The Forbidden Promise (34 page)

The next day, Pablo came running up to Lucas' house. He found
him alone, busy having breakfast.
"
Doña
Aurora has just gone out with a servant and is going to the
clinic for the poor," he said with difficulty having run so quickly.
Lucas stood up. He put his napkin on the table and asked, "Was she
carrying a small black briefcase?"
" I think so." Replied Pablo.
“Good, it means that she’s really going to work. Thanks, if you’ve not had
breakfast have some here and make them bring you something from the
kitchen."
Lucas slapped Pablo on the back and left without further ado. He definitely
wanted to take the opportunity to be able to talk to Aurora and if she did not
wanted to listen to him this time he would force her to.
He quickly arrived at
La Virgen de la Caridad
convent. He greeted Mother
Consuelo, the nun concierge, avoiding her chatter.
He entered the small clinic that Aurora used to see patients. The door was open
and he saw her in the dispensary intent on doing an inventory of the contents
of some boxes of medicines with the help of Mother Agostina.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning," Aurora whispered coldly, she could not help meeting
his eyes.
"Can we talk?" He said, approaching her.
"We have nothing to say to each other," she replied, bowing her head
again to the sheet of paper in front of her and pretending to continue to
write.
"It will only take a few minutes," insisted Lucas.
Aurora sighed annoyed.
"Alright, but promise me you'll go then," she said looking up.
He nodded and turning to the nun said," Mother, could you leave us alone,
please?"
The nun turned to look at Aurora and started walking to the door, but was
stopped by Aurora’s voice. "No, Mother Agostina I’d prefer you to
stay!"
Lucas approached the nun and regarded her with a mild and serene look. “I beg
you Mother, I'm not here to hurt her, I swear. You can stay behind the door if
you wish, so that Aurora may call you if she ever feels the need to."
Mother Agostina, in the end, agreed to leave the room.
As soon as the door closed, Aurora lashed out against him, jumping up and
standing in the center of the room.
"You're always the same; authoritarian and impertinent ... how dare you
come here and act like a master! "
"We have to speak alone.” Lucas said moving closer to her.
Aurora felt her heart beating wildly, so much so that she feared that Lucas
could hear it.
"Well what do we need to talk about?" She asked trying to keep a firm
tone of voice.
"About us," Lucas said, staring at her with his piercing eyes "I
don’t know what you saw that night when you came to the
hacienda
, but I
assure you that nothing happened between me and that girl. It was one of
Penelope’s traps, she drugged me with one of her potions, I didn’t know what I
was doing. As to the murder charge, Carmen’s testimony has pretty much
confirmed my alibi and re-opened the case ... I would never have hurt your
father, you know that."
Aurora nodded.
"Yes, Don José told me everything." She interrupted remaining cold
and distant as possible, "but about the rest, I must say that you’ve a lot
of imagination! You made up a very inventive story ..."
"Aurora, believe me, I'm telling you the truth!" Pleaded Lucas.
"But what interest would Penelope have in making you end up in bed with
that woman?" Asked Aurora.
Lucas shook his head in exasperation. "I don’t know ... but she deceived
us, she wasn’t at all sorry for how she treated me as a child. She is dishonest
and enjoys seeing people suffer ... maybe she has kept in touch with
Doña
Raquel ... "
"Of course, you’re not guilty of anything, you're only ever a victim of other
people’s schemes..."
Lucas moved even closer to Aurora, who unable to bear his look anymore, turned
her back to him.
He gently took hold of her arms and pulled her close to him.
"Come back to me Aurora, I need you," he begged passionately.
A sudden chill ran down Aurora’s back and she stood still unable to answer.
He brushed her long hair from her shoulders and lightly touched her long
slender neck with his lips. A thought ran through Aurora’s mind that took her
back to the night of their marriage when he had helped her to take off her
wedding dress.
Aurora closed her eyes slightly, mesmerized by the memory of that time and her
present emotion. She bent her head as he encircled her hips and pulled her even
closer making her turn around.
"I know that you haven’t stopped loving me, I feel it from the way you're
trembling right now," he whispered in her ear.
Aurora was trembling because she was fighting with all her might against the
absurd desire to abandon herself in those strong arms that surrounded her, to
rest her face on that broad chest and kiss those lips.
