The Spaniard's Innocent Maiden by Greta Gilbert

Author:Greta Gilbert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

The wall protecting the border of Tlaxcala Territory was nine feet high and twenty paces wide. It stretched across the mouth of the river valley in three leagues of fitted stone. The Spanish–Totonac army had finally reached the home of the fierce Tlaxcalans, whom Cortés planned to rally to his cause.

Cortés guided his men through an open gate, then up an empty road that paralleled the river, increasing the speed of their march. Benicio began to wonder why not a single Tlaxcalan had yet come out to greet them. It was widely known that the Tlaxcalans refused to submit to Montezuma. Surely they would embrace the idea of joining with the Spanish and the Totonacs to invade the Mexica capital?

Benicio studied the quiet forest. Something was amiss.

He stepped out of formation, pretending to relieve himself on the side of the road. As the other men passed, he wrestled with the wraps of his cotton armour, pretending to be busy as the women’s company approached.

He spotted Tula immediately. She walked next to Marina at the head of the entourage, her hair tied in two smart braids, her heavy skirts flouncing. There was a flower tucked behind her ear—a flower, by God!—and she appeared to be laughing, as if sharing some private joke with Marina.

Benicio bristled. This was no time to be laughing and wearing flowers. Marina of all people should know that this land of Tlaxcala was not safe. Cortés should not have taken their company a step beyond the gate without assurances of peace from the Tlaxcalan rulers. This valley was nothing but a trap.

Benicio jumped out from the side of the road and pulled Tula aside. ‘You must stay here,’ he commanded. ‘Until I know that it is safe.’ There was a wave of scandalous chatter as the other women passed and Malinali motioned to Tula to rejoin them.

But Benicio would not allow Tula to continue onwards. He might not have served in any army, but something inside him knew that there was danger up ahead. It was as if he could smell it.

Tula shook her head. She shrugged off his hold in frustration and made to rejoin the women, who were practically trotting now to keep up with the increased speed of the men’s march.

‘No,’ Benicio commanded. He pulled her by the arm back to his side and pointed down the bank towards the river. ‘You stay here, where it is safe. Stay near the river.’ How could he explain to her that he was trying to protect her, that the women were wrong and that he was right?

He could not even begin to try, for once again she had slid her slender arm right out of his grasp. She hurried to catch up with the other women, who had disappeared around a sharp curve. Benicio sighed. He was not proud of what he was about to do.

He jumped to his feet and broke into his fastest run, reaching her well before she was able to disappear around the bend and rejoin the others.

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