Authors: Sandra Lea Rice
With trepidation, Angeline prepared for the advent of
Nochebuena.
To keep from dwelling on Malcolm’s expected arrival, she busied herself with little inconsequential tasks. She wanted the waiting over. Although she knew no one would allow him to take her, Malcolm was both unstable and unpredictable, and she worried for everyone’s safety.
The bags of candy and toys were delivered to the children living near the Cordova and Montenegro estates. Rafael consulted with the
vaqueros
as each man returned, but none reported seeing Malcolm.
As an enormous celebratory meal was prepared, the house filled with the aroma of lamb, suckling pig, and roast duck. Large pots simmered with a variety of vegetables and turron.
Marzipan
, desserts made of honey, egg and almonds, baked in the ovens. Rich almond cookies,
polvorones
, and a variety of nuts and dried fruits would be served as an additional treat.
When evening came, the men gathered to enjoy a drink while they waited for the women to join them. Edward had chosen a chair nearest a small table in the corner where he could enjoy his tea and observe the others as he so loved to do.
He’d grown quite fond of everyone here, almost as if they were his family. They’d included him in the festivities and made him feel a part of things. For as long as he could remember, he’d spent the holidays at the boarding house. The food was always prepared quite well and he was comfortable there. The fact the holidays hadn’t included family had not really occurred to him, until now.
Edward relaxed and sipped his honey-sweetened tea as he surveyed the room. He was surprised to find his position also allowed him to hear much of what was said. Though not his intent, he quietly listened.
Frank sat in a chair near the large doors, peering out onto the courtyard. Rafael approached and offered Frank a snifter of brandy. “You watch for Malcolm?”
Frank accepted the drink. “Yeah, can’t be none too careful.”
“No, we cannot. We have posted men around the hacienda and at different points along the road leading from town. I do not think he will come quietly though, fool that he is.”
“I’ll be happy to see an end to this,
Don
Rafael.”
“As will I,
Señor
Frank. I do not have a good feeling about this. We both know it can end only one way.”
“I don’t like it, either, but some things we just can’t change. Only thing is, it can’t be Adrian that ends it.” Frank met Rafael’s gaze.
“It will not be.”
Edward took a fortifying gulp of his tea. Although it was past time for Malcolm to pay for his crimes, as a man accustomed to considering the law, he was startled to find that, like Frank, he wanted to see this ended.
At the sound of women’s laughter, Edward enjoyed the sight of Angeline, Penelope and Shirley swirling into the room, resplendent in their Christmas finery. Such delightful women.
Frank sauntered to Shirley’s side and accepted her outstretched hand. Cheeks pink with excitement, she smiled at him. Gone was the apron and cap. Instead, she wore a light blue wool dress that matched the color of her eyes. Her blond hair was rolled neatly at the back of her head.
Frank lifted her hand and kissed the back in a courtly gesture. “You remind me of the Texas bluebells, Shirley girl. I’m a lucky man.”
“I’m the lucky one, Frank Bates, and don’t I know it.” Shirley squeezed his hand.
Edward withdrew his handkerchief, blew his nose, and sighed. As he drank his tea, he looked over the rim of his cup to see Michael fix his gaze on Penelope.
How interesting
. She was a pretty little thing.
Her dress of pale yellow clung softly to her slender frame. Ruffles of deep gold decorated the scooped neckline and the end of the long, narrow sleeves. A riot of red curls piled on top of her head and her green eyes sparkled with excitement. Edward noticed her face light as Michael approached.
Michael bowed over Penelope’s hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed the back. “You’re beautiful,” he offered, his gaze moving over her face. “Walk with me?” Penelope inclined her head, her eyes aglow.
Edward’s lower lip trembled. He was, after all, a romantic at heart.
Adrian’s gaze locked on Angeline. Her black hair hung in a long braid down her back. Woven into the plait was a ribbon of silver thread. The silver filigree necklace Philippe had given her hung around her neck. He had to admit, the gift was perfect for her. The deep gray dress hugged her bodice in a collection of delicately fashioned silver roses, then fell in soft pleats to allow for her slightly rounded belly.
