Page 49 of Secrets of the Six

"Of course," I lie, but I'm quite good at making fallacies feel comforting. Now all I must do is secure an engagement.

Chapter 17

Remus

For the past two hours, she's been giggling and dancing with Rogelio Murrieta and I've been abandoned to dodge all the headstrong mothers of Orlencian high society attempting to pawn off their unwed daughters. I should be elated my plan is working. Ines has completely captivated the Murrieta heir, putting us one step closer to gaining insight in Severo's inner workings before the Soberano’s jubilee, but instead, I have an inexplicable urge to push Rogelio into the canal and watch him sink to the bottom.

I tug my fingers through my hair and mumble obscenities under my breath. What is wrong with me? I should not be obsessing over a woman I cannot and should not have. She was hired to do a job and she's doing it. End of story.

So, why do I want to tear her out of his arms and keep her all to myself?

"Oh, Don Rafael!" A familiar sing-song voice calls out from across the courtyard, stealing me from my jealous thoughts and causing my balls to shrivel up.

Sure enough, charging my direction like a determined bull set loose in the streets of Orlencia, Doña Flores stampedes toward me, dragging one of her daughters in tow. Any contemplation of escape is futile because Doña Flores is nothing short of tenacious. If I were in need of a wife, she would have worn me down and gotten her way ages ago. The last two seasons, she has offered up an eligible daughter as a potential bride and each time I've skirted by without offending her. This year, I fear she won't accept a polite no for an answer.

I will a smile to my face, wearing Don Rafael's charm like armor. "Doña Flores, how lovely to see you. Red certainly suits you." Red, in fact, does not suit her. She bears a striking resemblance to a ripe tomato, but Ines in red is an image that will visit me when I sleep. She wears red and personifies fire itself.

"The pleasure is mine as always, Don Rafael," she huffs, finally making it to my side. "Have you met my third born daughter yet?"

"I'm afraid I haven't."

Doña Flores shoves her daughter in front of me. "Allow me to introduce my daughter, Lucinda. She is quieter than her two older sisters – who are now happily married, as you well know – but I dare say, she is a far better cook and can play the violin spectacularly."

I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. "A very accomplished woman. You will make a fine wife one day, Señorita Lucinda."

She blushes but it fails to mask how intimidated she appears to be. She's overwhelmed and overstimulated; a feeling I am all too familiar with. Every season, her mother parades her of-age daughters around like prized cattle for auction.

If I was a decent man, I would marry this girl if for nothing more than to rescue her from her mother's clutches and spare her a season of humiliation. But sadly, I'm not a decent man and the poor unfortunate Lucinda will be subjected to a season of misery.

"Lucinda also loves to dance." Doña Flores spears onward in pitching the third-born of her six daughters. "Not as passionately as Señorita Lozano, but I do believe you would find Lucinda to be an amiable partner."

I can almost taste the poison seeping from her lips and resist the urge to remind her of her place. Instead, I offer a sympathetic glance Lucinda's way. "I am sure you are a wonderful dancing partner, Señorita – "

"Oh, you simply must dance with her Don Rafael!" The Doña elbows me in the ribs and wiggles her eyebrows. "You know what they say about dancing."

Denying the Doña's request would bring me immeasurable joy, especially with her crude innuendo, but watching the life fade from doe-eyed Lucinda makes me pause. One dance with her could have the same effect for her that it did for Ines and Rogelio. The dancing wouldn't be near the same in passion, but for Lucinda it would show other eligible bachelors she is desirable and could lead to a potential match.

Damnit. Maybe I have a heart after all.

I iron the frown from my face and grin, offering Lucinda my arm. "Would you honor me with a dance?"

Instantly, her face brightens and for the first time all night, she smiles. "It would be my pleasure, Don Rafael."

Arm-in-arm, I escort her to the dance floor and join other couples in the bolero. It's slower and not as attention-seeking as the paso doble, which I think suits Lucinda just fine. The music flares and each couple moves, performing in unison the popular routine. As Doña Flores promised, her daughter is an amiable partner, knowing all the steps and moving with grace and elegance.

"You must forgive my mother, Don Rafael," she says softly as we sway to the music. "She is pushy, but I do believe she means well."

"There is no need to apologize. I took no offense," I reassure her and enjoy watching the tension in her shoulders release.

"Thank you for your kindness despite my mother pressuring you into dancing with me."

I shake my head and gently squeeze her hand. "If I did not want to dance, I would have denied her request. Listen," I lean closer and say softly so others will not overhear, "You are a beautiful and accomplished young woman. I meant what I said earlier about you making a fine wife one day. I might not be in the market for a bride, but I assure you, when our dance is over, you'll be occupied the rest of the evening."

She slides her eyes up to meet mine. "How can you be so sure?"

Sensing I'm being watched, I glance across the courtyard and am surprised Ines is eyeing me as Rogelio whispers sweet nothings in her ear.

"Trust me," I say, though my gaze is still pinned on Ines.