THE AMBUSCADE - PART 2

By Eliza
elizawpg@shaw.ca

Disclaimers and Notes in Part 1

From the moment she had stepped from the coach, Luis had been reminding himself of the dangers of involving himself with another member of this family.  The problem was that she had all of her parents' best qualities, and all of their worst.  The best ones made him respectful and wary of her intelligence and confidence.  The worst ones made him want to throw her on the bed and fuck her until she begged him to stop or begged him for more -- depending on his mood.  And the bed was rarely necessary for the scenario.

And here she was, again playing the spoiled brat and indignant lady, in his bedroom this time, daring to try to hit him . . .  again. . . then looking up at him from her father's deep, dark eyes and parting soft lips, so like her mother's, before taunting him -- daring him -- to do . . .  something.  If she had just spoken, he was sure that he would have reacted differently, but her light touch brought back a flood of remembered sensations -- his course was set.

After a few more bruising kisses, he pulled back to look at her. Her eyes were searching his face, as if trying to figure out what he was thinking.  Luis saw just enough fear in hers for his annoyance to subside, but that didn't mean that he was going to be nice.  He let go of her wrists and stepped back. He pulled his shirt off over his head. As she looked at him, a small smile started to appear on her lips.  "Now it's your turn," he prompted.

Kat's smile widened and she slowly undid the buttons of her blouse, eventually letting it fall from of her shoulders.

Luis narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the sight.  "Hardly a fair trade."  Kat was still in her corset and chemise.

"But the skirt has to come off first,"  Kat explained.

"Proceed.  The whole town has already seen this much of you."

He could see that Kat was going to protest, but she stopped as she realized the truth in the statement. Her ball gown had revealed as much.  Her hands went to the back of her skirt and she curved her spine as much as she could in the whalebone.  Luis shook his head at the blatant attempt at enticement, but he could not resist the sight that followed. As her attention was taken by trying to undo knots by touch and her posture relaxed, the tip of her tongue appeared between her lips.

He moved in -- just close enough to brush her lips with his.  She started to giggle as he distracted her with tiny kisses over her cheeks and jaw, but she continued her chore.  She let out a cry of success as her skirt and petticoat fell to the floor and her arms came up to embrace him.  Luis stood straight, not allowing her to pull him to her.  He started to work on the hooks closing the front of her corset.  She was not lacing it tightly so it was easy to release the tiny fastenings.  He had worked his way half way up from the bottom when his patience ran out; putting both hands on her rib cage, he squeezed, popping the rest of the hooks out of the eyes - except for the top two.

Kat smirked at him and said, "Keep it there."  She made a show of running her fingers along the top of the corset, demonstrating the suppleness of the flesh under her fingers, then slowly sliding her thumbs into her cleavage before grasping the corset to release the final two fastenings.

Again she reached up to pull him close, and this time he allowed it.  He made sure that she was fully engaged in the kiss, then he captured her wrists again.  Kat tried to pull back from the kiss, but Luis had her wrists trapped at the small of her back and held her hips against his.  As she tried to retreat, he followed, arching her back so that she was fully supported by his arms and had no choice but to submit to the attention of his mouth. . . at least until her knee came up.  It didn't reach its target but the action distracted Luis enough for her to twist her mouth out from under his.

"You ill-bred bully. Let me go!"  Kat was fighting in earnest; the fear was gone from her face - she was furious.  Her struggles were producing a pleasant friction against his steadily growing erection and he easily felt  the warmth of her through her silk chemise.   Another stamp of her foot reminded Luis of where he was most vulnerable -- he was barefoot, she still had her boots on.  Some distance would be prudent.  He let her go suddenly and moved to a nearby chair where he make himself comfortable.

Kat fell against the bed, her feet tangled in her skirts.  She impatiently kicked the clothes away and glared at Luis, her eyes narrowing as she considered the relaxed form on the chair in front of her. Then she went to work on the laces of her boots.  He made a point of keeping his expression impassive, but he was pleased by this sign that she was not going to leave.  It was an attractive picture. She had raised her foot to the bed frame and detached her stocking from her pantalets, rolling it down to remove it with the boot.  Some of her hair had escaped its ribbon and fell over her shoulders, effectively blocking what could have been an impressive view of her chest.  This was fortunate; otherwise Luis might have been too distracted to avoid the boot that she hurled at his head with surprising accuracy.

By the time Luis picked himself up off the floor, Kat had removed the other boot and was raking her fingers through her hair to remove the ineffective ribbon.  Both were added to growing pile of clothing in the center of the room.  As he slowly moved toward her, an evil, little smile appeared on her face and she taunted, "Do you think we could actually do it properly this time?"

Luis was stunned for a moment.  He couldn't believe the temerity of this child -- this beautiful, passionate, insightful, stubborn child -- who refused to acknowledge that anyone else could have the upper hand. . . and who was fully capable of destroying him with her impulsiveness alone. He kept forgetting how dangerous she could be. But she kept forgetting that he was not one of her ignorant, impressionable gallants who would fall all over themselves to fulfill her every whim. It was time to remind her.

"Forgive me, Katerina. It has been a long time since I have entertained a. . . lady." Luis kept the tone sarcastic enough for Kat not to be too suspicious of his acquiescence.

She narrowed her eyes at him, her distrust obvious. But something else was overriding her common sense, for she eventually said, "I am not being entertained," and she indicated his trousers.

