The Necklace by Carla Kelly

Author:Carla Kelly [Kelly, Carla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Romance
ISBN: 9781603813549
Google: yORrzQEACAAJ
Amazon: B08QB7YB91
Goodreads: 56686185
Publisher: CAMEL Press
Published: 2021-02-09T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

Santiago lowered his brother to the blood-drenched hay. Not looking away from Manolo, he reached up and fingered the infant’s wet hair. “Some would say I have now killed him twice,” he said. “Once twenty-two years ago, and again tonight. Will it be enough, Ana?”

“You can’t blame yourself,” she said as she cuddled Rodrigo, breathing deep of his newborn fragrance. The gentle odor calmed her.

“Others will. I will take Rodrigo back to his mother. I will tell Engracia that her husband is dead.” He shuddered and Hanneke put her arm around him.

“Let me come with you.”

“No.”

“Please, my love.”

He looked up from his contemplation of Manolo. “Say that again.”

“Please,” she teased, which made him smile.

“Do you love me?” he asked.

Did she? She chose her words most carefully. In all the noise, tumult and raw emotion since the army’s defeat, she decided to claim a little corner of peace for her husband, for herself. Whether they had years ahead or hours, she decided not to waste a moment. Their beginning had been something to forget, but it was only a beginning. She was married. She was here. She had saved his life at the river. Was he perfect? Who was?

In that moment, Hanneke Aardema Gonzalez forgave this man of the sin of being human, because she knew he was sublimely worth it. She also knew he had no more choice in the matter of their marriage than he did. The knowledge liberated her and gave her serenity, even in the middle of carnage and chaos.

“Love you? I know I do,” she said, feeling oddly shy. “You speak to me of time later on, when the land to the south is conquered, but what about right now? I love you – I choose to love you – right now.” She tucked her arm through his. “I am coming upstairs with you.”

“It won’t be good, I assure you,” he said.

“I know that, my love. Why must you face it alone?”

“Come, then.”

“One moment. Do you love me, Santiago?”

“I know I do,” he echoed with no hesitation, and a half smile. She handed him the baby.

They walked upstairs in silence. Hanneke opened the door to Engracia’s room. She walked beside her husband to the bed and knelt beside him. He laid Rodrigo in Engracia’s arms, then quietly told her what happened.

Engracia stared at him, disbelieving, as her face turned to stone. In silence, she turned away from him. “I will never look upon you again,” she whispered.

“As you wish, dear sister,” he replied. “Only know that I will protect Las Claves with my last breath so Rodrigo will inherit.”

“Liar,” she said in that stone cold voice.

He flinched and Hanneke took his arm. He helped her to her feet and glanced at Juana. “Get her and Rodrigo ready to ride.”

“She can’t possibly ride,” Juana snapped as she grabbed the baby from Engracia. “What are you saying?”

“I am telling you we have been defeated. One of my men will carry her. If Engracia remains, she will be captured.

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