"Let me go," she said suddenly, as if she had just awoken from a
dream, she freed herself from his hold. "You believe that just by touching
me I’ll fall at your feet ... You're conceited!"
She took two steps backwards to get away from him.
"I'm tired of your lies!" She exclaimed in exasperation. "Tired
of all your stories, of all your women!"
"I've never lied to you!" Lucas replied.
"You're right," she continued with a wry smile. "From the
beginning, our marriage was a pretense, so technically you've never lied to me.
You’re not made to have family."
"The reasons why we got married aren’t a mystery. But then we fell in
love, you know it too, and now I can’t live without you."
" And it is for this reason that you found comfort during my absence with
your old lover!"
Aurora gave him a sarcastic smile.
" What are you talking about?" Lucas said, keeping his eyes fixed on
hers, she looked at him angrily.
" I'm talking about Marisol who is living with you! Do you think I have
become your toy?" Aurora asked, struggling to hold back tears.
"Marisol is living in my house to escape from Federico ... not for what
you believe." Explained Lucas.
" Of course!" Aurora raised her eyes to the ceiling.
"Aurora, you have to believe me," pleaded Lucas as he approached her
again trying to hug her, but Aurora took a further step backwards.
"So much has happened Lucas, you and I are too different. Please leave,
continue with your life and I'll decide what to do with mine ... "
Lucas began to grow impatient and looked at her angrily.
"And what would you like to do with your life? Annul our wedding and marry
that buffoon, Cristobal?" He asked, suddenly changing his tone.
" And what do you care? We signed a pact and it’s my right to make use of
it.” Cried Aurora.
Lucas grabbed her firmly by the shoulders, ignoring her protests.
"I read the minutes of the hearing ... why did you lie?" He asked
angrily.
"Let go of me," she said trying to wriggle free, but he put one arm
around her waist and drew her to him.
"You were mine and still belong to me! But if you continue to lie about
your feelings, you're free to do so! I’m tired of begging! "
With an angry groan he took possession of Aurora’s lips, hurting her and trying
to provoke the
response that he knew deep in his heart.
Aurora at first tried to free herself from his brutal grasp, then a heat began
to rise inside her, overcoming her resistance and with a sob she abandoned
herself to Lucas’ kiss, eagerly responding to him, savoring every exquisite
sensation.
Suddenly Lucas broke the contact, he looked at her for a moment, his eyes
sparkling with rage and he pulled away from her roughly. Then, he strode out of
the room.
Aurora stood in the center of the room, her legs still shaking.
I'm so stupid ... so stupid
! She said to herself conscious of the fact
that a simple touch from Lucas had rekindled in her the most ardent passions.
Immediately Mother Agostina entered and put her arm around Aurora’s shoulders.
"No, child, don’t cry," She said, consoling her, as Aurora burst into
tears.
"It’s that I’m terribly confused ..." she said between sobs, "I
don’t know what to do ... "
"You have to do what your heart tells you, child. Only then will you be
really happy."
Aurora leaned against the comforting embrace of the nun and wept over all her
pain.

     The next day when
Marisol awoke she found neither Lucas nor Pablo at home.
She had breakfast quickly and left to go to her aunt Viviana’s home without
bothering to ask any of the servants to accompany her. Lucas had forbidden her
to go into the town alone since Federico’s reactions could be completely
unpredictable, but she had decided to seek a solution to the problems that she
had created.
Lucas has been so good to me and I must try to repay him in some way, even
if it means abandoning forever any dream of the two of us being together.
She had thought about it all night and was now completely resigned to the fact
that the only woman Lucas truly loved was Aurora. There would never be anyone
else for him, so Marisol had decided to help.
I’m no longer the spoiled girl
that I used to be, my life has changed, marriage to Federico has introduced me
to pain, suffering, and humiliation. If I can do something to help others it’s
right that I do so, as I’ve been helped myself.
When she was close to her aunt's house she saw walking on the other side of
the road, a man that she instantly recognized, that swagger was unmistakable.
It was now too late to change direction and as soon as Federico noticed Marisol
he literally fell on her.
Marisol shouted, terrified, looking for a way to escape.
