessert plates, allowing for an easy exit from the whole ordeal.
Padre stood. “How about a game in the parlor?”
The rest of the guests got to their feet in pleasant agreement.
However, Ana rushed to Padre’s side. “I should go check to see if Celestia has returned.”
“And take the children,” Lucia interjected. “They have been much too energetic all evening and are giving me quite the headache.”
“Indeed, they have.” Juan offered his elbow to his wife.
Lucia took her husband’s arm, and they both darted forward, leaving behind their two small children with their favorite aunt, Tía Ana. Ana mussed her nephews’ heads and feigned a genuine smile so as not to make them feel unwanted.
“Tía, Tía, can we ride on Celestia?” The two boys hopped with enthusiasm by Ana’s side.
Padre dipped his head in agreement though he lifted a reproachful eyebrow.
“I’d love to join you as well.” Natalia slipped her hands into her nephews’ small ones and swung their arms front and back.
“I’d love to accompany the ladies as it is getting dark.” Federico winked at Natalia, who blushed at his attention.
Ana swallowed hard. Now she had to skip her trek to visit Celestia and walk to the empty stables with Federico too. She couldn’t blame Natalia for her clear interest in Federico, but why did he have to act flirtatious?
The boys bolted out the door and hit the stone walkway running, leaving Natalia and Federico side by side. Ana trudged a couple of steps behind the pair.
“What plans have you for this year?” Natalia’s smooth voice dripped with coquetry that had Ana gagging.
Federico walked several paces more before answering. “I suppose I want to build up a racing team of dragons.”
“From here?” Natalia peeked back at Ana. “I mean no offense, but this isn’t exactly close to the races.”
“Why not?” He kept his head steady, giving Ana a perfect view of the two strands of wayward hair at his cowlick that he still hadn’t outgrown.
Natalia said, “You do know that Celestia flew off today, so she does not come with the estate?”
“I heard.” The chastisement in Federico’s tone burned a hole through Ana’s chest. “If Celestia returns, I plan to buy her.”
Ana felt her cheeks boil with a surge of anger. “She’s not for sale.”
Natalia and Federico spun their attention toward her as if her presence was an unwelcome oddity.
A piercing scream rang through the night.
Ana recognized her nephew’s painful wail and sprinted forward in earnest. When she arrived at the stable a split second before Federico, she found Carlitos prostrate on the ground with Cristian at his side, gnawing on his bottom lip.
The swinging rope and stacked crates stood beside the boys as evidence of what had transpired.
“Where does it hurt?” Ana hunched beside the boy, ready to scoop him up.
Carlitos whimpered, “My shoulder.”
Before Ana could spring into action, Federico scooped the boy into his arms, careful of the limp appendage. The entire party raced into the house and up the stairs where Ana led them to an empty guest suite.
“I’ll go get Juan and Lucia.” Natalia took Cristian’s little hand and raced away on her mission, leaving Federico alone with Ana.
The minutes that passed with Carlitos groaning in bed stretched for what could have been hours.
Federico opened his mouth but snapped it shut.
Ana pretended not to notice, still sitting on the bed beside her nephew.
Federico leaned in to touch the boy’s shoulder and grazed Ana’s arm.
Heart palpitations enveloped her chest like a baby dragon learning to fly.
“What happened?” Lucia’s voice came out breathless. “Is he bleeding?”
Federico responded to Ana’s sister. “His shoulder is out of place. Will you adjust him or shall I?”
Lucia’s complexion blanched, noticeable in the candlelight. “You do it. I’ll be outside the bedroom.”
Ana sidled up to the young boy and clasped his good arm to give him some comfort as Federico did quick work of resetting his shoulder. The whole ordeal left Ana and Federico comforting the child until he drifted to sleep.
Federico finally met Ana’s eye. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
He opened his mouth, but Lucia entered the room.
“Good.” Lucia sighed. “Did all go well?” she whispered.
“Yes.” Federico peeled his gaze from Ana to Lucia. “He’ll be sore, but his shoulder is back in place.”
“Well, then. I’ll rejoin the party,” Lucia stated.
“But your son?” Ana reached for her sister who had already breeched the doorway.
“We’ll check on him in a little while.” Lucia continued out of the passage.
Federico followed after Lucia, which was good and proper for a lady and a man, but the words that lingered between the two burned in Ana’s mind.
Ana stopped at the doorway and called to Federico.
He stopped at the stairwell and watched her as if waiting for something particular.
She had so much to share, but why should he care?
She’d lost her good standing with her friend years ago when she’d rejected him through a measly letter.
How she wished to take back all the scrawled letters on the parchment Maria and Padre had sent for her.
Instead of using this chance alone to apologize, she said, “I did keep my promise. Celestia is in safe keeping.”
He shifted his jaw. “Are you leaving with your padre to Lourdes City?”
She nodded.
“How will you keep your promise then?” He fled.
And just like that, Ana’s blood boiled with a fresh new mission, tinged with so much curiosity.
Padre must be desperate if he easily agreed to sell the estate to someone he considered so unworthy as Federico.
Yet, Federico was able to purchase the estate and even talked of starting a dragon racing team.
A glimmer of hope sparked in her chest. Padre might accept a match with her old friend now, but Federico would never accept her after all that had transpired.
She must prove to Federico that she would care for Celestia no matter the inconvenience.