He met her gaze and grinned, as his hands went to the fastenings on his trousers.  To be fair, for every button he released, she undid a ribbon on her chemise. By the time his trousers had fallen to the floor, her chemise was open. He stepped forward, out of his clothes, and brushed the garment off her shoulders before taking her face in his hands and kissing her.  It was a soft kiss, a gentle exploration of her mouth. He allowed her hands the same liberty with his body and let her deepen the kiss as she wished.  He kept his hands near her face, until he felt the tension of her wariness of him start to dissipate, then he moved them to her back, carefully holding her against him.  He could feel the press of her breasts against his chest, the swell of her belly against his own, the friction of his cock against. . . cloth.

He started tugging playfully at the material she wore, until he felt her smile against his lips. Then he broke the kiss and moved behind her. He kept contact by nuzzling at her neck and allowing his hands to explore the curves he had just felt pressed against him.   He tested the weight of her heavy breast in the palm of one hand as he ran his other hand down her flank to her hip. His hands eventually met at the gentle rise of her belly where the ribbon that held up her pantalets was tied.  She reached up behind her, but he intercepted her hand before she could touch whatever she was searching for.  He placed a kiss on her palm as the last of her clothing fell to the floor.

Kat stepped out of the garment, kicking it into the pile, as she turned toward Luis.  For a moment, she faced the bed and it was in that instant that Luis gave her a hard shove.  She landed face down, her hands spread wide in an effort to break her fall.  It was easy for him to lean over her back and grasp both wrists to bring them once more to the small of her back.

"Luis! What do you think you are doing?"

Luis was impressed by how imperious she could sound with her voice muffled by the mattress.  He ran his free hand from the curve of a round hip, over a buttock and down the back of a thigh. "You wanted it done properly.  Well, this is doing it properly with a woman that you do not trust not to stab you in the back."

"Don't be bloody ridiculous!"  Kat writhed and fought the grip he had on her wrists.

"Why are you here, Kat?  And don't say to see me; you could have honored me with a visit any time in the past three weeks." Kat didn't answer except with continued struggles.  Luis stood upright behind her, his effort to keep her pinned made easier by virtue of her awkward position. She surged back, trying to get some leverage to raise her body, but she only succeeded in bringing her soft behind in close contact with his hard penis. His cock found a resting place between her cheeks, and he could feel the hot, wet evidence of her own arousal against his scrotum.

Kat froze for an instant then started to squirm again, but with a different purpose.  Luis leaned over her back and whispered, "You're a little hypocrite."

She managed to toss her hair out of her face and looked over her shoulder. "Of course I am. I'm a lady."

For some reason that Luis didn't want to examine too closely, that statement sent heat straight to his groin. His grip on her wrists was token as he moved her forward slightly so that the head of his cock could rub the pink folds, bathing in the slick fluid.  He could feel Kat's impatience, which is why he took his time.  At first, just the head teased her opening;  he would retreat at the first sign of friction, but every thrust would bring him further into her.  By the time he was easily halfway in he had let go of her wrists, and was making use of his hands to caress her thighs and buttocks and to make long sweeps down her back.  Kat had moved her legs together.  This changed the angle as well as the tightness if her grip on his cock.  A full stroke brought his hips in full contact with her round ass.  The feeling was so good that he gave up the idea of tormenting her to indulge in that sensation again, and again, and again.

He was so lost in his own pleasure that Kat's cry of what sounded like pain, surprised him. He noticed that the grip that she had on the sheets had made her knuckles white.  Worried for her child, and never having wanted really to hurt her, he stopped and moved to pull out.  Kat turned and snarled at him, "If you stop now, Luis, I'll tear you apart with my bare hands."

A little embarrassed at having guessed wrong, Luis renewed his grip on her hips and thrust hard. That brought another moan and the instructions, "Do that again."  So he did, and he continued at the pace she set.  Kat had managed to reach a pillow which she was now using to muffle the steady stream of cries and groans. He didn't need to be told when she had reached her climax for the cries changed to a steady scream and he could feel the surge of liquid and heat.  The fact that she scrambled further up on the bed and away from him was another undeniable clue.

The edge had been taken off his arousal by his concern for her, and the pace she had set had not been the best for him, but he was far from being bored with the evening.  He followed her onto the bed.  She held him at arms length, giving him a pleading, but satisfied, grin. "Give me a moment. Please. Oh my God, is it any wonder that is considered a sin?"

Luis was confused at the amazement in that statement. "Adultery? Why should that surprise you?"

"No, playing stallion and mare. As part of my preparation to become a wife, I was given a list of unacceptable behaviors in marriage.  Now I know why it's considered sinful-- it feels too good." Kat had completely collapsed on the bed, motionless except for the smile on her face and her eyes that followed his every move.

Luis approached her again and this time she didn't stop him.  Instead of re-entering her, as she obviously expected, he just stretched out beside her, admiring with his eyes and hands, the body that he had seen briefly before throwing it to the bed. Not that he regretted doing that, but now he wanted to touch her -- all of her -- at his leisure.  He looked into her face. Her eyes were black in the dim light of the room. They held his gaze steadily until he touched her cheek, then they closed as she turned into the caress.  Her skin was so soft, like the petals of the roses in his garden.  A memory floated unbidden to the surface.  Luis was grateful that Kat's eyes were closed, for she would have seen the panic on his face as he quickly banished the thought of another rose, another cheek.

She must have sensed something was amiss for her eyes flew open.  Luis quickly moved his attention away from her face and began to peruse the rest of her.  The curves that had been maidenly a year ago were now lush.  His fingers moved down her neck to briefly squeeze her throat, just because he knew she would appreciate the thought behind the gesture. She stuck her tongue out at him, letting him know her opinion of his frequent desire to strangle her.

