The Red Citadel by Michael Lynes

Author:Michael Lynes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;Spanish Inquisition;Historical Mystery;Historical Suspense;Spain;Vatican;Italy;Michael M Lynes;Philosophy and Religion;Religious Spiritual Fiction
Publisher: Romaunce Books | Publishers of Iconic Romantic Fiction.
Published: 2023-11-03T13:45:32+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

‘WHEN THE KING SAID THAT YOUR,’ Isabel said glancing at Alejandro, ‘testimony provided reasonable doubt as to your,’ she looked at her father, ‘guilt I couldn’t believe it. And when he released you I’ve never felt such a sense of relief.’

It was an hour after the court had declared Isaac free. Cisneros had insisted that this be conditional on the result of further investigations. The queen supported his demand, and the king had no choice but to agree. Alonso had also gotten what he wanted. The queen declared herself so moved by Bartolome’s contrition and Alonso’s forgiveness that she decreed it was only fair to free Andreas. Nobody dared challenge the garbled logic of this. Isaac assumed the king would be relieved his wife had found a way to exert her power.

They had returned to Isaac’s apartment, having decided it was too dangerous to discuss the matter anywhere else. The Inquisition’s spies were everywhere. Isaac was propped up on the bed, exhausted. Isabel sat next to him dabbing his brow with a washcloth. Alejandro stood with his back to the door. ‘And the pair of you,’ Isabel said, ‘should be utterly ashamed of yourselves.’

Alejandro exchanged a glance with each of them and burst out laughing. Isaac and Isabel immediately joined in.

‘The very idea of you in a brothel, Papa,’ Isabel said once she’d controlled herself.

He gave her a stern look and raised an eyebrow.

She held his gaze and raised a brow in return.

They smiled.

‘It was a brilliant story though,’ she said.

Alejandro bowed with a flourish of his arm.

Isaac said, ‘As Cisneros and Ferdinand both suspected.’

‘It suited His Majesty to believe it,’ Alejandro said. ‘He doesn’t want you dead, Isaac. If nothing else, he’s amused by your escapades.’

Isaac gave him a mock, deadpan scowl.

‘If he’d called me a liar in public he would have had to declare me a traitor and execute me as well.’ Alejandro’s face tightened and his tone became more serious. ‘There are still dark days ahead of us. The rebels must respond to the burnings and Cisneros won’t stop, especially when he has the queen on his side. His Majesty needs the support of every loyal man in the Kingdom. And whatever else he might say about you, Isaac, he knows he has your loyalty.’

‘But at least someone’s happy,’ Isabel said.

‘Who?’ Isaac and Alejandro chorused.

‘Alonso. Andreas has been released.’

Isaac shook his head in disgust.

‘We should be happy for them, Papa. They share a genuine love.’

‘Love?’ Alejandro asked sardonically.

‘It is possible for two men to love each other chastely,’ Isabel said, smiling at each of them. They did not look at each other.

‘Anyway … ,’ Isaac said, ‘I have to tell you both something,’

They regarded him intently.

‘About Torquemada’s death.’ He inhaled deeply and let his words tumble out as he exhaled, ‘I was at the convent on September 16th, the night Torquemada died. In his bedchamber.’

Isabel stopped dabbing his brow with the washcloth and screwed up her face in anguish.

Alejandro stood at the end of the bed and stared darkly down at Isaac.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.