He leaned close to whisper in her ear. “You take my breath away.” Kissing first one hand and then the other, he breathed in the scent of roses that clung to her skin and hair.
Adrian quietly greeted Esteban, who escorted his mother. Maria, dressed in black, wore a shawl of fine Spanish lace. A design of red poinsettias, intricately woven into the wrap, added a touch of the holiday season. Her long, braided hair, held in place with a large silver comb, wrapped around her head like a crown, giving her an air of elegance and grace.
Philippe entered in their wake, spotted Adrian and Angeline and headed toward them.
“Good evening, Lord Adrian.” Philippe’s gaze dropped to the necklace at Angeline’s throat. “You are very beautiful this evening,
niña
, as always.” He surveyed the room. “There will be much excitement this
Nochebuena
. We will light the candles on the tree to allow the Three Kings to find their way, and all over town children will go to sleep thinking of Papa Noël.”
He spoke gently to Angeline. “What would you wish for, Angelina?”
Without hesitation, she answered, “I wish for only one thing, Philippe. I wish this nightmare with Malcolm would end, and all those I love would be safe.”
“It will end soon. This I do promise.”
“And the rest of my wish, will all those I love be safe?” Angeline forced him to meet her gaze.
The others in the room had stopped to listen. Adrian’s eyes narrowed as he, too, waited for an answer. There was no doubt she had included Philippe in those she loved.
Philippe placed his hands on her shoulders. “I would deny you nothing in my power to give, Angelina. I pray I can give you this as well.” As if suddenly remembering where they were, he released her shoulders and stepped back. “We shall all try to give her this wish, is that not so?”
A chorus of reassurances rose from the men. Unable to speak, Angeline simply nodded. As her gaze moved from man to man, it stopped on Edward Thornby, who had stepped forward to include his support. “Oh my,” she whispered, and, leaning forward, kissed his cheek.
Edward blushed profusely.
“Then we are all agreed. Now, who will help light the candles on the tree?” Maria sent an encompassing glance around the room. “We shall first light one candle and use it to light the next, and so on until we are all holding a lit candle. This is to keep us together. Then, we shall all light the tree.”
Adrian, wishing to further reassure her, leaned down to whisper in Angeline’s ear. “Trust us, sweetheart. We are ready.”
As the matriarch of the family, Maria lit her candle first, then reached to light the one Rafael held. Once each person’s candle was aglow, they lit the candles on the tree.
“How beautiful the tree is. I just knew it would be.” Penelope clasped her hands to her chest, her eyes wide as she stared at the glowing evergreen.
Adrian chuckled and tweaked her nose. “Pen, I’d forgotten what it was like to spend a holiday with you. I’ve missed it.”
Angeline gasped in pleasured surprise as Adrian led her into dinner. Narrow evergreen boughs decorated the middle of the long table. Candles, along with bowls of dried fruit and nuts, were scattered throughout the greenery, interspersed with red satin bows. A red damask tablecloth made a perfect setting for the white plates.
“This is lovely,” Angeline stated as Adrian seated her.
Maria smiled kindly. “I am happy it pleases you,
niña
.”
Adrian sat beside Angeline. “How is
Don
Fernando?” he asked
Dona
Maria.
“He tires easily and grows weaker by the hour. He is in more pain than he cares to show but he has decided he will have this Christmas with his family,” Maria answered, not fully meeting his gaze.
Adrian surmised it was difficult for her, knowing she had been an unwitting bystander to her husband’s scheme. He turned his attention to dinner and Angeline.
Throughout the feast, Rafael and Esteban entertained the others with tales from their childhoods. They recalled times when, with Philippe’s help, they’d teased Franchesca and played tricks on the household staff. They’d been typical boys, full of mischief.
Maria laughed and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “Now that I know you were responsible for all of that, I shall have to think of a way for you
niños
to redeem yourselves.” She raised a brow and tapped a finger against her chin. “Hmm, it has been quite some time since I have attended
La Misa Del
Gallo.
I would think that a suitable way.” Rafael, Esteban, and Philippe groaned in unison.
Maria looked pleased. “It is settled then. Would anyone else care to join us?” she inquired of the others.