He continued his exploration with his hands, and his lips soon followed with light kisses along the path that her fingers had taken when undoing her corset.  He gently sucked a nipple until she arched into his mouth and then moved on, running his tongue along the lower curve of her breast.  That made her squirm.  Before he could ask, she said, "Your beard tickles when it brushes that lightly."

So he did it again and was slapped for his effort.

She had raised one knee in response to his tickling so he took advantage by running his hand along her inner thigh and then around to the back to tilt her on her side. He fondled her buttock and hip while he rained kisses over the firm curve of her belly.  The curve under his hand was much softer, softer than her belly and softer than it had been the first time he had felt it. He couldn't help but grin at the memory.

"I can feel you smiling," Kat said.

He looked up. "I am grateful for the fact that you no longer have a boney behind."

Luis could see the moment when Kat moved beyond the thinly veiled insult to the memory of her sitting bare-assed on his lap.  She blushed crimson, which he found very ironic considering he now had an arm between her thighs, his hand cupping a buttock, while his lips were working their way downward from her navel.  She buried her fingers in his hair to guide him back up and over her, but Luis pulled away.  He had another plan in mind.

"You still think I'll stab you in the back," she teased him.

"I am certain of it," he said, as he smiled at her to make sure that she didn't know the truth of that statement. Luis had no intension of letting Kat out of his sight, figuratively or literally.  He rolled onto his back taking her with him.  Her grin showed she approved of the plan.

"Is this on that list as well?" he asked, feigning innocence as much as he could while fighting his own smile.

"I don't remember.  But there is one way to find out."

Luis' erection had softened during the respite, but at the sight of Kat straddling him, shifting her legs and hips to get comfortable, it quickly renewed.  He was more than ready by the time she stopped teasing him and slid, very easily, onto the length of his cock.  He groaned at the feeling of being enveloped in liquid heat.  Kat seemed delighted with this new arrangement. She would move along his penis, shift position a bit, then try again.  She reminded Luis of a child with a new toy.

He gave his hands free range over her body. They never stopped in their journey, never left her skin.   Her back gave to the pressure as he caressed her from neck to hip but she arched into his touch when he came around her waist, up her rib cage, to her chest. His thumbs circled her nipples, coaxing them to hard peaks.  He slid his hands under her arms and around her shoulders to guide her forward so that he could taste that tempting flesh.  She gave a soft moan of pleasure as his lips and tongue made contact but she only allowed the ministrations to last a few minutes before she pulled back, shaking her head at him with a disapproving pout. She did, however, continue to bring parts of her body temporarily within reach of his mouth - her neck, her shoulder, and often her breast.

He became impatient with her playing.  As enjoyable as it was, it was doing nothing to satisfy his increasing need for consistent stimulation, so he grasped her hips to guide her straight up and down on his cock for a few long, firm strokes.  Her eyes went wide, then her head dropped back, and she sighed, "Oh yes. This must be on the list."

Luis couldn't help himself, he started to laugh. She was such a gloriously selfish little creature.

Kat's attention returned immediately to the man under her. "What are you laughing at, you overconfident barbarian?"

Luis just shook his head and grinned. Kat didn't seem to be satisfied with that answer, for she trapped his hands beside his head and proceeded to give him quick, hard kisses interspersed with suggestive insults. Her hips were matching his rhythm and his arousal was building quickly.  He became intensely aware of her.  The softness on her thigh against his flank. The brush of her nipples against his chest. The warmth of her breath against his cheek. The scent of her hair as it fell in a curtain around them.  Restraint was now impossible.

He pulled his hands from under her grip.  She blinked with surprise at the sudden movement but then closed her eyes as he threaded his fingers in her hair to pull her close.  The other hand moved to her lower back to make sure that nothing interrupted the pace that they had set.  He felt her melt against him. She became pliable, responsive like a well trained horse, just a light touch would cause an adjustment in direction and speed. And the kisses!  He was so distracted by the perfection of the kisses that his release took him by surprise.  One moment he was drowning in the sensations of her mouth and the next he had a firm grip on her hips and was instinctively thrusting into her as waves of pleasure crashed over him.

When he eventually came back to himself and opened his eyes, he found Kat looking down at him, her elbows resting lightly on his chest and her chin cradled in her hands.  Her eyes were dancing with delight but there was only the smallest of smiles on her lips.

"You don't have to look so smug," accused Luis.

"Whatever you call my expression, I'm sure that it's the same look you had on your face earlier."

She is probably right, thought Luis with a chuckle.  Living up to her nickname, Kat languidly stretched herself out full length on top of him and then smoothly rolled off him and across the bed.  Luis followed, dragging her back against him - chest to back, hip to hip, knee to knee.  He found some of the blankets so that they wouldn't cool off too quickly in the chill autumn night.

Luis hoped that Kat would fall asleep.  He knew that sleeping, himself, was not wise with most of the night gone, but it would be pleasant to simply rest quietly for a few hours with Kat warm and soft in his arms. She was fidgeting, until she rolled over to face him.  Sliding a knee between his and wrapping an arm around his back, she quieted with her cheek resting against his heart.  Luis kissed the top of her head and wondered how he ever could have thought that this wouldn't be worth the trouble.

"So, the pirates' contact is to arrive in the morning?" asked Kat as she snuggled under his chin.

Now he remembered.

*-*-*-*-*

The eastern sky had barely begun to lighten when Luis sat down at his desk, dressed in his uniform and waiting impatiently for his visitor.  He looked up, startled, when the door from the hallway was the one that opened.  Kat came in and took a seat on the couch against the outside wall.  He returned the glare she sent him, and for a few minutes their eyes locked in a standoff.

"Go back to bed, Katerina."

Kat's smirk was indulgent. "You may have taken his liberties, but you are not my husband, Luis.  You do not give me orders.  I have just as much interest in this meeting as you do and am more likely to get results."

