The Forbidden Promise (15 page)

The storm of the
previous evening had passed, and during the night the sky had cleared and dawn
brought a hot sun, to brighten Aurora and Lucas’ wedding day.
From early morning there had been a coming and going of people at the Vargas de
Coronado’s home. The workers were soon removing the covers with which they had
protected the garden furniture and the gazebo from the rain. The florist
brought the flowers to add to the decorations and the cook had started to cook
the last dishes before the sun had risen. A little later, the dressmaker and
stylist arrived. The night before Aurora had fallen asleep very late, gripped
by worry and agitation. After a light sleep, she was awakened by a noise at the
door. Someone was knocking.
"
Miss
, your mother told me to wake you up and
help you take a bath." It was Carmen’s voice.
Yawning, Aurora got up and opened the bedroom door. So started her wedding day,
the day that would play a key role in her life.
After a bath, it was the turn of the hairdresser who dried Aurora’s hair with
hair straighteners that had been heated up on the kitchen stove. She then
combed Aurora's hair before gently tying it back at the base of her neck. Then
with a long curling iron the hairdresser curled the delicate chestnut bronze
colored hair in to soft ringlets.
It was then the turn of the dressmaker who opened the cover that had protected
the wedding dress and helped Aurora to put it on. Very carefully, she arranged
the large silk skirt around Aurora, laced the bodice embroidered with a
delicate pale pink floral design and puffy sleeves then did up the mother of
pearl buttons.
The stylist then delicately made up Aurora’s face and finally pinned on the
veil that was beautifully edged with the same lace that was decorating the
bodice.
" You’re beautiful, Miss Aurora ," cried Carmen, enthusiastically.
Aurora looked in the mirror and almost did not recognizing herself, so dressed
up. Her face took on an expression of surprise, while her warm hazel eyes tried
to identify herself in the suave image they saw reflected in the mirror.
Viviana came into the room. She was wearing a wonderful light blue dress,
decorated with pale gold lace that enriched the bodice and skirt.
"Dear, you look beautiful," she said admiring her.
" Thank you, mother."
Viviana handed her the bouquet composed of white and tea roses, smiling
emotionally.
"I’ve wanted to see you like this for a long time," Viviana said
admiringly.
Costantino also entered the room, elegant in a dark gray suit.
"It’s time to go or we'll be late!" He said, but he also stopped to
look at Aurora dressed as a bride.
Aurora sighed deeply excited.
" Let’s go then." Said Aurora, but
Doña
Viviana stopped her
"Wait for the blessing."
According to tradition, as a good omen, the mothers of the bride and groom had
a duty to bless the union that would be celebrated a little later.
Aurora closed her eyes, nodding.
" May you be happy forever at the side of the man you love and that you
have chosen, living every day together with serenity and joy . In the name of
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit," Viviana said, touching Aurora on
the forehead and shoulders.
Aurora was moved and at the end of the blessing she squeezed her mother's hand.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"Don’t cry, otherwise, you’ll ruin the makeup!" Laughed
Doña
Viviana.
Dolores was already in the living room waiting for them, she was also looking
very elegant. They climbed into the open-topped landau carriage, pulled by two
white horses.
Aurora's heart was pounding in her chest as the carriage passed along the
streets of Tampico. All the people stopped and shouted greetings and
congratulations. They finally reached the cathedral.
The door was wide open and the bells rang in celebration. Lucas was waiting at
the altar.
Costantino held out his hand and helped Aurora descend from the carriage, he
then turned to help both
Doña
Viviana and Dolores to get out. The two
women entered the cathedral to sit in the seats reserved for bride’s relatives.
Sighing, Aurora took her father's arm, and slowly entered the cathedral. Aurora
heard the organ start playing the wedding march. Everyone present was intent on
observing her as she advanced down the aisle. Aurora hardly noticed this as her
attention was focused on a single point in front of her: Lucas.
Lucas was standing before the altar, dressed in an elegant blue suit, his black
hair carefully combed, his green eyes lit up as he looked at her with
admiration.
Aurora smiled, as she joined him. Costantino shook Lucas’ hand and together
they helped Aurora to take her place before the altar. The organ had finished
playing, and a happy Father Julian began to officiate the ceremony.
Aurora felt as if she was in a dream, every sound was muffled.
Lucas said his wedding vows in a firm and secure voice in answer to Father
Julian’s ritual questions. Aurora feared, however, that her voice would fail
her, but her vows came out clear in the public’s ears. Then, Lucas slipped the
wedding ring on her finger.