"Here you are finally, you ugly bitch!" Cursed Federico, pulling her
by the arm.
Curious passers-by stopped to watch the scene without daring to intervene.
"Let me go Federico you're hurting me!" Cried Marisol.
"No, my dear, you’ll come home with me now... you’ve finished rolling
around between the sheets with that beggar, making me look ridiculous in front
of the whole town!"
He hit her in the face and Marisol fell to the ground stunned.
At that moment Cristobal appeared, heading to Aurora’s home. He made his way
through the crowd of people to look at the pitiful scene. When he saw Federico
yanking Marisol up from the ground by her arm and starting to drag her behind him,
he ran to Marisol’s aid.
"What the hell are you doing?" He yelled at Federico.
Seeing Cristobal approach, Federico let go of Marisol who fell to her knees.
" Don’t interfere, this is family business and it’s not a matter that
concerns you,” retorted Federico.
"I’ll not let you mistreat a helpless woman like that! You should be
ashamed of yourself!" Cristobal retorted, holding out a hand to Marisol,
who sobbing with a split lip, got up and hurried to hide behind Cristobal.
"It’s the second time that you’ve meddle in what doesn’t concern
you," said Federico. "I'm getting tired of you, you worthless
lawyer!"
"I warned you the first time and I will not repeat it again,"
threatened Cristobal furious. "You and your mother know what I’m referring
to!"
"Cursed meddler," cried Federico, lunging at Cristobal with his fist
clenched.
Cristobal had the presence to move out of the way and punched Federico in the
stomach, which knocked him on all fours.
“Let’s go, before he gets up," Cristobal said Marisol.
He took her hand and ran away while the curious spectators formed a circle
around Federico.
"And you, what the hell are you looking at? Go away you idiots!"
Mumbled Federico, coughing and getting up with difficulty. But the blow he had
received in the stomach had left him weak.
Damn hussy! You weren’t in Zacatecas, then! But now that I know you're in
town I can get to you and finally give you the lesson you deserve ...
Cristobal and Marisol, meanwhile reached the Vargas de Coronado’s house. When
they were in front of the house, Marisol weeping, impulsively embraced
Cristobal who froze for a moment astonished, then shyly he hugged her back,
trying to comfort her.
"Thank you, you saved me Don Cristobal." whispered Marisol, between
sobs.
She rested her head on his shoulder and buried her face in his jacket, which
smelled good.
Cristobal blushed, he wanted to kiss Marisol’s blonde hair, she seemed so
helpless as she took refuge in his arms.
"Come on, let’s go in," were the only words he could say, dominated
as he was by embarrassment.
Marisol tried to wipe away her tears with a handkerchief, while Cristobal rang
the bell. Carmen immediately opened the door.
Cristobal and Marisol entered the living room.
Doña
Viviana was sitting
on the sofa embroidering when she saw with amazement Cristobal and Marisol come
in together.
"Marisol ... But what’s happened to you?" She asked worried.
Marisol’s cheek was reddened and swollen due to Federico’s violent slap, her
split lip was bleeding and her beautiful blue eyes were swollen with tears.
"Oh, Aunt it’s all so terrible!" Replied Marisol, starting to cry
again. She ran to Viviana and hugged her tightly. Marisol was in desperate need
of motherly affection and Viviana was the closest person to the role that she
had met for a long time. Her mother, always so worried about appearances, would
never understand her suffering and her pain.
Viviana, surprised by the reaction of Marisol, whom she had always seen in the
role of a young, frivolous, fashionable and emancipated girl, held her tightly,
trying to comfort her. Seeing her suffering so, trembling and mistreated had
softened her.
"Calm down, my child, tell me what happened..."

Marisol was able to calm down after a few minutes and with the
help of Cristobal told her of Federico’s new assault.
Shortly after, Aurora joined them, having returned from the clinic.
"Cousin I'm so glad to see you!" Marisol said, sighing with relief
and running to hug her.
Aurora hesitated a moment before returning the embrace.
Cristobal also stood up to kiss her hand.
"I came to apologize for yesterday, Aurora."
Viviana looked at them puzzled, waiting for some explanation.
What did
Cristobal have to apologize for?
