Several times over the past few months, Carly had spoken to Ramon about ownership of the rancho, but he refused to discuss it. Legally, the rancho was hers, he said. It was enough for him that he and his people could return to their home.
It wasn’t enough for Carly. She meant to rectify the wrong that had been done and tonight was the perfect opportunity.
“We are almost finished, senora.” When Candelaria stepped back to survey her handiwork, Carly stood up and walked over to the cheval glass mirror.
Smoothing her full silk skirts, she surveyed her image, satisfied the décolletage of the ruffled bodice was low enough but not too low, glad that her waist looked so small, pleased with the long dark auburn ringlets Candelaria had so artfully arranged on one bare shoulder. “It’s a lovely color, don’t you think?”
“Si,senora. The same bright green as your eyes.”
“I hope Ramon will be pleased.”
Candelaria smiled. “Your husband is pleased by whatever it is that you do. I only wish I could find a man who would love me half as much as the don loves you.”
Carly felt the heat rising into her cheeks. “I hope he knows how much I love him.”
The dark-haired serving girl just smiled. Lifting a beautiful black lace mantilla that matched the trim on her dress, shehelped Caralee drape it over the high combs inlaid with mother-of-pearl that Ramon had given her as a gift earlier that evening.
“I know it’s silly, but I’m nervous. I can’t imagine why.”
“Perhaps it is because the don has planned this night especially for you.”
Carly turned to face her friend. “Do you really think so?”
“You will find out soon enough. Go now. Do not keep your impatient husband waiting any longer.”
Carly left the big master bedroom she and Ramon now shared, went down the hall and into thesala.Her handsome husband was pacing the floor in front of the window, the wide red-satin-lined bottoms of his tight black breeches flaring out over his polished black boots with each turn.
He smiled the moment he saw her. “Aye,querida…” His dark eyes shone with pleasure. “The sight of you steals my breath.”
Carly smiled softly. “I’m glad you like the gown.”
“Mostly I like the woman who is wearing it.” He raked her with a too-bold glance that made the heat creep into her cheeks. “But come, there will be time for that later. For now we have guests. Tonight isfandango!”
Together they walked out of the house onto the patio. It was decorated with colorful paper lanterns and dozens of handmade paper flowers. Streamers hung from the branches of the trees, and the tables bore garlands of roses. Musicians dressed in blackcalzonevasand shortcharrojackets stood at the end of the wooden dance floor playing a Spanish serenade.
Already the party was well underway. The Herreras, the Juarezes, the Montoyas, and dozens of others already had arrived. Don Alejandro de Estrada and the Micheltorenas had come from Monterey. Vaqueros—Two Hawkes beaming with pride that he was accepted among them—had come from ranchos as far away as San Miguel. Many still sat their horses, aswas the custom, others had dismounted and begun to join in the dancing.
Ramon’s aunt and mother were there, laughing and happy as Carly had rarely seen them. It was Tia Teresa who spoke to her first.
“It is a wonderful wedding fiesta, no?”
“Wedding fiesta?” Carly flushed. “I don’t think—”
“Si,Tia,” Ramon said with a smile, “it is a fine celebration of our marriage.”
Carly looked up at Ramon. “That’s what this is? A wedding reception?”
“Si,that is what you would call it. I wanted my neighbors and friends to meet the woman I married. Like any new husband, I wished to show off my bride.”
Carly’s throat went tight. Suddenly she understood why he had planned the evening so carefully. It was his way of letting the people he cared about know how much she meant to him. He was telling them that she was the woman he wanted. That she was an Anglo did not matter. She was now a de la Guerra, and he was proud that she was his wife.
“Thank you.” Tears rose in her eyes. Ramon must have seen them for he lifted her chin and gave her a feather-soft kiss.
“I am glad that you are pleased. I only wish I had done it long before this. Now come. There are people I wish you to meet and then I will teach you to dance La Jota.”
And so they began to mingle with their guests. Ramon proudly introduced her to the people she didn’t already know, reacquainted her with those she had already met, then they joined in the dancing.
Laughing with pleasure, they danced one song after another, Ramon patiently teaching her the steps until she was finally able to master them. Friends cracked coloredcascarones,hollow eggs filled with gold and silver tinsel scented with cologne, overtheir heads as they would have a true bride and groom, and the bits of glittery paper scattered over their hair and clothes.
