Page 54 of Bride By Mistake
East was the way to Valle Verde.
She said nothing. If he’d mistaken the direction, she didn’t want to let him know.
They moved at a steady walk, the lame horse slowing them down. She rode with her arms around his waist, her cheek resting against his back. He was warm and strong, and despite his anger with her, she felt very safe.
He’d been furious, but he hadn’t beaten her. She openly disobeyed him, left him, and yet he’d barely touched her, only gripped her shoulders quite hard, glared at her, and then let go.
According to the teachings of the Church, husbands had the right to beat disobedient wives, and when he’d grabbed her like that, she was sure he was going to shake her till her teeth rattled. At the very least. But he hadn’t.
A small bubble of hope blossomed inside her. He hadn’t wanted to be married to her; had tried to annul the marriage. He could have left her to her fate, and yet he’d come all this way after her.
Despite the impression she’d tried to give him, she was under no illusion of the dangers involved in her journey back to Valle Verde. Better he thought her young and naive than that she assessed the risks and found them acceptable.
Travel in Spain was as dangerous now as it had been in the war—maybe more so, because it wasn’t as easy to tell whose side anyone was on. She’d scanned the road ahead, glanced frequently back the way she came, and checked the hills above her. She’d skirted around towns and villages rather than ride through them, and hidden from every traveler before she could be seen, taking constant reassurance from the pistol at her waistband, even as she prayed she wouldn’t have to use it.
A husband who truly wished to be rid of an unwanted wife would have washed his hands of her and let her risk herself.
Luke Ripton had ridden after her, made a long, rough, and difficult journey through unknown territory, sidesaddle, risking ridicule, as well as danger. It might only be a strong dislike of being disobeyed, but still, Bella couldn’t help but see it as a positive sign.
She hugged him tighter, breathing in the smell of him. She remembered it from when she was a young girl, when they’d first met. He’d ridden to her rescue then, and he was still doing it now.
The moon was higher now. Its cold light silvered the rooftops and turret of a building that looked familiar. As they rode closer, she recognized it.
“El Castillo de Rasal!” she exclaimed.
“Eh?”
“That castle—it’s the Castillo de Rasal, the home of the Marqués de Rasal,” she said excitedly. “I did not realize we were so close. Themarquésis—was an old friend of my father’s. I’ve known him since I was a little girl. We can stay the night there.” She felt a surge of pleasure at the prospect of seeing someone from her past after so long. Themarquéshad always been very kind to Bella.
“He might not be ali—home.”
He’d been going to say themarquésmight not be alive, she thought. “It doesn’t matter. His servants will remember me and offer us hospitality, I know.” Her stomach rumbled. “He keeps a very fine cook, too—thecastillois renowned for it.”
He didn’t respond.
Bella burbled happily on. “You can’t see them in the dark, but the estate has very fine vineyards—the wines of Castillo de Rasal are drunk all over Spain. I came here several times with my father when I was young. Thecastillois a medieval castle, you understand, very ancient and inconvenient, though parts of it are quite beautiful. You will enjoy seeing it in the daylight.” She rubbed her cheek against his coat. “You know, I thought I would have to sleep tonight on the ground, or under a bridge, and instead we will sleep in a castle.”
She felt him stiffen. “Under a bridge?”
“I had no money for an inn.”
He snorted but said nothing more. They came to a tall stone gateway.
“That’s the driveway,” Bella said. “Turn off here.”
He took no notice. They passed the gateway.
She hit him lightly on the shoulder. “Stop! You missed it! The turnoff is back there.”
“We’re not staying there.”
“But why not? I told you, themarquésis an old family friend. He’d be delighted to see me again, I know it.”
“No.”
Bella could hardly believe her ears. “But why not? It’s a wonderful place to stay.”
No answer.
