Page 6 of Beaux and Dragons

Padre appeared in the crowd wearing the gold tasseled jacket that matched his proud countenance. He lifted his cleft chin. “My daughter, are you ready?” He extended a hand. “I spared no expense, just for you.”

Orchestral music echoed between the high-ceiling wood panels and chandeliers. Ana slipped into the typical sway expected but couldn’t help twisting her neck to the door every so often.

“Your cousin will most likely not be arriving.” An apologetic tone marked his words. “But Señor Villareal and his son are here. We must assure you a good match, especially since Maria is a lost cause—she’ll accept no suitor who is not up to her exact standard—and Lucia has chosen the neighbor’s son.” The derision in his tone for Lucia’s husband struck an off-tune note in her heart.

Lucia’s husband had always been kind and treated her sister with the upmost respect and affection.

She snapped her head over to meet her father’s intent stare. “I thought you approved of Lucia’s match.”

“Of course, I did.” He drew closer to her ear. “She’s nineteen years old, and we couldn’t have another unwed sister becoming an old maid. What would that say about our good reputation?” He pulled away and cast his gaze about the clusters of people around the perimeter of the space where all the most esteemed guests had gathered to make room for the merriment.

Though her sentiment contrasted with Padre’s, she swallowed hard to keep the objection from offending him.

The song ended, and she let her gaze drift over the expectant faces of the fellows she must entertain with such close proximity. She gulped and lifted the corners of her mouth into what she hoped was a smile. The idea made the skin beneath her gloved hands crawl.

But then a commotion stirred at the entrance. Tall men with impeccable posture and matching navy-blue jackets poured into the ballroom. One of the fellows pushed to the front. He had shorn hair, a familiar face, and long limbs, but he no longer appeared lanky. Her Federico had returned.

Ana held her breath, unsure if she should forget her dignity and swallow him in a hug. Except that would disgrace her padre.

Padre cut in between Federico and Ana with a firm glare, pinning her to her spot on the marble floor. “What is that scoundrel doing here?”

“Should I speak to him?” Ana whispered.

“If you think you can get him out the door faster. We can talk dragon races in the stable tomorrow.”

Ana swallowed hard and nodded. This wouldn’t be the reunion she’d hoped for, but at least Federico had kept his promise.

Her friend approached, taking smooth and confident steps. The smile on his face stirred her heart in such a way that she couldn’t control the pitter-patter in her chest or the flush of heat shooting up her neck.

“I returned.” His voice had dropped an octave since the last time she’d seen him.

Ana peeked over her shoulder at Padre, whose face had gone red. The heart-fluttering tampered down to a slow thud, sinking into the depths of the sea like the vessels out fighting for Sandoval. She fixed her gaze again on Federico, who now stood but a hand’s breadth away.

“Will you not accompany me for a stroll in the garden?” A husky quality resounded in Federico’s speech.

She nodded and slipped her hand through the crook of his offered elbow, not bothering to check the faces of the other potential suitors who expected her attention. Federico deserved her explanation about how their relationship must change. The daydream about Federico becoming her betrothed could only be a far-fetched dream he had conjured because of their friendship. That was what Padre expected her to communicate.

Perhaps Federico’s sentiments had changed in the last year, which would make this whole business much easier.In fact, Federico might be more interested in learning about Celestia since she was the spawn of his first riding dragon.

The moment they stepped outside, a warm sea breeze blasted her face, chasing away her tumultuous thoughts. Torches encircled the terrace where meandering guests enjoyed the sparkling night sky. Federico didn’t stop guiding her through the open stone space until he found a corner along the perimeter which would give them privacy but protect her reputation.

He abruptly turned down to meet her gaze with no preamble or hidden emotion. “Oh, Ana. I’ve missed you so much. Your letters kept me from going mad in between battles. Since the day you found me at the back of the stable and offered your friendship when we were hip high, you’ve been the only one for me. Will you do me the honor of being my betrothed?” He pulled from his pocket a wooden box with a golden latch.

Ana flipped the lid open to find a diamond the size of her pinky nail winking back at her from the top of a gold band. She slipped the ring onto her finger to find it fit snugly, just like it had been made for her alone. Tears slid along her smiling cheeks. No longer did she have the impulse to sling mud at him as she had before, but to lean up onto her tiptoes and kiss the tiny mole in the curve onthe right side of his upper lip. She resisted the impulse and nodded her head. “I love you too, Federico Vega Perez.”

“Ana.” Padre’s stern voice cut through the moment. “Come with me.”

She shifted her feet to obey Padre but didn’t want to leave Federico’s side. The earnestness in his declaration summed up what had bloomed between them. He was no longer just the boy in the stable, but the most handsome man who was her companion, who understood her.

“Ana.” Padre nearly barked her name.

She nodded to Federico to try and reassure him that all would be well, though her insides shriveled at the prospect of explaining herself. Padre led the way into their home, and Ana followed.

Up in her bedroom, Maria and Lucia waited, cross-armed and serious. The chamber grew stifling in an instant with only two candles lit on a side table. Maria peered over Ana’s body until it landed on the diamond Federico had gifted her, and she gasped. Lucia bit on her bottom lip, which was always her nervous telltale gesture.

The ring on Ana’s finger grew heavier under their perusal. She covered the offending item with her other hand, but the damage had been done. Was there a way tomake them understand that Federico would be the best choice for her?

Padre closed her door. “For the sake of the family, you must return that trinket.”