Untamed Fire Read online

  And Gaby did. She felt his strength, his power, and something else that she hadn’t felt before... his love.

  ~~~

  Raphael spent most of the morning cloistered in his study with Felipe and Padre Jose, attempting to make some sense of the whole mess.

  “I tell you she’s my daughter,” Felipe demanded for the hundredth time. “I can feel it.”

  “There is always the possibility,” Padre Jose agreed and added. “God does work in strange ways.”

  Rafael rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand, trying to ease the ache. “And you say Dona Isabel feels as you do?”

  “Of course she does, and what difference would it make if she didn’t? She’s my wife. She obeys me,” Felipe stated irritably as though Rafael was a child who needed reminding.

  Rafael shook his head. He could just imagine what Gaby would have to say about that. “It is possible that the cross was stolen and placed—”

  “Nonsense.” Felipe cut him off with a wave of his hand. “The twins are my daughters and I want them reunited so you may marry Annabelle, and Calida may return to Spain with me.”

  Rafael suddenly became defensive. “How in heaven’s name will you be able to tell the twins apart after all these years?”

  To Rafael’s surprise, Felipe blushed. “I’ll tell you later when we’re alone.”

  “I could leave,” the padre offered.

  “No. No, I insist we make the necessary arrangements now to bring the other girl here,” Felipe said.

  “Can you arrange that, Padre?” Rafael asked, curious to speak with Felipe later and discover how he could put his mind to rest once and for all about which twin Gaby supposedly was.

  “Yes, I can take care of that,” he agreed.

  “Good,” Felipe said, standing. “How long will it be before she arrives?”

  “I’m not certain, a week perhaps two weeks. I don’t even know if she still lives there, or if she’s married, in which case her husband will decide if she can come.”

  “Make certain she is aware that there is a large sum of money involved if she comes,” Felipe said with a smile. “Money always talks, especially to peons. And of course, Padre, if she is married to a peasant the church will have it absolved.”

  It wasn’t a question. It was a command, and the padre nodded his consent.

  The show of such blatant power with disregard to anyone but what Felipe wanted irritated Rafael. The man didn’t care if the other twin was married and loved her husband or had children with him. Felipe’s only thought was to take her away from the only life she had known and the people who loved her.

  Suddenly Rafael couldn’t stand being in the room with him any longer. He wanted to find Gaby, see how she was, hold her tight and never let her go.

  “The noonday meal should be ready. Let us eat,” Rafael said, standing and forcing the other two men to do the same.

  They walked toward the courtyard, the sound of excited voices drifting back at them.

  “This is ridiculous. She cannot serve the meal,” Dona Isabel screeched.

  “Gaby, please change into the clothes that were left in the room next to mine and join us,” Dona Maria directed as calmly as possible.

  Gaby continued to serve the fruit salad. “I cannot do that.”

  “I order you to do it,” Dona Isabel yelled.

  “I do not take orders from you,” Gaby responded.

  “If not from your mother then from whom?” Dona Isabel angrily demanded.

  “From me,” Rafael said quietly, but with great authority.

  Dona Isabel turned a stinging look on him.

  Rafael’s hot blue eyes sent a chilling threat her way and Dona Isabel immediately took her seat.

  “Felipe,” Isabel said more calmly. “Please see to this.”

  “Don Felipe,” Rafael said, preventing the man from speaking. “I have great respect for you, but this is my home and my word is law here.”

  Felipe nodded. “Then I request, out of respect for my wife’s feelings, and as you yourself agreed last evening, that Gaby’s position in your household be changed.”