"It doesn’t matter it’s forgotten. It was just a little
misunderstanding," she said casually.
"How did it go at the clinic?" Continued Cristobal, noting the look
of curiosity still on
Doña
Viviana’s face and wanting to change the
subject.
"Well," Aurora replied smiling to hide her embarrassment, she did not
want to reveal that she had met Lucas "There is always so much work and so
little time ..."
Aurora turned to look at Marisol’s face.
"But Marisol, what happened to you?" She asked worriedly.
"Aurora," interrupted
Doña
Viviana "Marisol has a problem
and she needs our help."
Aurora continued to stare with a questioning look at Marisol who instinctively
lowered her eyes.
"Federico attacked me a little while ago while I was on my way here.
Luckily Don Cristobal stepped in and saved me from that scoundrel ..."
Marisol began to cry again. "I'm desperate! I don’t know what to do! I'm
currently living at Lucas’ house who offered me protection ..."
Aurora felt a flush of heat burning her cheeks.
"Protection?" She asked with consternation.
Marisol nodded.
"Yes. My life with Federico had turned into a living hell, every night he
went to the brothel then came back drunk and beat me. Moreover, his mother is a
real devil! So I decided to run away, and since you weren’t in town and my
parents would never have accepted me back into the house to preserve the
family’s good name, I asked for Lucas’ help who let me hide under his men’s
protection first in Zacatecas then here in Tampico."
Although Aurora was filled with jealousy at the thought of her beautiful cousin
living under the same roof as Lucas, she managed to remain silent.
Really nothing actually happened between them? I doubt that, she is so
attractive and he is a man, and more importantly a man with a reputation for
not being able to resist beautiful women
she thought bitterly.
"In any case it’s not wise for you to live with a man alone," said
Doña
Viviana. "You can’t deny this."
" But we're related ... He’s Aurora’s husband," exclaimed Marisol,
apparently without any malice.
"It isn’t right and you know it, Marisol!" Interrupted Aurora red in
the face.
"You can stay here with us until the situation with Federico is
settled," replied
Doña
Viviana sternly. The invitation was actually
more an order that brooked no argument.
"Thank you, I’m grateful," Marisol stammered. Then she turned to
Aurora, wiping away her tears.
"Aurora believe me, Lucas really loves you, it’s only you that he wants at
his side," she said sincerely.
Aurora made a grimace of annoyance.
Certainly, and while he was waiting for
my return he kept in training with you!
She thought bitterly. She stood up
unable to endure the embarrassing situation anymore.
"I’m sorry, I’ve a headache, today has been a tough day, I’ll go and
rest.  If you’ll if excuse me," she said going to her room.
Doña
Viviana invited Cristobal and Marisol to stay for dinner, the two
willingly accepted but first Marisol sent a note to Lucas explaining briefly
what had happened and told him that she would be staying with
Doña
Viviana for some time. She informed him that she would be by the next day to
collect her things and to thank him personally for all he had done for her.
The dinner was very pleasant. Aurora, however, did not feel like joining the
others. She stayed in her room all night, jealous and angry, brooding on the
events of the day. She felt great pity for Marisol, but it infuriated her that
Marisol had lived under the same roof as Lucas, first in Zacatecas and then in
Tampico.
Marisol, conversely, cheered up and chatted with Cristobal until late evening.
She laughed at all Cristobal’s jokes and for a while she forgot all her
troubles.
Doña
Viviana looked at them pleased, despite her recent doubts
about Cristobal, she could not help admiring his elegant, friendly, gallant and
kind manners.
If something grows between the two of them, it would be the
best solution,
she found herself thinking,
Aurora would be free of
Cristobal’s unwanted advances.
Yes, but what would happen in that case? She
would reunite with Lucas, there was no doubt about it. However Viviana's
disapproval was waning now.
Who am I to oppose their marriage, with all the
mistakes I’ve made in my life? I made Costantino unhappy and now he's dead and
I'm all alone ...
Viviana stirred and laughed at Cristobal’s funny
anecdote. Shortly after, Cristobal left and the two women retired to sleep.
The next morning after breakfast Cristobal decided it was time to pay
Doña
Raquel a visit. Federico’s excessively bad behavior was becoming more frequent
and unacceptable. First with Aurora in Mexico City, then with sweet Marisol
whom he had even slapped ... Even the memory of the events of the previous
evening, made him tremble with rage.
