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Category: Historical Fiction
Description: Spain is in turmoil. In the 17th century, Inquisitor Sarmiento is zealously continuing the Inquisition, ridding Spain of those he considers infidels and also increasing his own land holdings at others' expense. A victim of the Inquisition Isabela and her mother are incarcerated in one of Sarmiento's dungeons. Her father has been killed. She is rescued when Don Carlos, Duque de Malagon, breaks into the castle to rescue his brother. He is too late to help his brother but Don Carlos takes Isabela and her mother to safety. Since he, too, must now flee the Inquisitor's long arm, he and his retinue leave Spain and sail for the New World to face a stark yet lovely land that brings the promise of new beginnings if they can survive the many challenges ahead.
eBook Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc., 2006 2006
eBookwise Release Date: December 2006

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [371 KB]
Words: 83898
Reading time: 239-335 min.

"Multi-published author, Jeannine D. Van Eperen, has a way of putting the reader into the heart and soul of her characters. This is definitely a must read, as well as a keeper to be read again and again. 5 cups!"--Coffee Time Romance

Isabela returned to her room. Feeling at loose ends she picked up one item, then discarded it for another. If they were leaving at dawn, she should pack, but she had no experience with such things. Was she to take everything? There were but few things in the room that were truly hers. The frock she had worn in the dungeon was ruined and burned, leaving only her undergarments. With a great sigh, she sat down and looked about her. Gravely she considered her future. She had no money, no father, her mother walked around in a daze praying, and her own life was not one of her choice. She must marry a man she barely knew, a man who married her only out of some misguided sense of duty, but who would never love her. She always knew she would have nothing to say about whom she would spend the rest of her life, but she had hoped she might wed someone who would cherish her. Don Carlos Rodrigo Fresquez, Duque de Malagón, was all that most young women could desire, handsome, debonair, and rich with many land holdings. Alas no, his lands now confiscated, his title stripped from him. Somehow, he had arranged passage to Mexico for his household, and now that household included her and her mother as well as for Pablo and Luisa who must be persuaded to leave Spain to attend her.

Isabela sank down onto a chair near her bed. Try as she may, she could not get the memory of Carlos' lips on hers out of her mind, and for some reason, her heart flipped whenever she thought of him. She spoke his name aloud, softly. "Carlos. Carlos, my husband." Yes, the strange sensation swept through her. The tingling sensation receded lower in her body, making her giddy. What would Mama say of such feelings? Or Luisa? Dare she ask them? Was it fitting for a girl to yearn for the touch of a man's lips against hers?

Restlessly, Isabela left her room again and walked through the corridors towards Don Carlos' sanctuary, his study. Perhaps she should tell him of the feelings his kiss inspired. She found the door ajar and voices greeted her ears.

Carlos and another spoke as they packed his personal, indispensable items. "That painting must come with us," she heard Carlos say. "We must handle it carefully. Yes, and that one also. Even though I am leaving, I must bring part of my heritage with me. Who knows what we will find in the new land? I must have some things of the past to give my son."

"Ah, you will have a son?" the voice of Padre Francisco Romero said. "In nine months, I suppose."

"I doubt it. I must marry the girl now. There is no other way, but she is so young. Padre, she knows nothing of the ways of marriage." Carlos chuckled softly. "When I spoke of it, she understood it to be of accounts, running a household, and is eager to learn. She does not love me, and yet--"

Isabela did not hear the rest of Don Carlos' words, for at that moment, the outer door flung open and Luisa ran to her. "My dear child, I've been so worried about you! You look pale. You are not eating enough," she said as she ran to Isabela and enveloped her in her arms and cloak. "Luisa will take care of you. How is Doña Lenora? Poor woman, and poor little girl."