Page 20 of Beaux and Dragons

“I—I should have—”

“Señor Vega, we should discuss the travel plans with such a head wound.” Juan’s voice quavered in a way that left no doubt about Natalia being in a delicate position.

Federico followed Juan several paces up the passage. “What do you mean by travel plans?”

Juan pitched his voice so low that Ana strained to hear from within the doorframe. “You told us beforehand how you had important plans, and Mister Montenegro insisted that Ana make it within a fortnight. I’m afraid the trip north would be too taxing for Natalia. I’ll make sure to send correspondence.”

Federico pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can’t leave Natalia when it was my fault for not catching her.”

“Stay if your intentions are…” Juan worked his jaw as if deciding what words to say next. “I sense that you are kind to my dear sister but don’t reciprocate her feelings.”

The Adam’s apple in Federico’s neck bobbed, and he lowered his voice to a whisper.

Ana couldn’t hear any more of the conversation, and she chastised herself for losing the opportunity to apologize for her thoughtless speech.

Chapter twelve

Padre

Acoin bag rubbed at Ana’s side the entire lonely ride in the carriage with only Lucia and Julian. It proved long and uncomfortable since all their minds turned toward Natalia at every bend in conversation. A pang of guilt wracked Ana’s heart for her secret pleasure innothaving to feign interest in making Julian a suitor, but she pinched herself at such a foul thought. Natalia could be severely injured. She never would have left if Juan hadn’t been so insistent on her, Lucia, and Julian to continue the journey.

Finally, more houses filled the view outside the doors and people strolled through the narrow roads. Ana would have to face Padre and her oldest sister soon, which sent fearquavering through her insides. She’d never rebelled against Padre’s wishes on purpose. He would never agree to the races, but she didn’t have to tell him all of her plans. She simply would express her refusal to accept Julian as her suitor.

When the carriage rolled up to a row of nicely situated white houses along the coast, Julian declared, “We’ve arrived.”

The full-mustached coachman Julian had hired all the way back in Quenepas removed the trunk and luggage from the back of the coach. Ana exited first, trying to keep her coin purse from being seen or heard. A warm breeze shuffled her already wayward hairs from the long ride. She accepted Julian’s arm and let him lead her to a wooden door with a bronze knocker.

A balding butler answered the door, which inspired calculations to stream through Ana’s mind. How much money had Padre already spent while she took the long trip through the countryside?

“Ana and … Is this, dare I say, Julian?” Padre’s familiar address was purposely done to show his future hopes for Ana. The notion solidified when he waggled his eyebrows at seeing Ana’s hand gently wrapped around Julian’s bicep—she definitely shouldn’t have arrived with Julian in such a manner.

“Excuse me.” The coachman pushed in between Julian and Ana, carrying two bulging suitcases.

The rude interruption produced grimaces all around, but Ana smothered a smile at having to let go of his arm. Now she would have to take on the beastly duty of discouraging both Julian and Padre about this match.

The trunk and luggage lay on a polished marble floor between walls with paintings and intricate molding. Though the house was downgraded from the mansion where she had grown up, this was not such a sacrifice for Padre’s way of living.

“There’s a ball tonight at Señor Acosta’s ballroom.” Padre grinned a bit too wide. “We’re all invited.”

Ana couldn’t help but let her gaze drift as she could not meet Padre’s eye. “I have a small matter to attend to but should be able to make it.” The furrowed eyebrows around her brightened her spirit. No one guessed at her errand.

“But you just arrived,” Padre got to her side, dropping his voice to only be heard by her. “Julian makes a fine match. Don’t ruin this for the family.”

The lump inside of Ana’s throat grew too large to swallow. She nodded, understanding why Padre wantedher to marry well in order to maintain his good name and finances. But she steeled her resolve to rectify the issue with the finances by dragon racing and would worry about the good name later.

“I’ll be back in time to get ready for the ball.” Ana breeched the gap between her and Julian, knowing what she must do to pacify Padre. “I do hope you can attend the ball with us.”

Julian tipped his head with an easy smile spreading in place. “Only if I have the honor of the first two dances.”

Ana nodded as expected. “Of course.” She curtsied, chastising herself under her breath for not refusing Julian, and fled the apartment back to the rented carriage to catch a ride before the driver picked up new constituents. Thank the Lord no one had noticed the clinking from her coin purse at her waist. She stopped at the driver’s seat, looking up at the stout older fellow. “Could you take me to the Racing House?”

The man’s bushy eyebrows furrowed, but he said, “Yes, señorita.”

Chapter thirteen

The Mystery Racer

The grand atrium of the Racing House bustled with men placing bets at small windows and lines of racers in uniforms entering into the Santolaria Race, the biggest event in The United Isles of Sandoval.