He went to the Navarra
hacienda
and the maid invited him to make himself
comfortable in the large living room.
"What a pleasure to see you Don Cristobal," said
Doña
Raquel,
holding out her hand, that he kissed.
"The pleasure is mine
Doña
Raquel."
" Sit down, please," invited
Doña
Raquel as she pointed to the
expensive brocade sofa.
Cristobal sat down, but his face showed the anger and annoyance that tormented
him.
"What news do you bring me of Lucas?" Asked
Doña
Raquel.
"I’ve learned that he’s been released," Cristobal said coldly.
"It seems that his alibi has been confirmed."
Raquel pursed her lips, still quivering with anger at Lucas’ newfound freedom.
He
always manages to come through, that damn man
! She decided to pretend that
she did not care, as she did not want to give Cristobal the satisfaction of
seeing her upset.
"Would you like something to drink?" She asked with feigned
tranquility.
" In reality ma’am this isn’t a courtesy visit, Federico and I have had
two unpleasant confrontations in recent weeks, and in both cases it was because
Federico attacked a woman."
Doña
Raquel opened her fan and began to wave it nervously.
"I'm already aware of everything," She said cutting him short.
"And I’ve reprimanded Federico appropriately."
"Well, then you’ll understand that this behavior isn’t acceptable
especially for a gentleman who belongs to one of the most prominent families in
Mexico."
Raquel grew angry. She had never allowed anyone to criticize her in that way,
and she certainly was not going to accept such a rebuke from Cristobal who was
blackmailing her.
" We certainly don’t need your moral lessons," replied Raquel acidly.
" So you’ll keep an eye on Federico!"
" Federico only attempted to defend his honor tainted by a cheap
whore!" Exclaimed Raquel, her eyes wide with anger.
"Watch how you talk! Marisol is a lady and for this reason she won’t
accept the ill-treatment inflicted by Federico anymore," said Cristobal
springing to his feet.
Doña
Raquel, startled by the vehemence of his reaction, looked at
Cristobal surly.
"I don’t understand your attitude. Up until now I’ve respected our pact,
I’ve separated Aurora from Lucas, wasn’t this what you wanted? Why are you now
getting so heated trying to protect Marisol’s honor? Could it be that now
you’ve set your sights on Marisol? "
A wicked smile appeared on Raquel’s face.
Cristobal stared at Raquel, he was also surprised by his reaction.
What
binds me to Marisol
? He immediately decided to cancel that thought, justifying
the anger he felt only as the duty of a gentleman protecting a woman in danger.
"What are you saying? The only woman that interests me is Aurora. It’s
true that thanks to you she’s left Lucas and the annulment of her marriage is
getting closer, but I won’t tolerate that Federico mistreats a woman in my
presence, no woman. All the more so if it is my future wife’s cousin." He
said with less vehemence, not believing his words himself.
Why am I so annoyed that they offend Marisol? Maybe I'm really starting to
feel something for her? Her beauty is undoubtedly incomparable ...
he
thought to himself.
"Well Don Cristobal, if that is all, thank you for your visit, but now I
must ask you to leave," said
Doña
Raquel, not even pretending to
use a courteous tone and dismissing Cristobal curtly.
"Goodbye," said Cristobal heading for the door. "Don’t bother to
accompany me, I know the way!" He said, annoyed by Raquel’s harsh tone.
He left, slamming the door behind him.
Doña
Raquel lit the candles in the candelabra on the table and stared at
it thoughtfully.
That Don Cristobal is becoming a danger ... Maybe it's time to get rid of
him too! My secret is no longer safe and I can’t allow a stupid lawyer to
threaten me this way.
She smiled, with that evil smile that distinguished her, as she passed the
palm of her hand through the candle flame, drawing small circles until the heat
became unbearable, then she gave a little cry of pleasure and put her hand on
her heart.
I was able to separate you, damn Lucas, from your beloved,
she thought,
and this is just the beginning of your destruction!
She rang the bell to call the maid who promptly came to the door. She ordered
the maid to send a messenger to the brothel to find Penelope and to tell her to
come to the
hacienda
at once.
