17. Chapter 17
Chapter seventeen
Getting Away
Dinner the following night proved to be the perfect occasion for Ana to make her move.
Padre dined at the head of the polished table with all his daughters, Julian, the head minister of the dragon races, and a few other esteemed guests.
The gentle candlelight proved deceivingly calm for the tumult rumbling within Ana’s soul.
“I just received a letter from Juan.” Lucia’s voice came out as a chirp. “Natalia is much improved, and they’ve already started traveling back home.”
Ana exhaled with relief. “I am happy to hear the news. The whole incident was so dreadful.”
Lucia bobbed her head in ardent agreement. “I have the best husband and only hope you have one who cares for his family as Juan has for me and his sister.”
Padre’s silverware clinked against his plate, and he lifted his wine glass. “I hope to make Julian an official son very soon.” He stretched a smile over his lips at his guests and placed a meaningful stare on Ana.
Sweat trickled down Ana’s hairline from such a declaration, and Padre had said it to an entire set of outsiders.
She’d hoped to get such an opportunity in the conversation to make her request to travel to Peris though it still made her stomach squirm.
“Yes, Padre, since you mention future plans, I would be delighted to take a trip to Peris with Lucia.”
Lucia coughed, a guttural sound gurgling in her throat. Maria, who sat beside her, paused mid-chew with disdain for Lucia painted on the arch of her brow. Though all three were sisters, Maria couldn’t abide Lucia’s boisterous manners.
“Whatever for?” Padre’s eyebrows furrowed with a hint of skepticism trailing the lines of his face.
Ana’s heart palpitated all the wilder, but she cut into a piece of meat with a firm resolve to get away. “Doesn’t Peris have all the latest fashions? And I know how Lucia has been in need of a holiday.”
“Oh yes, Padre,” Luicia nodded ardently. “I daresay, my sister has a keen sense for the state of my health.”
Padre placed his knife and fork to the side of his meal. “Am I to assume that I will be forced to arrange the plans for such an excursion?” The annoyance in his voice suggested he was holding back his true sentiments.
Ana pressed the corners of her lips down in a vigorous attempt to hide her glee at him having to agree to such a trip.
Perhaps if he hadn’t insisted on inviting esteemed guests to his estate each week and wasn’t so keen on showing off how well to do he was, then he could have said no to Ana’s request. But such is life when appearances must be kept for the sake of the family name.
The wife of the minister of the races said, “Peris during the races is simply a must. All the latest fashion is released, and so many esteemed guests book inns along the west coast to view the competition.”
“Oh yes! We must go.” Lucia nearly bounded out of her seat at such a statement but covered her reaction by reaching for a drink.
“Don’t worry, Padre,” Ana patted Padre’s sleeve to calm the obvious agitation trembling in his movements. The state of their finances was not well known to the present company. “I can see to all the arrangements—”
“Nonsense,” Julian cut in. “I can—”
In a panic, Ana added, “And our old governess lives in Peris. I’m sure Lucia longs to visit her as well.”
Maria snorted at such a statement, knowing full well how their old governess had rapped their knuckles any chance she could.
Lucia’s bottom lip dropped as if she meant to object to Ana’s assertion of her wanting to visit Governess Paloma.
“To our trip to Peris.” Ana lifted a glass for a toast.
The other guests joined in while Padre, Julian, and Lucia took a beat longer than the rest to lift their cups.
“To Peris.”