Historical romance, Indian
Summer, is due to be re-issued on
Friday, September 8, 2017. This sweeping historical novel is a must
read!
It's
the night of Gabriella's birthday and Manuel is her escort. When he
and her sister, Maria, take flirting a bit too far, she is angry and
hurt. Manuel does his best to apologize to her.
Manuel
reached for my hand. I gave him stiff fingers and a cool look.
His face fell as he dropped his head.
"It's only
right that you chastise me, Gabriella. I let a meaningless flirtation
carry me away beyond the boundaries of propriety. I owe you and your
family an apology. You most of all, for I see that my actions have
wounded you deeply. Perhaps you would like to take a breath of fresh
air with me the garden? My aunt is seated out there. The noise and
press of people is too much for her these days."
I allowed myself
to be led from the courtyard, saying little. Manuel held my hand
closely to his arm, absently patting my hand from time to time,
apparently thinking.
"Is
there some way I can make this up to you? Can I do something to prove
to you that my heart is yours alone?"
He
turned me to him gently, looking intensely into my eyes. Before I
could answer, I heard Aunt Securo from a short distance away.
"It isn't
your heart that's the issue, my boy. It's the rest of you."
Manuel
looked at her a little astonished. "What do you mean by that,
dear aunt?" He truly was surprised at her remark.
"I
mean, my lad, that it's perfectly easy to pledge your heart and your
love to a lady, but if your other parts wander off from her doing
things they aren't supposed to, that's the issue."
I
must have looked very puzzled. Manuel glanced at me and shrugged.
Aunt Securo muttered briefly to herself about what was proper
and then shook her cane at Manuel.
"Propriety
be hanged," she said angrily. "Nephew, you've a bit of a
reputation, of which I'm sure this young lady is blissfully unaware.
However, people talk near an old lady whom they think blind and deaf.
Blind I may be, but my hearing is as acute as it was thirty years
ago." She turned to me.
"My
dear, I'm sure you're not aware of the ways between men and women
yet, as well you shouldn't be. I'm sure you know that some women are
a little overzealous in their pursuit of a man. Some of them slip and
fall flat on their backs. Sometimes there are men unscrupulous enough
to take advantage of that position." She muttered again. "How
can I say this without stepping over the lines?" She sat silent
a moment.
I
waited patiently, but curious just the same. I noticed Manuel was
trying to make himself small and was backing slowly away from his
aunt.
"You stand
still, boy! I'm talking to you as well! My dear, come sit beside me
so I can see you better. And you, scalawag, you stay put. I can hear
you breathing!" She shook her cane at him again as I sat beside
her.
"My dear, I'm
sure you know by now that the same rules don't apply to men as do to
women. What a lady guards so carefully in her lifetime before her
marriage, her virtue, a man is more honored for if he gives it up
early." She sighed heavily. "Some men are womanizers, my
dear. My nephew is one. As much as I love him, I know his faults. He
likes women, he likes strong drink and he likes to gamble more than
is good for him."
Manuel
started to protest, but she shook her cane at him again. "Be
still, you! Let me finish. Despite all that, he's got a heart of
gold, he's strong as an ox, brave as a lion and loyal as a, well as a
dog? No, no that's not the right thing. Well, in any case, he's
loyal. Honest I'll not always say of him, but he loves you, of that
I'm certain. I'm also certain that if you wed, he won't do anything
undeserving of your trust."
She shook her cane
even more violently at him. "For mark my words, boy, I shall
know if you play her false!" She patted my hand. "That
scene in there was harmless, though hurtful." This was directed
at him. "He's learned his lesson now, haven't you?"
Manuel
spoke briefly and quietly. I had never seen him so cowed as he was in
her presence. "Yes, my aunt." He looked over at me
imploringly. "Bella, can you forgive me? I regret that I caused
you any pain, for I would never do so intentionally." He came
over near where we sat and went down on his knee.
"I
ask your forgiveness, Gabriella. Please say you forgive me or I'll
stay down here and—I'll soil my pants." He looked so sincere,
yet so ridiculous, I started to giggle and took his hand.
"Never
let it be said I caused a gentleman to muss his trousers. I forgive
you."
©
2017 Dellani Oakes
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