Page 58 of The Taste of Light
"What would you say to your perfect suitor if you went to your marriage bed deflowered?"
Playfulness gone, she wilted before his eyes. "I understand."
Chest hollow, he extended his hand, needing to hunt back the words, but she flinched as if he had attempted to strike her.
"You have made your point clearly enough." Her voice trembled like the lamplight. "Good night."
Chapter 28
SaintAnthony’sChurchhadmore flies than believers on this hot Wednesday afternoon. Below the Nossa Senhora image, the choir boys practiced theRequiem das Lágrimas. A falsetto voice rose above the others, mournful notes climbing the granite walls.
As a good Christian, Gabriel shouldn't stay near. A purple cloth hung from the door, and the side curtain was closed. All signs Santiago was inside, entertaining, so to speak. But what could take so long? He had already prayed to the Saint's effigy and counted the mosaic of the crosier's floor. Still, no one came out. This one must have a heavy conscience.
Gabriel tugged at the intricate knots of his neckcloth. At least one advantage of being an officer—the uniform was more practical than these bothersome civilian clothes.
The velvet curtains rustled, and a slender woman emerged. Face hidden under a black veil, she bustled past him. Before the drapery settled, he pushed inside, kneeling on the miniature pew. Stuffy and dark, the cramped space had incense and mold embedded in the scrolled oak. Why force the sinners to sit in such a depressing box? If it depended on him, he would redesign the whole concept. An open ceiling and better seating accommodations would do wonders for a man's soul.
The latticed partition wouldn't allow for visual contact, but a shuffling on the other side alerted Gabriel of his presence.
"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."
A heavy sigh. "When will you heed my advice, Gabriel, and just tell your father?"
Gabriel fisted his hands. "Were you not supposed to listen first, Santiago?"
"Not when your confessor already knows your sins."
"Well, not this time," Gabriel said, his voice rough.
"What changed?"
"Have you ever questioned your choice? After Mozambique? You were the regiment's best scout..."
"It was a blessing to relinquish this earth's grievances, to rise above lies and sins."
Gabriel hadn’t wanted to be a soldier until he had to become one. "You are happy, then? In the church?"
"I am content. But I assume you didn't come here to speak of my vocation."
Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose. "There were new developments in the king's attempt investigations." The recitation sounded distant and brassy. "Pedro is not guilty."
After realizing Pedro had slipped from the siege back in the north, Gabriel had gone straight to the crime scene and uncovered a trail of bribes. The witness's written confession awaited in his saddlebags to clear Pedro's name. Before he could impart the news to the king, the doomed message had arrived. Gabriel touched the crude paper and contained the impulse to rip it off.
Silence on the other side. A dry cough. "It doesn't surprise me."
"You too? I thought only my father could not believe Pedro, the great promise of our time, of any wrongdoing." Gabriel spat the words and cursed under his breath.
"When will you surmount this old hate?" Santiago chanted, the disembodied voice sounding like a warning from the heavens.
How could one forget growing up under Pedro's shadow? He’d been the best sword fighter, the best horseman, the best student... How could Gabriel compete? Pedro was better than a son—he was a godson. "I try. For the past ten years, this lie has occupied my every hour. Ten years living in fear of Father discovering, ten years pondering the effect I had on Pedro's life, ten years wishing I hadn’t spoken those words."
"Then tell your father the truth."
"I can't."
Santiago exhaled loudly. "You mistake me. I always knew Pedro had a dark side, but I've read the newspaper. The shooter missed the target. Pedro wouldn't have failed."
Gabriel shifted his weight, his knees protesting the hardwood. "Do you remember how he became impossible after receiving the command of our battalion? Decided to order us like a grand marshal."