Luis raised his eyebrows, skeptical about this claim.  He didn't push his position, though.  It would likely be better that Kat know of his plans and for him know hers.  That way they could avoid tripping over each other.

Any further debate on the subject was postponed by the sight of a figure at the balcony door.  Luis motioned Kat to silence, and cocked his pistol as he moved around the desk, then placed the weapon behind him on the desk  It was hidden by his body, but within very easy reach, when the door opened and a ship's officer entered.  "Colonel Montoya.  We were given a very good description.  I am here to inform you that everything has gone according to the plans -- plans which can be blown to bloody hell if you don't keep your end of the bargain."

Luis was unimpressed by the implied threat. "And what is my guarantee that you have kept your end of the bargain?  All I have is the word of a pirate."

The officer bristled at the slur but maintained his professionalism.  "How about the fact that Captain Pelka was very blunt in his expectations?  Then there was his courier, who said he had given his personal assurance that you would be satisfied and if you were not, we would all suffer the consequences."  The man had paled slightly, as if just the memory of Captain Pelka's messenger was enough to ensure honesty in this transaction.

The sailor's bravado quickly returned, but Luis had seen the reaction.  His own encounter with the courier had been far from threatening but he had sensed there was more to Adamson than he had been shown.  He would not want to double-cross that man either.

"Lieutenant?" The sultry voice caused both men to turn their attention to the couch.  Katerina was partially reclined with all of her most valuable  personal assets on display.  Her hair was around her shoulders, her dark eyes wide, her lips rosy, and her bosom practically overflowing the neckline of her blouse.  The officer was stunned into silence, but Luis took in the sight with an exaggerated leer. Although she pointedly ignored him at the moment, he was sure she would make him suffer for it later.  He shook in silent laughter as he moved behind his desk to retrieve the gold he had placed there earlier.

"Lieutenant, don't tell me that Captain Bouchard has forgotten about me?"  She patted the empty space on the couch in invitation to the sailor.  That gesture seemed to awaken him. He turned a questioning look to Luis, who gave a noncommital shrug in reply.

"And who would you be, Senorita?" the officer managed to get out.

This took the soft edge out of Katerina's voice and she steeled her gaze, although her sensual posture didn't change. "It is Senora."

The conclusion suddenly seemed to come to the sailor, and he answered his own question with confidence. "Senora Galvez."

"Senora Antonia Galvez," Katerina elaborated.

This confirmation seemed to relax the messenger, and he smiled as he said, "Yes, I have something for you.  It was to be given to Colonel Montoya, but since you are here . . . "  The rest of the sentence trailed off as the sailor removed a flat packet from his jacket and Kat leaned over to receive it. Luis rolled his eyes at the obvious manoeuver.

Katerina eventually caught the eye of the officer and held it as she asked, "Is there any message for me from the Captain, himself?"

"None that he gave to me.  Although there may be a letter in the package."

"Well, here is one from me to him.  Tell him that if he has varied from our arrangement in any way, Colonel Montoya will become very dissatisfied."  She paused for a moment before asking, "Do you understand?"

The rapid nod conveyed not only understanding but a healthy dose of caution. She softened her voice again with the next question. "To put both our minds at rest, why don't you tell me this?  At the estates near San Jose, were there any crops burned, any livestock killed or scattered?"

"No, lady.  The only real damage was done in Monterey, elsewhere there was only a search for gold and other valuables.  There was no destruction on the ranches."

Katerina's pleased nod seemed to gratify the man. "Then there is the matter of the hacienda here -- the one north of the town, near the ruin on the cliff.  Was it marked as off limits?"

"I don't know about that. The men were getting restless, so the Captain allowed them to raid south of the town.  We avoided the pueblo since we knew about the garrison here, but here was a particularly rich compound that we heard about at our last landing.   Hidalgo, I think the name was."

"Thank you, Lieutenant.  From what you tell me, your Captain seems to have kept his word, but pass my message along anyway."  She dismissed him with a careless wave, and he turned to Luis.  The colonel handed him the promised payment and the sailor left quickly.

Luis wondered exactly how much of what Kat had said was the truth. She had been worried about her property, there obviously hadn't been any arrangements when news had first arrived of Bouchard.  But she must have been in contact with someone to have that package delivered here.  Or else she was bluffing about the whole concept of protecting the haciendas and the only arrangements she had previously made were to do with the delivery. What was in that packet?  Why was she using her mother's name? 

He wasn't going to learn the answers now, for Kat had put both feet back on the floor and was sitting forward, her hands covering her face.  When she looked up, her face was serene and she stated calmly, "Tessa is with the Hidalgos."

"So she is," said Luis.  He moved to the chair behind his desk and sat down.  By the time he looked back to her, Kat was glowering at him.  He began to feel a little apprehensive as she rose and stalked toward him; sometimes the family resemblances were unnerving.

"You are not going to do anything, are you?" She snapped at him.

"What is there for me to do?  We do not know of any attack taking place at the Hidalgo hacienda.  There has been no word from there.  I have no reason to remove the defenses from the town."

"Save your justification speeches for the dons, Luis.  I know you.  You think that this may be a convenient way to acquire both the Hidalgo and Alvarado haciendas.  The problem is that too many of my friends would have to die for those events to occur.  I will not stand by and allow that to happen."  With that definitive statement, Kat collected her package and left the room.

Luis rested his brow on his fingertips. Women!  They always act with their hearts instead of their heads.  He had thought Kat might have been above that.  Her stubbornness was going to get her into trouble.  Luis sat up straight as he remembered to whom he would have to answer if anything did happen to that lady or her unborn child.

