Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins Page B

tastefully designed, she kept wanting to drag the bodice up around her chin. The short heels on her shoes made striding the way she was accustomed to much more difficult than when wearing her army boots or rope sandals but she kept smiling as she wove her way through the party. Doneta was across the room surrounded by a bevy of men buzzing around her like bees at a flower. She appeared to be enjoying the attention and Pilar was happy for her. None of the young men appeared to be showing any interest in their cousins Mari and Anya and Tia Simona was undoubtedly furious, but Doneta couldn’t change her facial features any more than the plain faced Ventura girls could theirs. It was a grand affair though, with food and desserts and a small band of musicians. Whenever her uncle or mother brought someone over for her to meet, she forced herself to smile and be pleasant, but she dearly wished to be elsewhere, preferably back at home. Her mother appeared to be happy though, and Pilar supposed her personal discomfort meant nothing in comparison. She hadn’t seen her mother sparkle so since before their father’s death.
    All the doors and windows of the grand home were open to let in the evening breeze, but with the press of bodies the room was still very warm, so she made her way to the refreshments table to get an ice with the hope it might cool her off. As she glanced towards the archway where newly arrived guests were entering, she froze and her eyes widened at the sight of Noah Yates! Her heart pounded and it took all she had not to succumb to the weakness in her knees. She quickly turned her back and slipped into the cover of the mob by the table. As she took the cup of punch from the servant, her hand shook so badly it was necessary to take in a deep calming breath to keep the liquid from splashing over the rim and onto her gown. What was he doing at her uncle’s birthday party! Hazarding a quick look back, she watched him being approached by her smiling uncle. In his dark evening clothes, Yates looked even more striking than she remembered and more than a few ladies openly stared with unveiled interest. She glanced over at her sister. The look on her face must’ve shown her distress because Doneta smiled politely at her circle of admirers and made her way to Pilar’s side. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œCome out onto the verandah with me for a moment.”
    Outside, there were a few people enjoying conversation and being away from the noise and heat, so she led her sister to a spot that was unoccupied.
    Concern on her face and in her voice, Doneta said, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    â€œClose. Noah Yates just arrived.”
    Doneta’s jaw dropped. “The man who owned the boat you stole?”
    Pilar nodded.
    Doneta spun her eyes back to the gathering as if needing to see him before settling her attention on Pilar once more. “What in the world is he doing here?”
    â€œI don’t know but I almost fainted when he walked into the room.”
    Doneta studied the worry on Pilar’s face and then smiled. “It’s okay though. Weren’t you disguised?”
    â€œI was.”
    â€œThen he can’t put two and two together and come up with you. Can he?”
    Pilar mulled that over for a moment and exhaled with relief. “You’re right. He can’t. Oh thank you for helping me think this through.”
    â€œIf he approaches, all you need do is act as if you’ve never met. Simple.”
    To Pilar it sounded very simple, but there was a nagging something inside that left her still wary. She had been well disguised that night, she reminded herself.
    Doneta asked, “Better?”
    â€œMuch.”
    â€œMay I go back to my swains now?”
    Pilar chuckled, “Yes, you may.”
    â€œGood, because I’m having a marvelous time and some of them are very handsome.”
    â€œMake sure the one you settle on is