“I’m not Catholic, but I would like to attend,” Penelope responded.
“I’ll attend too, if it’s allowed.” Michael clasped Penelope’s hand.
“Of course you may.” Maria glanced at Jeffrey.
Jeffrey accepted the invitation with an inclination of his head. “It has been a long time, but I would enjoy going.”
“Shirley and I are gonna sit and watch the stars.” Frank raised a brow at Shirley who readily agreed.
“Lord Adrian?”
Adrian looked at Angeline. From her expression, he knew she wanted to go but she was obviously tiring. “You must decide, my love.” He held her hand. “Do not overtire yourself.”
“I won’t, but I truly would like to attend.”
Adrian brushed a finger down her cheek. “Then we shall go as well.”
“I think I’ll stay here,” Edward responded, “if that’s all right.”
“Yes, of course,
Señor
Thornby.” Maria caught her son’s attention. “If you will make arrangements for transportation, Rafael, we should leave shortly.”
Rafael gestured to the men and indicated they should follow him. Once away from the dining room, he spoke quickly. “
Señor
Frank, the men will follow your instructions should it be necessary.”
“Don’t worry about things here. It’s all of you I’m concerned about.”
“Send word immediately should Malcolm appear, or anything untoward happen.” Adrian clasped Frank’s shoulder. “Trust your instincts, my friend.”
Lanterns swung quietly back and forth, softly lighting the carriages. When Angeline’s eyes drifted closed, Adrian pulled her gently against his side. He found Philippe watching.
“She sleeps the sleep of the innocent. Her mother could drift off that quickly as well.” Philippe’s eyes were hooded by the shadows inside the carriage.
“She has been through a great deal this last year,
Don
Philippe,” Adrian replied softly.
“Yes, and I regret any part I played in it. But at the same time, I am grateful.”
Adrian quirked a brow. “In what way?”
“Had things been different, had I not been the one Malcolm contacted, I would not have been there to protect her, nor would I have known Franchesca had a child.” Philippe peered out the window. “We are arriving. You should probably wake her.”
Philippe was through the door of the slowing carriage before Adrian had an opportunity to question him further. There was something more Philippe wasn’t saying, and Adrian intended to discover what it was. He just hoped Fernando had not convinced Philippe to look in Angeline’s direction as a wife.
Adrian kissed Angeline’s forehead lightly. “We’re here, sweeting, it’s time to wake.”
Angeline sat upright and gazed around. “Where is Philippe?”
“He’s gone ahead, probably to make certain all is safe,” Adrian answered, watching Angeline’s expression fill with concern.
The others waited near the front of the church for Adrian and Angeline to join them.
“Grandmother, was this the church Philippe and my mother were married in?” Angeline asked anxiously.
Maria’s hand rose to her throat. “I did not think when I asked him to come with us.”
“I’ll see if he’s inside.” Angeline climbed the few steps to the door of the church and entered.
Adrian moved nearer to the others and fell in step.
“Shall we go in?” Rafael took his mother’s arm and escorted her up the steps and into the church.
When they entered, Adrian heard Dona Maria’s gasp of alarm and moved toward her. Maria’s hands covered her mouth, her eyes fixed on Philippe and Angeline where they stood before the alter, dark silhouettes in the candlelight.
Jeffrey brushed past Adrian and stepped closer to whisper near her ear. “See only what really is, and not what was,
Dona
Maria.”
Although surprised by his uncle’s comment, Adrian couldn’t fault Jeffrey’s reasoning.
Dona
Maria lowered her hands and sent an imperceptible nod to Jeffrey. Adrian watched, as did the others, as Philippe handed Angeline a candle and lit it with his. After placing his candle in the holder, he kissed her forehead, then spun and strode past them and out of the church.
Adrian’s jaw tightened. Whatever he’d just witnessed, he didn’t like. But even less, did he like the fact he’d bullied Angeline into marriage without considering her spiritual needs. He’d made so many mistakes with her, but letting her go now would not be one of them.
Jeffrey placed his hand on Adrian’s shoulder and murmured, “This thing which has been set in motion needs to run its course. It may not be what it seems, and a wise man keeps his counsel until he is certain.”