"Grisham!"  The colonel was out of his office before his echo died.

*-*-*-*-*

Katerina was furious and let her mount know it.  She had no illusions that Luis was anything but a heartless, calculating bastard, but she thought that he would attempt to save her friend... at least make a show of it - for her.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she realized that she missed the path to the Hidalgo hacienda. She doubled back, cursing herself for wasting time, for thinking that she would have any effect on the outcome of the day, for letting Luis Montoya effect her judgement.  As she reached the correct trail, she saw dust on the road coming from town.  Even at this distance she could see the banner, and there was no mistaking Captain Grisham's grey mount.  She smirked as she watched the approaching troops, for she had a good idea what had changed Luis' mind. Also, it was possible that her feelings might have tipped the balance, even if they were not the most pressing motivation. Luis had worked around her father before.  The least she could do for the colonel was to help with his cover.

Kat kicked her horse to a sprint until they reached the approaching party. She pulled up short -- breathless and seeming slightly panicked. "The Hidalgo hacienda is under attack!  I was out for an early morning ride when I heard horses . . .  screaming . . .  shots fired . . . "  She broke off as if overcome with emotion, while waiting for a cue as to the story Luis had created to bring out the garrison.

Surprisingly, Grisham took the lead instead of the colonel. "We have had word from a local farmer with a similar report.  Did you see anything, Senora? How many men? Where they are attacking from?"

"No, Captain.  I'm sorry.  When I heard the noise, my first thought was to get the garrison."

"A wise course of action, Senora." Luis moved his horse between hers and Grisham's, attempting to herd her down the road. "Now, it would be best for you to continue into town.  I will send some of the men to accompany you."

"I couldn't do that, Colonel.  I couldn't take your men away from such an important duty.  And Vera and Tessa are in such danger; I would be sick with worry just waiting in town.  I am sure there will be little threat to me in your company." She gave him a tenuous, but sweet, smile.  With his back to the men, he glared daggers at her.  Her smile became even sweeter. "I'm sure the brigands will run at the sight of such an impressive company."

Luis gave her a disgusted look that told her he knew exactly what she was doing -- making sure that the colonel didn't find some reason to delay in his rescue mission.  She batted her eyelashes at him with her best adoring look. Luis bit his lip, and Kat wasn't sure if he was holding back laughter or the urge to hit her.  Probably both.

"Grisham, continue to the hacienda," ordered the colonel.  "I will follow as the Senora's escort.  She has had a difficult ride in her condition, and I don't want to risk her health any further with the pace you must set."  Grisham nodded and signaled the men to follow. The pace he set was markedly swifter than the one at which they had approached.

Kat wheeled her horse and started down the road as soon as the company had passed. Luis followed but stayed half a length behind.  She tried slowing for him to catch up but he matched her pace.  If she wanted to see him, she would have to turn in the saddle or stop and turn the horse.  She could feel his eyes on her, then she started to remember his hands, his lips, his body pressing against hers.

This could cause problems.  When she was angry with him she could cover her emotions, but she wasn't sure she could trust herself when she was feeling . . .   How was she feeling?   It was just lust, wasn't it?  There was no time to sort this out now.  She stopped her horse and turned in the saddle.  The look on Luis' face was unreadable, she hoped hers was as well.  "I think we had better come to an understanding," she said seriously.

"About what, Kat?"

He is going to be difficult, is he?  Fine, I'll just be blunt. "I don't want you to be there when I take leave of Santa Elena next week and I don't want to see you in the time between.  It would just complicate an already volatile situation.  I would rather we say our farewells now, before we rejoin the others."

A very small smile appeared on Luis' lips and he nodded.  "And firmly replace our masks. A very good idea, Kat.  Women have rarely kept my attention.  Either they are pawns in the arena that turns daughters and sisters into wives and mothers or they are simply a way to satisfy a need, forgotten as soon as the lust is sated.  The number of women who have stirred my interest I can count on the fingers of one hand.  Of all of them, you are the only one whom I have ever . . .  allowed myself to become attached."

That wasn't what she had expected.  Not after the arguments they had been having throughout the night and into the morning.  All the things she had planned to say were trivial when compared to this declaration. She was also so uncertain of her own feelings for him that the half-truths to which she would admit seemed unworthy. "You constantly surprise me.  Good-bye, Luis.  I hope we will meet again soon."

She saw his smile widen slightly before she turned her mount back down the trail to the Hidalgos.  She encouraged her horse into an easy canter, and this time the colonel kept pace at her side.

*-*-*-*-*

As the last of the invaders left with the Hidalgos' horses, the Queen of Swords realized her battle was just beginning.  Now she had the garrison to go through before she could disappear from view, sneak back into the house, get changed, hide the sword, invent some excuse as to why she wasn't with the rest of the household, and then faint from the excitement of the day -- the fainting shouldn't be difficult. What possessed me to bring the mask and my sword along?  And what madness encouraged me to put it on?! She didn't want to kill any of these men. It was Grisham's order to capture the Queen, to save face for letting all the pirates escape, that had prompted this fight.

The captain had briefly followed the herd of horses as they galloped out of the nearest gate, but their numbers made it difficult to pick out the few men astride them. She had smiled at the irony; it was a trick she had often used herself.  Then Grisham had taken up a post at that gate as if that would be her only path of escape. Why not set a guard at the other entrance? she wondered.

She was suspicious. However, the main gate still seemed the best way to both to avoid the soldiers and also to double back into the hacienda. She had just reached it and was in the process of delaying the last few pursuers when she heard hoof beats.   Colonel Montoya and Katerina rode into the yard.  With Montoya between herself and freedom she had to come up with another plan quickly.  She hated to do this to Katerina but . . .

