Chapter 17
Remus
For the past two hours, she's been giggling and dancing with Rogelio Murrieta and I've been abandoned to dodge all the headstrong mothers of Orlencian high society attempting to pawn off their unwed daughters.
I should be elated my plan is working. Ines has completely captivated the Murrieta heir, putting us one step closer to gaining insight in Severo's inner workings before the Soberano’s jubilee, but instead, I have an inexplicable urge to push Rogelio into the canal and watch him sink to the bottom.
I tug my fingers through my hair and mumble obscenities under my breath. What is wrong with me? I should not be obsessing over a woman I cannot and should not have. She was hired to do a job and she's doing it. End of story.
So, why do I want to tear her out of his arms and keep her all to myself?
"Oh, Don Rafael!" A familiar sing-song voice calls out from across the courtyard, stealing me from my jealous thoughts and causing my balls to shrivel up.
Sure enough, charging my direction like a determined bull set loose in the streets of Orlencia, Dona Flores stampedes toward me, dragging one of her daughters in tow.
Any contemplation of escape is futile because Dona Flores is nothing short of tenacious.
If I were in need of a wife, she would have worn me down and gotten her way ages ago.
The last two seasons, she has offered up an eligible daughter as a potential bride and each time I've skirted by without offending her.
This year, I fear she won't accept a polite no for an answer.
I will a smile to my face, wearing Don Rafael's charm like armor.
"Dona Flores, how lovely to see you. Red certainly suits you.
" Red, in fact, does not suit her. She bears a striking resemblance to a ripe tomato, but Ines in red is an image that will visit me when I sleep.
She wears red and personifies fire itself.
"The pleasure is mine as always, Don Rafael," she huffs, finally making it to my side. "Have you met my third born daughter yet?"
"I'm afraid I haven't."
Dona Flores shoves her daughter in front of me. "Allow me to introduce my daughter, Lucinda. She is quieter than her two older sisters – who are now happily married, as you well know – but I dare say, she is a far better cook and can play the violin spectacularly."
I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. "A very accomplished woman. You will make a fine wife one day, Senorita Lucinda."
She blushes but it fails to mask how intimidated she appears to be. She's overwhelmed and overstimulated; a feeling I am all too familiar with. Every season, her mother parades her of-age daughters around like prized cattle for auction.
If I was a decent man, I would marry this girl if for nothing more than to rescue her from her mother's clutches and spare her a season of humiliation. But sadly, I'm not a decent man and the poor unfortunate Lucinda will be subjected to a season of misery.
"Lucinda also loves to dance." Dona Flores spears onward in pitching the third-born of her six daughters. "Not as passionately as Senorita Lozano, but I do believe you would find Lucinda to be an amiable partner."
I can almost taste the poison seeping from her lips and resist the urge to remind her of her place. Instead, I offer a sympathetic glance Lucinda's way. "I am sure you are a wonderful dancing partner, Senorita – "
"Oh, you simply must dance with her Don Rafael!" The Dona elbows me in the ribs and wiggles her eyebrows. "You know what they say about dancing."
Denying the Dona's request would bring me immeasurable joy, especially with her crude innuendo, but watching the life fade from doe-eyed Lucinda makes me pause.
One dance with her could have the same effect for her that it did for Ines and Rogelio.
The dancing wouldn't be near the same in passion, but for Lucinda it would show other eligible bachelors she is desirable and could lead to a potential match.
Damnit. Maybe I have a heart after all.
I iron the frown from my face and grin, offering Lucinda my arm. "Would you honor me with a dance?"
Instantly, her face brightens and for the first time all night, she smiles. "It would be my pleasure, Don Rafael."
Arm-in-arm, I escort her to the dance floor and join other couples in the bolero.
It's slower and not as attention-seeking as the paso doble, which I think suits Lucinda just fine.
The music flares and each couple moves, performing in unison the popular routine.
As Dona Flores promised, her daughter is an amiable partner, knowing all the steps and moving with grace and elegance.
"You must forgive my mother, Don Rafael," she says softly as we sway to the music. "She is pushy, but I do believe she means well."
"There is no need to apologize. I took no offense," I reassure her and enjoy watching the tension in her shoulders release.