" You may now kiss the bride." Said the priest as he turned to Lucas
who wasted no time in turning to Aurora who hesitated for a moment.
Don’t be
stupid
, said a little voice in her head,
Have you ever seen a wedding
without a wedding kiss
! Impulsively she closed her eyes as she lifted her
face to his. She felt his lips touch hers, delicate as the wings of a
butterfly. Immediately she felt a shiver run down her spine. Lucas broke away
almost immediately, and Aurora opened her eyes, slightly dazed. She searched for
his hand, squeezing it hard. Lucas smiled at her.
Straight after Santos, the best man and Dolores, the maid of honor stood up.
Santos held the silver
lazo
that had been used in the marriage of Lucas’
parents and following tradition together with Dolores placed it round the
shoulders of the couple.
Santos then handed Lucas the
arras
that consisted of thirteen gold coins
that the groom gives to the bride as a testimony of his commitment to maintain
her, and as a good omen for prosperity and luck. Aurora held out her cupped
hands and Lucas poured the coins into them, saying the ritual words. The two
exchanged an amused look.
Shortly after, the wedding ceremony came to an end, and Father Julian blessed
the congregation.
The organ began to play while the couple slowly walked towards the exit.
It’s done
! Aurora thought,
I'm married now
,
I'm
Mrs.
Navarra y Reyes! I’m free to do what I want! And all this thanks to Lucas, my
best friend.

The bridal party was a
success. The organizational skills of
Doña
Viviana could not denied. The
food was perfect, the wine also. The decorations left even the bride’s aunt and
uncle, Don Miguel and
Doña
Clara Vargas de Coronado amazed.
Marisol, remained on the sidelines for most of the time. She obviously
congratulated the new couple, though very coldly. The guests were ecstatic,
including Aurora’s colleagues, Mother Agostina and Dr. Peron who tried to keep
his distance from the drinks table. Yolanda, however, remained sullenly in a
corner, envying as never before Aurora and the role she had imagined she would
have played in Lucas' life.
Sunset marked the time for the bride and groom to leave the party that would
continue without them until the morning.
"Aurora, the carriage is waiting for us. Your luggage has already been
loaded. Everything is ready."
Lucas' words startled Aurora.
We have to go to Lucas’ house, soon I’ll be
alone with him. Silly! What am I thinking, nothing will happen, this isn’t a
real marriage.
" I'm ready, let's go." She replied in a whisper.
Lucas helped her into the carriage, the wedding dress being so large and
cumbersome that it hindered her movements making her clumsy.
" This dress is very uncomfortable," said Aurora relaxing in the
seat.
" But you look enchanting." Lucas replied.
"I hope we arrive soon so that I can take it off." She sighed.
"I'd be happy to help you." Offered Lucas
Aurora looked at him strangely. Lucas was watching her intently, his body was
leaning towards her and a slight smile hovered on his lips. Blushing, she was
unable to tear her eyes from his bright green ones.
Lucas was the one to break the spell drawing back sharply. He breathed heavily
and said, "I haven’t any servants and we forgot to bring Carmen with us. I
really think that you’ll have to accept my offer."
" I'll try to do it myself, thank you." Replied Aurora still feeling
uncomfortable.
The journey continued in an awkward silence.
When they arrived at the house, Lucas led Aurora to Amparo’s old room that he
had renovated for her.
Aurora, surprised by the kindness that Lucas was bestowing on her, thanked him
with a smile.
Lucas reacted rather gruffly. "I’ll leave you, I guess you want to be
alone."
" Yes, thank you." Replied Aurora
Lucas closed the door behind him and walked quickly towards the living room
where he poured himself a generous measure of tequila.
Lost in his thoughts he realized that he was no longer alone only when Aurora’s
hand touched him on his shoulder.
" Lucas." She said shyly, "I think I actually do need help to
remove this dress." Blushing with shame she added, "I can’t undo the
buttons." She lowered her face unable to go on any further.
Lucas smiled, took her hand and led her back to her room and then began to
unfasten the dress with delicate gestures. His hands rested on her bare
shoulders, touching for the first time Aurora’s soft, warm skin, and indulging
in a light caress. The scent of her skin was soft and inviting, Lucas lent
forward and placed a kiss on Aurora’s neck left uncovered by her hair.
"Goodnight Aurora, sweet dreams." Lucas said moving away from her.
Aurora was unable to answer, she turned in time to see him leave the room.
Lucas’ behavior deeply unsettled Aurora who was also affected by the dreaminess
that his caresses had unleashed in her. With trembling hands, she finished
undressing and slipped on the transparent nightgown that her mother had packed
for the wedding night.