Katerina had dismounted after looking in amazement at the remains of the garrison.  The Queen took advantage of the other woman's momentary distraction to capture her from behind and bring a knife to her throat.  Katerina tensed in panic, as was expected, but then relaxed.  The Queen noted this fact only in passing; she was focused on Montoya.  The colonel had drawn his sword and with his other hand had cocked his gun. The fury on his face was riveting, but it was mixed with contempt as he taunted, "Stop this foolishness.  You won't hurt her.  The Queen of Swords does not hurt innocent women -  especially pregnant, innocent women."

"Isn't that a contradiction in terms?" said the Queen under her breath, and she was sure she heard an amused snort from Katerina.  She slowly started to move them toward the house.  The building had been emptied during the initial skirmish. The Queen had moved the residents to the barn, a less tempting target, while the rancheros had occupied the invaders.  She could see Vera and Gaspar Hidalgo at the door to the barn now.  They might keep Grisham occupied for a moment.

She turned her full attention back to Montoya. "I don't want to hurt her, but who knows how the knife might slip if you attack me.  How will you explain even a small wound to her husband - or her father, the governor?"

Montoya halted his horse's steady walk without touching the reins.  He didn't say a word, but the Queen saw that he took her warning seriously.  Whether it was the thought of having to face Reyes or of Katerina being hurt, it didn't matter, as long at it made him cautious.  However,  giving Montoya time to think was not a good idea either.  She moved Katerina quickly through the door into the house.  Just before she closed it, she heard the colonel say, "I once promised to put your heart in a jar on my desk.  If you spill one drop of Senora De La Torre's blood, I will cut that heart of yours out with a spoon."

The door clicked shut, and the Queen turned the key.  She loosened her hold on Katerina. She about to assure her friend that she would come to no harm when Katerina chuckled, "He is so charming, isn't he?  Come on, Tess.  We have to get you out of that . . .  whatever it is."

Katerina smiled into Tessa's eyes, which were blinking in shock behind the lace mask.  She took the knife out of the gloved hand then took that hand in her own to drag Tessa up the staircase.

Tessa recognized the need for a swift change of persona but she hadn't figured out how to put Montoya and Grisham off her trail.  As they reached the top of the stairs, she heard the sound of the door being kicked in.

"Get into your room and get rid of that sword!  I'll deflect them," said Katerina as she pushed Tessa out of sight and leaned over the banister. "Captain!  She has headed along the north hallway.  I think there is a servants' stairway at the end."

Tessa didn't hear the rest of the conversation as she closed the door to her chamber and quickly shed the black garments that served as the Queen's disguise.  She hid them as swiftly as she removed them and had just put on her chemise and bloomers when the door opened.  Katerina slipped inside.  She frowned as she looked at Tessa, then she went to the shattered window and opened it so she could lean out. "I found her.  She was hit by breaking glass and hid in the wardrobe.  She seems fine."

She turned to meet Tessa's questioning look. "I had to explain why you weren't with the rest -- and why you are bleeding."

Katerina gently touched a gash on Tessa's arm.  Tessa hadn't even noticed it.  She was amazed at Katerina's quick thinking as well as her willingness to put herself at risk aiding the Queen of Swords -- which led to the question, "How did you know it was me?"

Katerina laughed and said, "Who else would borrow my perfume?"

Tessa smiled and shook her head as she remembered stealing a bit the scent as she had dressed early that morning. It seemed so long ago, yet it couldn't have been more than a couple of hours. She started to slip on a dressing gown when Katerina stopped her. "We need a bit more evidence.  The colonel has a sharp eye," she said as she reached for a piece of glass from the floor.  She put the glass to the wound on Tessa's shoulder, and Tessa nodded knowing what she was going to do.  It didn't take much to start it bleeding again.  "Get into the wardrobe, and smear some blood on the back wall.  That should throw Montoya off the scent."

Tessa was impressed at the way her friend's mind was working.  Nothing was being left to chance, yet there was still a risk of being caught.  "Why?" she asked as she crawled into the wardrobe.

"Why?! Because it is further proof that you did what I said you did and . . . "

"No; why help me?" Tessa stuck her head back out. "I know there is something between you and Montoya. On top of that, there are the family connections.  Why ally yourself with me against him?"

Katerina smiled as she helped Tessa out of the wardrobe and slipped the uninjured arm into the robe.  She motioned for Tessa to sit on the bed as she collected some water and a towel to clean the blood-smeared shoulder.  Tessa knew they could be interrupted at any time and was becoming impatient for an answer.  "You're stalling, Kat."

Her smile bacame a little wider but also a little sad.  She cleaned the wound as she spoke. "I have heard enough of the local stories to know that you are not the bandita the donas make you out to be.  I admire what you are doing -- not letting any of the accidents of your birth get in the way of what you feel you must do.  The fact that you are making Luis' life difficult is not an issue.  He hasn't mentioned the Queen to me, yet I would guess he secretly enjoys the challenge.

"But be careful, Tessa. As you continue to defend the poor and protect your home, remember that the colonel is a shark, and know that he is not the biggest shark in this ocean.  If you interfere in too many of those sharks' plans, you will be eaten in one bite.  I know what I am talking about; I have been swimming in that ocean all of my life.  I don't want to see you hurt."

Tessa didn't completely understand all of what Katerina was referring to, but she could see that the situation might be more complicated than Montoya simply hoarding tax money -- and likely out of the influence of the Queen of Swords. It was also obvious that Katerina was very concerned, for with her last sentence she focused her eyes on Tessa's and took Tessa's face in her hands.  Then the intense look softened and Katerina's thumbs brushed along Tessa's cheekbones.  Suddenly, Tessa found herself the recipient of a kiss.  It was very soft, but it filled her senses as much as any kiss she had ever experienced.