  Rafael was reluctant to agree, but felt he had no choice. “Gaby you will do as my mother asks and then join us. And from this moment on you shall be a guest of the hacienda.”

  “No!” Her statement was so abrupt and final that all eyes turned to her.

  Rafael tried to remain calm. “I know this is upsetting, but it’s for the best.”

  “No!” she said more emphatically.

  Rafael tried hard, very hard, to remain calm. “You will do as I say, Gaby.”

  “I will not!”

  “You will too!”

  “You can’t make me.”

  “Yes, I can.”

  Gaby slammed the platter of fruit down, sending the sweet slices flying across the table. She placed her hands on her hips and swung her head up, sending her long braid flying behind her back.

  “Then make me.”

  Rafael’s hands were clenched at his sides. He had to remember there was a possibility she was a Galvez and not plain Gaby Alvardo, and treat her as such.

  “Well?” she taunted. That was it, she did it this time.

  Rafael descended on her like a raging bull, fists clenched, nostrils flared.

  Gaby refused to back down and show her fright. She stood her ground, even though she trembled.

  “You can’t—”

  The wind was knocked out of her in an instant as he hoisted her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

  “I can and I will!” Rafael stated firmly, his arm hooked securely beneath her rear.

  “I must protest my daughter’s treatment,” Felipe said, standing away from the chair he had just sat in next to his wife.

  Dona Isabel nodded. “I must agree with my husband. She may act like a peon, but that is no reason to treat her as one. After all, she doesn’t know any better.”

  Rafael didn’t have to see Gaby’s face to know she was about to speak. He prevented her response with whispered words of warning. “Open your mouth and your backside will feel the sting of my hand.”

  To Dona Isabel he spoke with a little less harshness, but just as much authority. “She does know better and if,” —he paused for a moment not believing his own words—“she does turn out to be my betrothed, then she better learn to be obedient.”

  Gaby opened her mouth, but Rafael knew her too well. He whispered only one word this time, but with enough force to still her. “Don’t!”

  “Rafael, I protest adamantly your uncivilized actions,” Felipe argued.

  “Yes, really, Rafael,” Dona Maria reprimanded. “Your manners—”

  “Have been sorely tested,” he finished and walked out of the room.

  “Lupe!” he shouted as he walked down the hall toward the room that had been prepared for Gaby to use.

  The plump woman scurried after him, hurrying along behind and watching Gaby’s face grow red with anger with each step he took.

  He threw her on the bed and directed his orders to Lupe, ignoring the angry glare Gaby gave him. “Make certain she dresses appropriately, then have her join us in the courtyard. We shall hold the meal for her.”

  He left the room without even glancing at her.

  “How dare he—”

  “He is the don of this hacienda. He can dare to do anything,” Lupe reminded her. “Now calm yourself and think of him.”

  “Think of him?”

  “Yes, him,” she repeated and began to help Gaby undress with more than a bit reluctance on her part. “He is in a difficult situation. And he needs you to help him, to help both of you. Think of what this could mean for you. There may actually be a chance for you to become his wife.”

  Gaby sighed and dropped to the bed. The pale blue dress hung half off, half on her. “Oh, Lupe, I would love to be his wife, but I want him to love and marry me, Gaby Alvardo, not Annabelle Galvez.”

  Lupe took Gaby’s face in the palms of her hands.
“Nina, we take what God gives us. If you can have Don Rafael no way but this, you would turn him down?”

  Gaby tried to understand what the older woman was saying. Did she love him enough to accept him anyway she could? Or would she allow her foolish pride and romantic notions to lose him. After all, she didn’t have a choice, but a nagging voice kept reminding her that Rafael did.

