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She spoke in English. ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise there was anyone here.’
She turned to leave, but she heard from behind her, ‘No. Please, don’t go.’
Leonora stopped. Tension thrummed through her. She turned around again, schooling her expression to be as non-committal as possible.
Skye said, ‘I just want to say how sorry I am... I never intended to ruin your engagement like that. I just... I’d tried to get in touch with Lazaro but it was impossible. I sneaked into that room and saw him... I had to let him know.’
The tortured look on her face and the sincerity of her words made Leonora do a double-take. She was used to a different breed of female. Like the ones who had been gossiping in the bathroom the night she’d met Gabriel. Clearly Skye was not in their league, and something in Leonora relaxed.
‘I know. I get that now. You met before he proposed to me.’
‘Yes!’ The relief was evident on her face and she smiled ruefully. ‘I would have hated it if you’d been with him then.’
Leonora moved closer to Skye. ‘No, that would not have been nice. But he would not have done that. These men...they have integrity, at least.’
‘You mean Lazaro and...?’
‘Gabriel—my husband.’ Leonora couldn’t stop her gaze from dropping again to Skye’s pregnant belly. She looked up. ‘Congratulations. I wish you all the best in your future with Lazaro.’
Skye put a small pale hand on her belly. She smiled shyly. ‘Thank you...’ Then she blurted out, ‘I felt it move just now...a proper movement.’
The evidence of Skye’s pregnancy only drove home the fact that no matter how in tune Leonora might feel with Gabriel, she really only had one function to fulfil as his wife. Bear him an heir. And she was in danger of forgetting it.
Skye must have seen something on her face. She looked anxious. ‘I’m sorry—did I say something...?’
Leonora forced a smile. ‘No, not at all. I really do wish you all the best in your future with Lazaro and the baby.’
She turned away to leave but Skye reached out and took her hand. ‘I’m sorry again...and I wish you all the best too.’
Leonora was surprised at the surge of emotion she felt at the other woman’s touch and sincerity. She squeezed Skye’s hand and said, ‘Thank you,’ and turned away before she could notice the moisture springing into her eyes. Crazy. What was wrong with her? She’d never really had a close female friend, but she realised now that if she had, she would have wanted her to be someone like Skye.
She walked back into the room, her eyes searching out her husband. She didn’t have to search for long because he was the tallest man in the room. Well, him and the man he was talking to. Lazaro Sanchez. What on earth would he be talking to him for?
Suddenly concerned, Leonora made her way over, seeing the tension in Gabriel’s body. And in Lazaro’s. The grim looks on their faces. This was not a friendly chat. Far from it. They seemed to be locked in some private battle of wills.
She drew closer and they were still oblivious to her. She picked up their conversation.
Lazaro Sanchez was saying, ‘Maybe this time you’ll be surprised, Gabriel, and maybe the best bid will win—the one that has the good of the city at its heart, not just the insatiable Torres need for domination in all things.’
Gabriel took a step closer to Lazaro, his face etched in stark lines. ‘I do remember you, you know. I remember that day when you confronted my father in the street and claimed to be his son. You have a chip on your shoulder, Sanchez, and it’s time to get over it and stop telling yourself you’ve been hard done by.’
Leonora couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. The two men obviously knew each other. Had history. The tension between them was palpable.
She took a step into their space, but even then they didn’t notice her. She said, ‘Hello, Lazaro, it’s nice to see you.’
Lazaro Sanchez blinked and seemed to come out of his angry trance. So did Gabriel, and he immediately reached for Leonora, pulling her close with an arm around her waist.
Lazaro echoed what Skye had said. ‘Leonora. I’m sorry for what happened. It was never my intention to do anything to hurt or embarrass you.’
She smiled tightly. ‘I know. I just met your wife. Congratulations on the baby.’
‘Thank you.’
Lazaro looked at Gabriel and Leonora could feel the tension in her husband’s body. He was rigid with it. She’d never seen him react like this to anyone else.
‘Till next time, Torres.’
Lazaro walked away.