Before she could decide how to respond, there were voices at the door, and suddenly Katerina was standing with the bowl of water and the soiled towel.  Vera burst into the room, with Don Hidalgo and Colonel Montoya Close behind her.

"Tessa, you a poor thing!  It must have been so frightening.  You were very lucky that the pirates were prevented from entering the house, for if they had found you . . . "

"Vera, it is over now.  There is no need to imagine further unpleasantness; the girl is in shock as it is," said Gaspar. He had taken Tessa's hand and was chaffing it to get her attention.

This worked, for Tessa looked up at him and smiled then reassured him, "I have a little scratch but that is the only injury.  Katerina was binding the wound so that I could get dressed."  This seemed to bring the impropriety of the situation to Gaspar's attention. He moved quickly to vacate the room and take Montoya with him.

The colonel had been surveying the room carefully, and Tessa had noted the suspicious look he gave Katerina when he noticed the blood in the wardrobe.  She had met his gaze calmly.  Now, as he was about to leave the room, Montoya stopped. "I am pleased to see that you survived your adventure relatively unscathed, Senorita Alvarado. Senoras." He gave Vera a polite smile but kept his face carefully blank when he nodded to Katerina, as he closed the door.

*-*-*-*-*

Tessa had found the note when she had entered her friend's room early that morning, so it was easy to support Katerina's version of events when Vera insisted on both women recount their stories again.  She was not sure if she believed Katerina's tale of an early morning ride, but the Queen owed her the benefit of the doubt.

Tessa made sure to sent word to her hacienda with one of the rancheros, both to check on the situation there and to assure Marta that everyone was all right at the Hidalgos'. They would return home the next day.  Vera seemed to need the company and Tessa didn't mind the distraction.  Here there was plenty of distraction with transport to be arranged for the wounded soldiers back to the pueblo and general repair of the damage done in the attack.  Doctor Helm arrived in the afternoon to check on the injured rancheros.  Tessa was surprised to find herself a little annoyed as she watched Katerina talk easily to Helm, even managing to make him blush.  She usually enjoyed her friend's impudent nature, but now it made her feel disconcerted.

On Tessa's and Katerina's return home, the kitchen became the stage for the retelling of the most recent adventure of the Queen of Swords. The biggest surprise for Marta seemed to be that Katerina was fully aware of the Queen's identity.  Although Tessa could tell that she was not pleased to hear that the secret being kept by one more person, by the time she had finished listening to the story, she had obviously come to terms with the situation.  She even scolded Tessa for taking such a foolish risk, while Katerina snickered into her lemonade.

As the conversation subsided, and Marta moved to start preparing the evening meal, Tessa found herself looking into Katerina's eyes.  She did not want to deal with the question she found there.  With a quick glance around the room, she found her excuse. "I'll take this rope back out to the barn, Marta.  What were you doing with it in here?  Setting traps for the pirates?"  Tessa didn't wait for a response but fled the house for the barn.

When Tessa looked up to see Katerina enter the barn a few minutes later, she felt her whole body tense.  She had managed to avoid being alone with Katerina for the past few days; it hadn't been difficult at the Hidalgos', but now she knew she could no longer escape the conversation that was coming.  It was not that she had been shocked or insulted; coming from Katerina the kiss had seemed very natural.  What had been bothering Tessa for days was the fact that it hadn't bothered her.

Katerina went around to the other side of the horse Tessa was grooming and looked over its back at her. She waited, silent, until Tessa could no longer avoid meeting her eyes.  "I'm sorry," Katerina began.  "It was an impulse.  It doesn't need to mean anything. Forget it happened.  Please?"

Tessa couldn't stand the desperation in Katerina's voice and face. "I'm not sure I want to forget, Kat.  It's just that I don't feel. . . "

Katerina interrupted, "I know.  I didn't expect you to.  I just . . .   I don't want you to hate me." The tears welling up in the dark eyes made Tessa's heart ache.  She was tempted to take the younger woman into her arms and comfort her, as she would any hurt child, but at that moment such a gesture would likely confuse the issue further.

"Oh Kat. I don't hate you.  How can I hate you?"

"It's not that hard."

Tessa chuckled in relief at hearing in the self-deprecating tone the Katerina she knew.  The frightened, vulnerable one had been making her anxious.  Tessa walked over and put her arm around her friend's shoulders to lead her out of the barn and Katerina's arm came to rest around her waist, just as it had on the first day in the square. "You're reckless, impulsive, scandalous, and sneaky.  What is there to hate?"

"If you keep saying things like that, Tess, I might have to kiss you again," said  Katerina.

It may have sounded as if things were back to normal, but Tessa saw that she was being watched very carefully for her reaction to the provocative comment.  She decided to meet the challenge.  "Careful Kat, I may kiss you back next time."

"Oh! Such cheek."  Katerina's laughter signaled a return to something like their former relationship, then she became serious again. "But Tessa . . .   please don't call me Kat."

Something in Katerina's tone made Tessa feel as if she should apologize. Instead she explained, "It suits you."

"I know," Katerina said softly.

Tessa sensed that something significant lay behind this request but since she had just closed the door on one intimacy, this seemed a poor time to push another.

*-*-*-*-*

Salvador arrived on schedule and spent a couple of days at the Alvarado hacienda.  The coach, driver, and escort had remained in town in order not to tax the ranch's resources.