"Thank you for your kindness despite my mother pressuring you into dancing with me."
I shake my head and gently squeeze her hand.
"If I did not want to dance, I would have denied her request. Listen," I lean closer and say softly so others will not overhear, "You are a beautiful and accomplished young woman.
I meant what I said earlier about you making a fine wife one day.
I might not be in the market for a bride, but I assure you, when our dance is over, you'll be occupied the rest of the evening. "
She slides her eyes up to meet mine. "How can you be so sure?"
Sensing I'm being watched, I glance across the courtyard and am surprised Ines is eyeing me as Rogelio whispers sweet nothings in her ear.
"Trust me," I say, though my gaze is still pinned on Ines.
The yearning stirring in the pit of my stomach washes away the second she narrows her green eyes and looks away. She smiles at Rogelio and giggles at something he's said. Even though I know it's all part of the act, I hate that I desire for her to look at me in the same light.
When the music ends, I have just enough time to bow, kiss Lucinda's hand, and thank her for the dance before a man closer to her age appears and asks for the next dance. I take my leave, retreating to the sidelines and snatch an appetizer from a passing tray.
During the next dance, I observe Lucinda laughing with her new partner and can't help but feel proud of my one, merciful deed.
"Tread carefully, Don Rafael. Soon all the mothers in Orlencia will hear of your matchmaking abilities and ask you to dance with their daughters." Dona Otero slips up next to me, rooting her cane in front of her for balance.
I click my teeth. "Soon the novelty will wear off and everyone will catch on to what I'm doing. All clout I have will fizzle." I smirk down at her, but she doesn't seem amused. "You throw a wonderful party, Dona."
"Thank you, but I'm afraid all anyone will be talking about is your riveting paso doble."
I groan, detecting her disapproval, and roll my eyes. "What did you expect me to do? Let the Murrietas leave?"
She glares at me, not backing down an inch. "Does it kill you to see her with him?"
Her question rattles me, but I shake my head, a frown quickly taking the place of my mirth. "No. Why would you – "
"Because you bear the face of a jealous lover," she points an accusatory finger my way before gripping her cane.
"You've been reading those racy novels of yours again, I see," I attempt to infuse some humor to combat the tension, but it does me no good.
"Remember who you are and what we are here to do," she says gently, returning to her hostess role.
"I assure you, Dona, I do not need reminding."
"Hmph." She taps her cane against the floor as she begins to walk away. "We will see."
She waves, greeting a group of older women before leaving me to my thoughts.
The party will end soon and as I typically do, I'll leave before anyone notices.
I permit myself one last glance at Ines who is dancing with a grinning Rogelio.
I can't help but wonder if while she's dancing with him, she's thinking of me – of my hands skimming across her soft skin and my lips grazing hers.
If what Otero and the rest of the aristocrats believe is true of dancing being insight into how your partner moves behind closed doors, then I'll be hypnotized by her until the day I draw my last breath.
As if Ines can sense my wicked, greedy thoughts, she flicks her eyes up and meets my unrelenting, unapologetic gaze. I tip my head, a silent goodbye, and slip out of the house and into my awaiting carriage.
The trek to Don Rafael's house in the Golden District gives me enough time to torture myself with thoughts of Ines.
There's something about her that makes me question everything I've ever wanted in life.
She's ruthless and snarky and is quick to anger, not at all a woman of high society, and yet I admire every single one of her flaws.
Possibly more than the lightness in her.
Maybe it's because I haven't been given the luxury or opportunity to cultivate goodness in myself, I'm forced to live a duplicitous life and here, she is too.
We juggle two different worlds and she's taken to the role better than I could have ever expected.
Perhaps I'm little more than a fool for seeing the beauty in her darkness and hoping she could one day appreciate me for mine.
I wasn't naive to believe I'd be able to weasel my way into Severo's good graces or inner circle.
If I could have, I would have. But we have been at odds ever since I've risen in rank and earned the Soberano's favor.
It was easier than one would think to please the illegitimate ruler.
He loves praise and worship; adoration of any kind is the ticket to a seat at his table.
Throw in my ability to throw a damn good festival in the Night and Entertainment Districts and I was ushered into the fold.