  ~~~

  Gaby stood uncomfortably still in the archway, reluctant to approach the people whom yesterday considered her a servant. She didn’t like the feel of the blue dress she wore. It was too confining, being tight across her breasts and down her slim waist where the blue silk gave way to mounds of blue lace. Her feet protested their pinched confinement while her arms itched from the lace of the long sleeves that ended at each wrist. She didn’t care for a noblewoman’s clothes and she didn’t think she ever would.

  Rafael saw her before the others. In the instant his eyes caught her standing there, he realized that he loved Gaby Alvardo, the free-spirited peasant girl that had stolen his heart. Not Annabelle Galvez, the noble beauty who stood before him.

  Felipe jumped from his seat and walked to her, extending his arm. “Please join us, my dear.”

  Gaby looked to Rafael, waiting for his approval. He understood instantly that the change for her was difficult. She was accustomed to commands, although she rarely obeyed them, and with a smile he nodded.

  “Come, sit next to me,” Isabel said, patting the chair beside her.

  Gaby took it, content that it was to the right of where Rafael sat at the head of the table.

  Dona Isabel told her stories of when the twins were babies and the plans Felipe and she had for them. And now with the help of God, if Gaby and the other girl should prove to be her daughters, their plans would finally be fulfilled.

  Gaby found her nonsensical talk disturbing. It wasn’t possible that this woman could be her mother. She was so cold, so uncaring of anything except what she desired. Not once had she asked Gaby about herself, her family here, her childhood. No, she couldn’t believe this self-serving woman was her mother.

  Elena began serving the meals, placing slices of fowl smothered in green chili sauce on each plate. Gaby watched her, longing to join her and Lupe in the cookhouse instead of being seated there.

  Her stomach agreed with her. She tried to ignore its protest, but when Elena placed the slice of meat on her plate and added extra chili sauce, knowing how much she enjoyed it, her stomach revolted.

  Gaby stood, looked at Rafael and blurted out, “Excuse me,” before running from the courtyard. She made it to the cookhouse where Lupe helped her as her stomach rid itself of its contents.

  “Too much excitement,” Lupe said, shaking her head and wiping Gaby’s face with a damp cloth.

  “Is she all right?” Rafael asked, standing in the doorway, a worried frown marring his handsome features.

  Gaby felt the sudden urge to run to him and throw herself into his arms. The feeling was so strong that it made her stomach rumble again and she moaned.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Rafael demanded, stepping into the room.

  “Last night and today, I think, have been too much for her,” Lupe suggested.

  “She should rest,” he said.

  “I will see to it,” Lupe responded.

  Gaby watched him turn to go and stop for a moment as though reluctant, then he proceeded toward the door. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt a desperate, aching need to have him near her and before she even realized she had spoken, his name slipped from her lips. “Rafael.”

  Her plea was soft yet urgent, and he responded. He motioned for Lupe to leave them. He bent down beside where she sat at the table. Tears lay unshed on the brim of her long dark lashes, and her face was ashen.

  He didn’t speak. He stood, pulled her chair away from the table, and lifted her into his arms. He carried her out of the cookhouse and around the back of the buildings so no one would see that he was taking her to his quarters.

  He kicked the door closed behind him and carried her to his bed. He remained silent the whole time he stripped her of her clothes and slipped the light cotton blanket over her.

  He sat beside her on the bed, stroking her face so tenderly that it made Gaby feel sleepy and safe.

  “Rest, querida, I will stay with you.”

  “Forever,” she asked softly as her eyelids drifted closed.

  “Forever,” he whispered and kissed her cheek.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  “Gaby will not be joining us this evening,” Rafael informed his guests when he returned to the supper table. “She isn’t feeling well and has retired early to her room.”

  “Perhaps I should look in on her later?” Dona Maria suggested.

  “I’m sure she would appreciate your thoughtfulness, Mother, but Lupe gave the servants explicit instructions not to disturb her. Headache, I believe, is what Lupe mentioned she suffered from.”

  “Oh my, that is dreadful. That can be so debilitating and rest is the sure and only cure for it,” Dona Maria agreed.

  Rafael didn’t demonstrate his relief. He had hoped his mother, and guests as well, would accept his excuse for her absence without questions. Otherwise he would have a tremendous amount of explaining to do if they discovered she was snuggled soundly in his bed. And that was where he intended her to stay for the remainder of the evening.

  “Tomorrow, Maria, we shall discuss Rafael and Annabelle’s wedding plans,” Dona Isabel said with a distinct air of authority.

  “I would like to explain the matter to Louisa Ortega before any announcements are made. She is owed an explanation since she had assumed, as I and her father had, that Rafael and she would marry,” Dona Maria said, folding her napkin on her lap.