For Katerina, the days were bittersweet. It was good to have two people she cared for come to know and like each other.  She gradually realized that her feelings for Tessa were very similar to her feelings for Salvador --  a warm, deep fondness. She was relieved that Tessa had not rejected their friendship, for the kiss at the Hidalgos' had been more than an impulse.

Luis had been the impulse.  Oh, be honest with yourself at least, Kat -- he's an obsession. Whenever she thought of him, which was far too often for her peace of mind, her eyes would be drawn to the small satchel that accompanied her in the coach.  She would wonder, again, if she had made the right decision.

Too soon, the time to say good-bye arrived.  The trip to Santa Elena was cheerful, if subdued.  They found the coach ready as ordered; the luggage had been sent ahead.   If Katerina hugged Tessa a little too tightly, her friend showed with a sisterly kiss that she understood.

As Katerina said farewell to Marta, she whispered in the gypsy's ear,  "Keep her safe."

"I do my best," came the reply.  However, when the women stepped back to meet each other's gaze they rolled their eyes, knowing exactly how much effect their wishes would have.

They both turned to look at Tessa, who met the patronizing stares with growing confusion and annoyance.  "What?  What did I do now?"

Any bruised feelings were salved with another hug and kiss and Marta's promise to explain everything later. Salvador held open the coach's door,  Katerina took his hand for assistance; as about to enter, she stopped and looked up at the balcony that she knew was attached to Montoya's office.  He had trusted her with a level of honesty that she hadn't expected. She couldn't leave without returning the gesture.

"I have one last thing to do before we leave, Salvador," said Katerina.  She reached into the small bag on the floor of the coach and pulled out a book.  "I won't be long.  Five minutes at most." She started toward the staircase that entered the square.

"I will come with you," said Salvador moving ahead of her.

"NO!" She realized how frantic her voice had sounded.  Calming herself, but tightened her grip on the book, she put on a pleading smile,. "No, stay and keep Tessa company.  This is Reyes family business, something I should have done when I first arrived.  Please, Salvador."  She knew he would not refuse her, so she didn't bother to wait for an answer before starting again for the staircase.

*-*-*-*-*

The colonel had been watching from his window, taking care not to be seen.  He had respected Katerina's wishes that he not be present at the farewells, but he did want one last look at her.  Therefore, when he saw her climbing the stairs to his office he was surprised --- and disconcerted.

Rather than going through the main entrance at the top of the stairs, she walked along the balcony and opened the door that lead directly to his office. "Can I come in?"  She hadn't crossed the threshold.

"Of course." He didn't know what else to say.  All the usual polite small talk just seemed nonsense at this moment.  They had said their good-byes; why was she here?

Katerina also seemed at a loss, so she just handed him the book she carried.  He opened the cover.

      Antonia Galvez y Reyes - Journal,  August 1800 to February 1808

"What is this?!" He almost didn't want to hear the answer.  This was the last thing he ever expected to be holding in his hand.

Katerina was fidgeting. "It was found in one of her old trunks when Matias was packing. He brought it to me.  I don't think he read it. The first years are all about babies; that would put him off going any further.  The beginning of the section that will interest you is marked.  You will want to read the 1807 entries, as well.

"I should have given it to you when I first arrived.  I didn't want to share you -- even with her ghost.  I guess I am like my father after all."  The last was said with a bashful smirk.

Montoya set the journal down and leaned against his desk.  His head was spinning at the idea of having this much of Antonia so close to him.  He had to get himself under control, so he focused on Katerina. She was looking for reassurance, that was obvious, but about what?  He was the one whose life had just been handed to him.  And he was certain Katerina knew all about it now.

As he watched her fret, he began to see the risk she had taken in giving him this information.  She had struggled to emerge from the shadows of two strong parents, and this threatened to eclipse her again. Bringing the journal was her way of saying she didn't care how . . .  tangled his past was with her family and that he could trust her with the information.

He didn't need her approval, he certainly didn't trust her, but he felt that he understood her. The attraction they shared was in spite of all the baggage, so he reminded her of that fact.  "Again, in this instance, you are not like him.  He would not have bothered with an excuse if he wanted to kiss me."

Her jaw dropped and he could see the denial forming on her face.  He grinned at her and she became even more indignant.  Then suddenly Katerina's expression changed and she stepped close to him with a muttered, "Oh, what the Hell . . . "  She took his face in her hands and kissed him.  It started like the first one, hard and intense, but then, as he responded, it softened.  It became a languid exploration focused entirely on the sensations at the moment.  Her hands moved to his shoulders and his rested on her waist; there was no clutching at fabric, no attempt to move closer. When the kiss ended so did the rest of the contact.

She stepped back and took a moment to compose her public face before going out the door.  Even then, she winked at him as she closed it.

He would not watch the coach depart. He no longer felt the need to see Katerina take leave of Santa Elena.  His eyes fell on the journal and his hands shook as he opened it to the page marked with a ribbon:

April 12, 1802

Home!  I am so glad I will not have to spend any more time in Avila for a while.  Everything is pleasant enough but Juan chafes so at the hold his family keeps over him.  He will enjoy the relative freedom of the next year.  I hope he will find something to keep himself occupied, something that will not end badly for a change.

Papa has a new captain, Luis Montoya, of whom he is rather proud.  Young for the position, but Papa has hopes to mould him in his own image.  I am not sure how well he will succeed, this one seems to have strong ideas of his own.  He was well born but has embraced the role of soldier - always in uniform, rough cut hair, a very direct gaze, overall a lack of subtlety in his speech and manner.  He seems to have a quick mind but little interest in gentler pursuits.  I will have to ask Papa more about him -- so my thoughts can stop turning to him.

THE END