Later, during dinner, the Zorrilla sisters and Inés discussed the upcoming festival celebrations while he maintained his silence. Inés turned toward him.
“The fireworks should be the best part; I always think they are. Do you like fireworks, Mr. Linares?” she asked.
“I do. It’s a pity I won’t be able to enjoy them. I’ll be gone by then.”
“Gone?”
“Your aunt’s hospitality cannot be eternal,” he said, looking at Perla as he spoke. “A man knows when he is wearing his welcome thin.”
Perla bristled at his choice of words, frowning, but did not speak.
—
Later that night Perla knocked at his door. She was wearing a prim white nightgown and a robe atop that, and her hair was pulled back tight, like in the daytime, as if she did not dare to wear it loose, as if every pin must remain tucked in place.
“I resent the implication you made today at the table.”
“Did I imply anything?” he replied.
“You make it sound like I’m inhospitable.”
“Of course not. You have been a good hostess.”
“Then? Why would you think of leaving if you’re comfortable?”
“Do you wish me to stay?”
“I did not say that.”
“Yet here you are at my doorway.”
She was clearly exasperated by the tenor of the conversation. “You may do as you please,” she told him.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, not with the sweet, gentle kiss of a fine gentleman, but the hard kiss of a man claiming a lover.
“You said I could do as I pleased,” he said when he stepped back, and smiled.
He thought she might slap him. But no, she merely stood still, as if turned to stone. Inés would have slapped him. Maybe scratched him. It would have been the other way around with her:shewould have kissedhim,if she ever wanted to.
What a twisted mind I have,he thought,kissing the aunt and thinking of the niece.
But then, he had a twisted profession and a criminal heart.
“Good night,” he told Perla, and closed the door in her face.
—
“You have her in an awful mood,” Inés told him as she deposited his breakfast tray by the bed.
He unfolded the newspaper and smiled. “The mood of a cat in heat,” he said. “I kiss her thrice a day and leave her breathless.”
“Better be careful. A lion will bite your hand off.” She glanced at the calendar on the wall. “One more week.”
“Plenty of time.”
“Maybe you should fuck her tonight. To ensure things.”
“You’re blunt.”