  “They weren’t officially engaged, were they?” Isabel asked.

  “No, but—”

  “Then she is owed nothing,” Isabel said, dismissing her request.

  “She is owed something and if these twins turn out not be your daughters, then I don’t wish to see Rafael’s chances for a good marriage ruined—if he so chooses to marry Louisa,” Dona Maria retaliated.

  “You are perfectly right, Maria,” Felipe joined in. “This matter must be handled correctly so that no one suffers.”

  “Perhaps I can soothe Louisa’s distraught state by taking her riding or on a picnic,” Ignacio offered.

  “Do you really think that wise?” Isabel asked, seemingly annoyed by the suggestion.

  Rafael remained silent, listening. He was surprised by what he heard, not the words so much, but the feelings behind them. He could hear a sense of frustration in Isabel’s voice, as though all this was an irritant, the sooner settled the better. There was no happiness or love in her words for her supposedly long-lost daughters. She also didn’t care for the idea of Ignacio escorting Louisa anywhere. But it was his mother’s tone that held his interest the most. He could hear her protective instinct for him and something else he wasn’t certain of but felt. She wanted happiness and contentment for him and the decision of who he shared his future with was ultimately his. She would accept the woman he chose for his wife no matter who she was.

  “I think his offer generous,” Felipe said, and Isabel remained silent, although annoyed.

  “Tell me, Felipe,” Rafael said, wanting to learn more about the twins’ abduction. “Did you ever discover the reason for your daughters’ disappearance?”

  Felipe swirled the dark red wine in his glass as he spoke in a contemplative tone. “I often ask myself why they were taken. Who would do such a thing? There was never any demand for ransom.” He shook his head. “It made no sense and I kept asking myself time and again, why?”

  “There are many sick people in the world,” Isabel said, comforting her husband. “Do not torment yourself.”

  “I cannot help it. They were mere babies, my babies and as their father I failed to protect them,” Felipe insisted.

  Rafael empathized with Felipe. The
y should have been protected better, so no harm would have come to them. No harm. No harm did come to them, if the twin girls proved to be the Galvez twins. That would mean the babies were abducted and brought to this new land and protected. The reason then for their abduction would have been for safety... but safety from whom?

  The conversation continued on around Rafael. He appeared as though he was listening to those at the table, nodding every now and then, but his thoughts were far removed.

  His mind began to piece things together. Had someone purposely brought the twins to the mission and requested the padres see to their care? Had that person had their best interest at heart, or had he been instructed to do so until a future date? Would someone benefit from their disappearance and reappearance, or had someone been trying to save them?

  Rafael pushed the food around on his plate with his fork. If the girls were in danger twenty years ago, then it was possible they were in danger again. He thought of Gaby’s recent attack and then recalled the small “accidents” she had so lightly dismissed. When he had questioned the boys, they had admitted to only one prank against her, but adamantly denied the others.

  He sat straight and stiff in his chair. Was it possible? Could Gaby be in danger? Could someone be trying to harm her? The thought made him seethe with anger and want to protect her all the more.

  Rafael spoke with a strong air of authority. “Felipe, I wish to speak with you in my study after the meal.”

  If his guests thought the demanding summons inappropriate, they didn’t comment. They continued their idle chatter.

  Rafael found his companions’ company almost unbearable. He was anxious to settle this matter once and for all. He would insist that Felipe explain to him how the twins could be distinguished. At least then he would know if Gaby was his intended, or if he was going to have to face the problem of breaking the betrothal contract. Also, Padre Pablo would be arriving soon. Rafael had no doubt that he could persuade the priest to reveal all he knew about the twin’s abandonment at the mission.

  The meal seemed to drag on endlessly until Rafael couldn’t stand it another minute. He stood, throwing his napkin on his plate. “Don Felipe, now, if you please,” he said and walked from the room, leaving the man no choice but to follow.