No one must know that she would spend the night alone she said to herself while
thinking of her handsome husband sleeping in the next room.
Lucas went to his room and looked out of the open window to cool off in the
night breeze.
I'm a fool, what I was I thinking of doing? Aurora isn’t really my wife, I
mustn’t touch her in that way. If only she weren’t so beautiful and sensual.
Enough! He laughed sadly,
what mess have I got myself into? I've always had
all the women I wanted and I’ve ended up marrying the one that doesn’t want me.
I have to keep her at a distance. How could I have thought I could only be a
friend to her?

The next morning, Aurora
and Lucas went to the bank. The dowry money was now available to them and they
withdrew just enough to pay off the purchase of the
hacienda
in
Zacatecas.
They then went to the convent, Aurora wanted to say goodbye to the nuns and Dr.
Peron.
They were welcomed with joy and both the doctor and the good nuns wished them a
happy life enriched with many children. The patients in the infirmary said
good-bye to her, grateful for the care she had given them to relieve their
suffering. They then went to say goodbye to good Father Julian, who had done so
much for Lucas during his difficult adolescence years.
The preparations for their departure were completed in the early afternoon,
which gave them time to visit Aurora’s parents. Don Costantino took them into
his library.
" Dear children, come, sit down. Is everything ready for your
departure?"
" Yes, Dr. Vargas de Coronado. We’re leaving tomorrow morning very early,
the journey is long, but I hope we get to the hacienda before nightfall."
" Where is my mother?" Aurora asked, surprised by her absence.
"She’s in her room, resting. Yesterday was very tiring for her. She told
me to ask you to go up as soon as you arrived."
Aurora knocked on the door of her mother's room and went inside. "Hello
mother, how are you?”
Aurora thought that the smile that
Doña
Viviana greeted her with was a
bit strained. "I'm just a little tired. But tell me about yourself,
everything went well last night? Lucas behaved like a gentleman?" Queried
Viviana
Aurora looked down and nodded.
"Good," sighed
Doña
Viviana. Then she added in a lighter tone,
“Yesterday’s party seemed successful. All the guests complimented the wonderful
food and decorations."
" You couldn’t have done better, mother. Thank you so much, everything was
perfect."
Doña
Viviana went over to her daughter and took her hands. "My
dear, I know we have often been at odds, but I want to tell you that I've
always wanted only the best for you. I hope that Lucas knows how to make you
happy and give you everything you deserve."
" Mother, you can’t imagine what joy your words give me." Answered
Aurora moved.
"It's not the first time that you’ve gone away from me for a long time,
but this time I feel that I'm really losing you. My dear, I’ll miss you "
"I’ll also miss you very much. I'll be back to visit you as soon as possible."
Viviana smiled, stroking Aurora’s face.
"Goodbye, my child. "
Santos and Yolanda had left very early that morning to prepare for Lucas and
Aurora’s arrival at the
hacienda
in Zacatecas. So the newlyweds dined
alone. Aurora prepared the meal by herself, simple dishes but tasty.
" I'm not used to having someone cook my dinner, the last person who
cooked for me was poor Amparo, may she rest in peace," commented Lucas.
"I'm not a great cook," explained Aurora, "but I had to take a
few lessons, otherwise my mother would have killed me."
"Don’t worry, we can’t afford a large number of servants, but in Zacatecas
there is already a cook waiting for us, along with a few maids. I hope you will
be able to manage the house without having to get involved yourself."
"Fortunately! How do you know that I'm not a perfect housewife?"
Questioned Aurora smiling.
They calmly finished the meal, chatting amiably for the umpteenth time about
the projects they both had for the
hacienda
in Zacatecas.
Aurora had drunk a bit of wine and was feeling slightly tipsy. Lucas offered
her a tequila, but she categorically refused.
"I'm not going to get drunk." She said firmly. "Besides alcohol
is harmful to the body. Some time I'll give you a lesson on the damage caused
by its abuse."
Lucas smiled.
"It will be a pleasure to listen to you." He said, sipping his
liquor.
Aurora stayed silent, undecided whether Lucas was joking or talking seriously.
With his bewitching green eyes, he had the power to confuse her.
"I'd better go to my room, we need to get up early tomorrow."
"I'll come with you." Lucas immediately offered, putting down his
glass of tequila.
Aurora raised her hands.
"No thanks!" She laughed, "I know the way now. Don’t worry. Good
night."
" Good night," he said disappointedly.
Aurora climbed the stairs and retired to her room.
I’ve got myself in big trouble
! Lucas thought, shaking his head.
Aurora,
this situation will make me crazy!