Penelope did not take long to arrive, wrapped in her black shawl, she entered
through the servant’s door warily. She had come through Tampico with a certain
amount fear of meeting Lucas or one of his henchmen, in that case it would have
meant trouble for her.
She went to the study where
Doña
Raquel was waiting for her.
"You sent for me, ma'am
?
"
She asked in her usual smarmy way.
"Yes," she said, "I’ve learned that Lucas and Aurora are close
to annulling their marriage."
" Yes Ma'am, I’ve heard that too."
" Well, I have to admit that you carried out your plans in Zacatecas
perfectly. Now I need you to do something else for me. Our good banker, Don
Guadalupe, has informed me that Lucas has managed to pay the first installment
of the loan despite being in jail. Your nephew Santos has been working like
crazy to continue the silver extraction and save Lucas from bankruptcy. As you
well understand, now that the bastard is out of jail, we can’t allow him, with
further silver extraction, to pay off his debts! We won’t be able to foreclose
on his
hacienda
and take away his claim on the mine!"
Penelope listened to her in silence, Raquel’s treachery always had the power to
fascinate her. She walked over and caressed her shoulder.
" No, of course we can’t allow it ..." She whispered calmly.
" You'll have to arrange an accident at the mine," Raquel ordered.
"With dead and wounded?" Penelope asked.
"It’s a detail that I’m not interested in. The important thing is that the
mine won’t be able to function for a long time, if not forever!" She
exclaimed, turning to admire the garden from the large window behind her.
" It’ll take a lot of money to organize such a thing ..."
In silence
Doña
Raquel opened one of the desk drawers, pulled out a
massive wad of notes and put it on the table.
"This is an advance ... the rest when the work is finished. If you can
satisfy me this time too, I’ll be very generous with you."
With a wave of her hand, she pointed to the door and turned back to the large
window.
Penelope eagerly seized the money and hid it in the pocket of her large skirt.
"You’ll have news from me soon, ma’am," she said leaving.
Her mind began to work feverishly on how to fulfill this new evil task. The
fact that she could ruin people’s lives did not disturb her, she was accustomed
to thinking of people as an indistinct mass of puppets with no soul or will.
The only thing that mattered was her own well-being and satisfaction, the rest
was not important.
In Zacatecas she did not have sufficient support, but certainly the laborer that
she had already contacted to simulate the miners’ revolt would be of
assistance. But it was still not enough.
Back at the brothel, she confided in Don Gonzalo and together they enlisted a
small group of criminals and drifters, willing to do anything for money.
They then organized the purchase of a large quantity of explosive. Don Gonzalo
turned to a trusted customer of his
venta
who knew some weapons
smugglers. It was only a matter of time and the dynamite was soon in the hands
of the two.
The advance that
Doña
Raquel had given to Penelope was more than enough,
Penelope paid the bandits and for the dynamite, and even managed to retain a
good amount of money for herself.
At the end of the preliminary tasks, Penelope arranged the departure to
Zacatecas, carefully explaining every detail that could help the bandits.
They arrived at the
hacienda
at night, as planned, helped by the corrupt
laborer. They passed one of the access avenues to the estate and went silently
to the mine. Then, being very careful and avoiding making any noise, they
placed the dynamite in the mine, taking care to conceal the wires very
carefully with sand and earth. Two sticks of dynamite were cleverly placed
beside the underground mill, the river would burst its banks and flood the entire
excavation.
Penelope had given the order to blow up the dynamite the following morning,
shortly before the workers began the day’s extraction, in order to cause as
much damage as possible.
Safely in Tampico Penelope was looking forward to the destruction and the
suffering that would soon be unleashed.
This time Lucas won’t be able to recover, despite his cursed good luck. The
blow will be too strong. The disaster would fall on his head as the mine would
fall on his men ...
A smile pursed Penelope’s thin lips.
The tragedy
will be so severe that there’ll be no escape ...
The uproar caused by the explosion was heard for miles around, the galleries
collapsed in on themselves, pieces of rock and metal flew in every direction,
and even the poor wooden barracks where the workers slept were wrecked.
A cloud of thick smoke made the air unbreathable, and gave the desolate place
an even more hellish look.
