Secrets by Brenda Joyce Page B

’37. All of the Mexican ranchos were originally Spanish missions; when Mexico gained her independence from Spain in ’22, she claimed California. Mexican soldiers and settlers, even some foreigners, petitioned and received large grants of land. Our grant was one of the first. My grandfather was a soldier. Of course, when California became a state, we lost most of our land. But we fared better than the rest of the Californios, most of whom lost everything. And those that didn’t lose their land soon divided it up. Rick would never do that.”
    Despite herself, Regina finally let her thoughts slip free of Slade, and she turned to face Edward. “Why did you lose your land?”
    â€œThe Americans wanted it. The Californio claims were old, the original grants often lost or unreadable, boundaries often—and usually—marked by nature: a pair of boulders, for example, or the turnoff of a creek, or a tree that was struck by lightning. As you can imagine, in a half a century creeks change course or dry up completely, boulders are removed, trees are chopped down or uprooted by storms.” Edward shrugged. “Most of the Californio grants were overturned, the land given to the newcomers by the newcomers’ courts. We spent a dozen years defending our claim, at a great expense, and fortunately we retained a third of our holdings.” He smiled. “Truth is, the original grant was so large it was not just unmanageable, it was obscene.”
    A woman entered the courtyard from the far side of the house and began walking toward them.
    Regina watched her, saying, “But that seems so unfair.”
    â€œIs life fair?”
    She looked at Slade’s brother, who was no longer smiling, who was suddenly serious and intent. She didnot have to know him well to know that he possessed a sunny and pleasing character. Yet in that instant, she saw the shadow in his eyes. A shiver touched her. For he was right. Life was most definitely not fair. She had only to recall the tragedy of James Delanza’s death or her own plight in order to agree with his assessment.
    â€œEdward,” the woman called.
    Regina turned to her curiously. She was a slender woman with gleaming auburn hair that was pulled back into a fashionable and classic chignon. She moved forward with resolute strides. As she came closer Regina saw that she was an older woman, perhaps forty, but a beautiful one. Regina also noticed that her pastel-green dress had once been designed to accommodate a bustle. It had been altered, but there was no mistaking its original intent. It was more than a few years old and hopelessly out of fashion.
    â€œThis is my mother, Victoria,” Edward said.
    â€œAnd you must be Elizabeth.” The woman smiled, extending her hand. “How very nice to finally meet you after all these years.”
    Regina shook her hand. Although the woman’s words were warm, they rang false. Her smile seemed as brittle as glass. When Regina looked into her eyes, she saw that they glittered. A chill crept up the back of her neck.
    â€œI hope you are not too upset over the trauma you have suffered,” Victoria said.
    â€œI feel much better today,” Regina said. “Thank you.”
    â€œCome with me. Slade will bring your luggage in. I’m giving you a guest room which also faces the ocean. It’s the coolest room in the house. There’s almost always a breeze.”
    Regina hadn’t realized that they were that close to the Pacific Ocean. She was hurried along, leaving Edward leaning against the thick wall in front of the house with a cigarette in one hand, rummaging intently in his pockets with the other, apparently no longer even aware of her.
    Regina followed Victoria into the house, and it was like entering another world in another time and place.The furniture was dark, heavy, and old. The Oriental rugs were exquisite but very faded and so worn that she actually discerned several