such a lovely garment on such short notice.
After Rosa helped Julie dress and comb her long hair, she guided the bride to the chapel. Julie found the chapel lavishly appointed, even rich, considering the crude state of the rest of the mission. She could detect the sparkle of gold in the tall candlesticks, chalice, statues and huge cross that adorned the wall over the altar.
Rod stepped out of the shadows and Julie gasped at his imposing figure clad entirely in black and silver. He resembled a handsome pirate in his tight black trousers, short black jacket lavishly trimmed in silver and tall shiny boots made of expensive leather. Though she could not read the expression on his face, Julie thought she detected a glimmer of approval in his dark eyes as she approached the altar where
Padre
Juan stood waiting to begin the ceremony.
When Julie reached Rod’s side the tension between them almost crackled. Whatever they felt for one another certainly was not apathy. By the time
Padre
Juan began the ceremony, Julie’s legs were shaking. The thought that this arrogant, intimidating man, often moody, yet capable of reducing her to the consistency of jelly, would have complete control over her life, was truly frightening.
As if sensing her thoughts, Rod squeezed her handand whispered softly, “Courage,
querida.
Would you have the
padre
think you are a reluctant bride?”
Julie slanted him a quelling look but nevertheless stiffened her slim shoulders as she gave the correct responses during the blessedly brief ceremony witnessed by several of
Padre
Juan’s flock. She lifted shocked eyes to Rod when he grasped her hand and slipped a heavy gold band on her finger. Suddenly it was over and Julie followed Rod from the chapel to the small dining room where
Padre
Juan joined them for a hastily prepared wedding feast.
“You look lovely,
querida,
” Rod said as he gallantly seated her.
“The dress is beautiful,” Julie acknowledged. “Where did you get it on such short notice? Surely it isn’t the dress your … Elena … was to wear.”
“Even I would not stoop to such a gesture,” Rod said, somewhat hurt by her low opinion of him. “The dress you are wearing, even my own clothing, was meant for another
caballero
and his betrothed. The clothes will be cleaned and returned in time for their wedding. I would not have my bride clothed in rags for this important occasion.”
Before she could answer, Rosa served their food on large platters and Julie devoted herself to the plain but savory fare. Besides
frijoles
(delicious beans mashed and fried in bacon drippings), there were
enchiladas, quesadillas
and
tortillas,
circles of thin flour dough rolled and filled with bits of meat, beans and cheese, some in a rich red sauce and some plain. The meal ended with a flaky custard pastry and cups of thick sweetened chocolate whipped to a froth.
Julie had barely finished her last morsel of dessert when Rod abruptly arose from the table. “
Padre
Juan has suggested we spend the night at the mission and I have accepted, Julie,” he informed her, moving to help her from her chair. “It grows late. Bid the good
padre
goodnight.” Julie felt herself grow warm beneath his hot gaze as she rose stiffly and made her exit after a hasty word to the bemused priest.
Rod was but a step behind her when she entered the small room assigned to them. Her stomach jumped convulsively when she heard the key scrape in the rusty lock. She turned to face him. His closeness had a physical impact on her and she felt herself grow giddy and weightless. Strange, exotic fantasies began to bite into her thoughts as his dark eyes visibly undressed her.
Rod made no effort to conceal his appraisal as his hot gaze traveled boldly from her face to her soft, rapidly rising and falling breasts, to the gentle swell of hips beneath the thin lace gown. “You’re beautiful,
mi alma,
” he breathed, his words uneven and heavy with passion. “Your enticing body is one of
After Rosa helped Julie dress and comb her long hair, she guided the bride to the chapel. Julie found the chapel lavishly appointed, even rich, considering the crude state of the rest of the mission. She could detect the sparkle of gold in the tall candlesticks, chalice, statues and huge cross that adorned the wall over the altar.
Rod stepped out of the shadows and Julie gasped at his imposing figure clad entirely in black and silver. He resembled a handsome pirate in his tight black trousers, short black jacket lavishly trimmed in silver and tall shiny boots made of expensive leather. Though she could not read the expression on his face, Julie thought she detected a glimmer of approval in his dark eyes as she approached the altar where
Padre
Juan stood waiting to begin the ceremony.
When Julie reached Rod’s side the tension between them almost crackled. Whatever they felt for one another certainly was not apathy. By the time
Padre
Juan began the ceremony, Julie’s legs were shaking. The thought that this arrogant, intimidating man, often moody, yet capable of reducing her to the consistency of jelly, would have complete control over her life, was truly frightening.
As if sensing her thoughts, Rod squeezed her handand whispered softly, “Courage,
querida.
Would you have the
padre
think you are a reluctant bride?”
Julie slanted him a quelling look but nevertheless stiffened her slim shoulders as she gave the correct responses during the blessedly brief ceremony witnessed by several of
Padre
Juan’s flock. She lifted shocked eyes to Rod when he grasped her hand and slipped a heavy gold band on her finger. Suddenly it was over and Julie followed Rod from the chapel to the small dining room where
Padre
Juan joined them for a hastily prepared wedding feast.
“You look lovely,
querida,
” Rod said as he gallantly seated her.
“The dress is beautiful,” Julie acknowledged. “Where did you get it on such short notice? Surely it isn’t the dress your … Elena … was to wear.”
“Even I would not stoop to such a gesture,” Rod said, somewhat hurt by her low opinion of him. “The dress you are wearing, even my own clothing, was meant for another
caballero
and his betrothed. The clothes will be cleaned and returned in time for their wedding. I would not have my bride clothed in rags for this important occasion.”
Before she could answer, Rosa served their food on large platters and Julie devoted herself to the plain but savory fare. Besides
frijoles
(delicious beans mashed and fried in bacon drippings), there were
enchiladas, quesadillas
and
tortillas,
circles of thin flour dough rolled and filled with bits of meat, beans and cheese, some in a rich red sauce and some plain. The meal ended with a flaky custard pastry and cups of thick sweetened chocolate whipped to a froth.
Julie had barely finished her last morsel of dessert when Rod abruptly arose from the table. “
Padre
Juan has suggested we spend the night at the mission and I have accepted, Julie,” he informed her, moving to help her from her chair. “It grows late. Bid the good
padre
goodnight.” Julie felt herself grow warm beneath his hot gaze as she rose stiffly and made her exit after a hasty word to the bemused priest.
Rod was but a step behind her when she entered the small room assigned to them. Her stomach jumped convulsively when she heard the key scrape in the rusty lock. She turned to face him. His closeness had a physical impact on her and she felt herself grow giddy and weightless. Strange, exotic fantasies began to bite into her thoughts as his dark eyes visibly undressed her.
Rod made no effort to conceal his appraisal as his hot gaze traveled boldly from her face to her soft, rapidly rising and falling breasts, to the gentle swell of hips beneath the thin lace gown. “You’re beautiful,
mi alma,
” he breathed, his words uneven and heavy with passion. “Your enticing body is one of
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