In the
hacienda
everyone awoke startled, while from the
peons’
village
shrieks and groans of pain arose. A cloud of dust and debris began slowly to
pour out from the mine’s entrance, so thick that it obscured the sun's rays.
Pancho, one of the
hacienda
’s servants, seemed to fly in the saddle of
his horse on his way to the post office to send a telegram to Tampico to advise
Lucas of the collapse.
Lucas received the communication only in the late evening. Shocked he decided
not to wait for dawn and set off immediately with a few of his men towards
Zacatecas. He ordered Pablo to notify Father Julian and ask him to join him at
the
hacienda
as soon as possible, the size of the tragedy made him
assume that both a doctor and a priest would certainly be needed.
While he galloped on the roan steed through the starry night, his black hair
blown by the wind, Lucas looked like a knight of old, ready to challenge fate
to conquer his goal. But fate was raging against him, he was definitively
losing Aurora, he was suspected of murder and now the destruction of the mine
was the final blow which threatened to destroy him
. I won’t bend, I'll make
it through this time too
... But as he repeated these words in his mind, a
single silent tear welled from his green eyes and ran down his tanned cheek.
If
only Aurora was with me
...
Pablo, in the meantime, woke up Father Julian in the middle of the night and
told him the terrible story.
Father Julian promised that he would leave the next day with as many volunteers
as he could gather. Many of the families of the miners employed at the mine,
lived in Tampico, it would not therefore be hard to find hands willing to help.
The news about the mine explosion arrived at the clinic quickly, even before
Father Julian’s arrival. When he arrived Aurora ran to him alarmed.
" Father, have you heard about the mine?"
" Yes my child, calm down, I’ve come to ask Dr. Peron if he can accompany
me and go with the volunteers to provide first aid."
"What a tragedy! It seems that there are many wounded and some dead
..." Aurora said worried, wringing her hands. She could not help but think
of the
peone
s
’ families and the pain and
suffering that they were definitely feeling at that time.
"I know, my child ..." Father Julian put his hand on her shoulder to
calm her.
" I'm coming with you!" Aurora offered on impulse.
" No, it’s better if you stay here and take care of the patients, and also
it’s not a place for a woman."
" Father Julian, first of all I am a doctor and I have to go where my care
is needed." She said staring at him decided. "Until my marriage is
annulled the
hacienda
in Zacatecas is also my home ... and it’s my duty
to be there!"
"But what will your mother say..." Father Julian started to say.
"My mother won’t say anything." Aurora replied annoyed. "With
everything that has happened, she doesn’t object anymore when I have to come
here, to the convent’s infirmary ... "
Father Julian seemed to hesitate. The last thing he wanted in an already
difficult situation, was to tend to Lucas and Aurora’s wounded souls.
"I don’t know my child, but who will take care of the clinic?" Father
Julian asked, as a last attempt to make her change her mind.
"We could ask the nuns to look after the sick for a few days, we don’t
have any particularly serious cases at the moment and Mother Agostina is
perfectly able to deal with them. In case of an emergency she could always
contact the doctor in Ciudad Madero..." Aurora said in a pleading voice,
"if you don’t want me to come with you, I’ll go to Zacatecas alone! You
well know, Father, that I would be capable of this! "
In the end, Father Julian stopped hesitating.
" Alright, alright, we leave in the afternoon. The journey will be long, a
caravan of wagons and carriages crammed with men and equipment will be slow,
even if we stop only to change horses. We’ll sleep in turns and I hope to get
there by tomorrow night, God permitting. See you at the church." said
Father Julian.
"Thank you, see you later," Aurora responded, rushing out of the door
to go and warn her mother.
In fact, as predicted by Father Julian,
Doña
Viviana was not very happy
to learn Aurora’s decision.
"Aurora, listen to me, your feelings of love for others is commendable,
but it isn’t the place for you..."
Aurora continued to prepare her clothes on the bed while Carmen folded them and
packed them carefully into a suitcase.
" Mother, I’m a doctor and I have to go."
" But it could be dangerous!" Said
Doña
Viviana. "And
it’s not good for you to go alone ..." The fact that Lucas would be at the
hacienda
continued to bother Viviana.