"I thought they didn't use horses in bullfighting," Anne said, pronouncing the detested sport with distaste.
"The originalcorrida de tourosis performed by horsemen. But in Spain, the Bourbons forbade the aristocracy from it. It became a sport for the masses, done on foot. But Portuguese nobility kept on as before, and thematadorstill rides a horse."
"Do they train horses for such brutality?"
"No. The Lusitano knows instinctively how to corner the bull."
They were knee to knee, and her mare bumped his stallion's flank. Their names fit them. With her lily-white coat and long, frizzy mane, Hemera was the perfect Goddess of Light. Erebus, the God of Darkness, was raven-black and exuded magnetic energy.
Anne patted the mare's neck. "Do you have her offspring with Erebus back at the coudelaria?"
Pedro eyed her as if she had spoken blasphemy. "No."
"That's a pity. I would love to see a colt with Hemera's gentleness and Erebus’s fire."
"Erebus is a warhorse. He would hurt Hemera. She is too valuable, bought from the king, directly from the Alter Real Stud—"
"When she is near, he's calm and happy. Plus, you gave her to me, remember? Shouldn't I have a say in this?"
"You refused her as a gift." He raised his brows. "So, no."
Anne rolled her eyes. She was ecstatic they were only friends. She really was. Pedro Daun was a tyrant, if a dashing one, and she pitied the woman who would have to accept his dictates. "Since this is such a touchy subject, tell me about our destination. This villa."
"It's safe, secluded on a private beach. My grandfather built it for his French bride. My grandmother grew up in Dieppe and wished to continue her medicinal sea bathing after the marriage."
Anne sighed, searching his eyes. "Were they in love?"
"I doubt it." He gazed ahead, breaking the contact. "He was a count who owned half of the Minho region. She was the only daughter of a wealthyemigreé. It was a political arrangement."
"Oh, of course."
How silly of her to even ask. An aristocratic family like his would settle only for advantageous marriages. As would Pedro. Her shoulders slumped, and a sharp ache pierced her chest. Weren't they supposed to be friends? Then why did the thought of him marrying an heiress hurt so much?
"It's here."
Pedro guided Erebus through an iron gate, and Anne followed, Dante trailing behind with Beatriz bundled atop his horse. The poor dear was still queasy after the storm, and the Italian had refused to let her ride with Anne.
A courtyard opened in front of them. Palm trees flirted with the breeze, their stalks festooned with lilac and yellow orchids. A charming two-story house sat poised on the bluff, magenta bougainvillea climbing its whitewashed walls. Portuguesesombrerosand cypresses offered tantalizing glimpses of the sea.
Pedro vaulted from the saddle and secured Erebus on a hitching post. Dante and Beatriz alighted from their mount and were busy removing the saddlebags. Holding her breath, Anne waited for Pedro to help her dismount. His leather-clad hands lingered on her waist for only three heartbeats, and too soon, her feet touched the ground. Their eyes met. Then he stepped back so Dante could take Hemera's reins.
Beatriz handed her James’s basket. Her cheeks were bright pink.
“The ride did wonders to your pallor.” Anne winked.
“Miss Anne was right. Pineapple is quite agreeable. Once we remove the thorns, that is,” Beatriz whispered, her gaze darting to Dante.
Perhaps Anne had been too harsh in warning the maid away from Dante. “I’m glad you found sweetness in him. I mean…it.” Anne giggled and linked her arms with Beatriz.
While the men conversed, they strolled to a patch of grass, and Anne crouched to release her dog. The pug sniffed a carnation bush and sneezed, upsetting an orange butterfly.
Beatriz chuckled and brushed her hands on her skirt. "I'll be inside if you need me, Miss, arranging your clothes."
"Thank you, dear."
Pedro strode to her side. The sun loved his hair, highlighting the golden and flaxen tones. Her wayward fingertips tingled to touch the silky strands, and she clasped them around her middle.
Anne straightened and shielded her eyes. "Would you show me inside?"
