‘And until then?’ Felipe asked.
‘Valentina?’
She froze as she heard her stepbrother’s voice. It wasn’t as terrifying as if it had been her mother’s, but it still sent spirals of fear through her body that they’d been found.
‘Valentina, I know you’re in here.’
Valentina wrapped her arms tightly around Felipe and kissed him, pressing her lips to his for as long as she could.
‘I love you,’ she whispered. ‘No matter what happens, or what you hear, know that I love you with all my heart and that I always will.’
‘I love you, too,’ he whispered back.
And as she tucked the figurine carefully into the pocket of her dress, he lifted his coat and tore a piece of blue silk from the top he was wearing.
‘Take it,’ he said, passing it to her. ‘Your father gave me this when I joined the team, the very first time I played.’
She quickly tucked it into the same pocket and slipped from the stable, hoping that Felipe didn’t follow her and confront her brother.
‘I’m here,’ she announced, seeing her stepbrother standing near the door.
‘You look terrible.’
She glanced down at her wet clothes and lifted a hand to her damp hair. The blanket she’d had around her shoulders had slipped to the ground, but she left it where it fell.
‘Why are you here?’ she asked.
‘Because you’re wanted back at the house,’ Bruno said. ‘You’ll have to clean up before she sees you though.’
Byshe, Valentina knew that he meant their mother.
‘You could put an end to all this,’ Valentina said. ‘Instead of being a coward, you could be grateful for everything my father did for you, for the generosity he showed you. You could refuse to follow through with your mother’s plan.’
The stepbrother whom she’d once thought of as an ally instead of an enemy just laughed at her, as cruelly as her mother might.
‘And turn down all that money? Don’t be a fool, Valentina. I’ve been overlooked my entire life, but not anymore.’ He looked around. ‘This is all going to be mine.’
‘But he didn’t overlook you, Bruno! You never showed any interest in the family business, but he still left you a house and?—’
‘Enough!’ His voice silenced her.
She stood for a moment longer to catch her breath, knowing she had to end the conversation before Felipe appeared behind her, unable to listen in the shadows any longer.
‘Why does she want me at the house?’ Valentina asked, suddenly suspicious.
‘Your intended has arrived to meet his blushing young bride.’
Valentina closed her eyes, not certain if the gasp she’d heard came from her or Felipe, hidden behind the stable door; so close and yet somehow, already, so far away.
18
TWO WEEKS LATER
Valentina closed her eyes. Her entire body had been shaking as she stepped up to the altar, but her mother’s sharp prod in her back as she’d arranged her silk train reminded Valentina what was expected of her. If she’d thought she could have escaped, she would have, but she was under no illusions about what lengths her mother would go to, to ensure this marriage went ahead. But as she tried not to cry, her father’s words echoed in her mind.
You are my daughter, Valentina. One day this will all be yours. We have the same Spanish blood running through our veins, don’t you ever forget that.
She slowly opened her eyes and blinked away tears, repeating the words that were asked of her while at the same time searching for a way to honour her father. It had never been so clear to her as it was now that he’d foreseen something like this happening, that he’d understood that she was the only person who could truly fulfil his legacy. But she doubted he’d ever imagined her mother would force her into marriage, and from the estate that she’d always called home.
