Wicked Whispers by Tina Donahue

down. She’d promised to stay here until he returned. Or had she? He thought back, realizing she’d nodded but hadn’t actually offered her word.
    He lifted his face to the ceiling and thought of the areas above filled with guests, Luscinda, her mamá. Sancha dressed as a boy, possibly surrounded by everyone, while she tried to dodge their questions.
    * * * *
    Isabella held up her green gown adorned with tiny pearls. “This should do nicely. Fernando gave it to me the day we wed when he thought I was you.”
    Sancha sat on the edge of Isabella’s mattress, sack hat in hand. Her tangled hair flowed over her shirt streaked with Maria’s blood and dust from the secret room.
    Isabella regarded her closely. “Did your treatment go well?”
    Sancha didn’t answer, concerned what she had to tell her sister.
    Isabella sucked in a breath. “Oh no. The child died?”
    “No. Not at all. I…”
    “What?” Isabella joined her on the bed. “Tell me.”
    She covered her eyes with her hand. “After your guests leave, Enrique plans to move my books and me to his castle.”
    “Wonderful!” She hugged Sancha heartily, rocking her back and forth.
    Isabella’s galgo , Diego, pushed his narrow snout between them.
    “Diego.” She tried to be firm but was soon caressing the dog that licked her cheeks and chin. “You must give your mamá some peace. Go over there and wait.” She pointed to a bed of soft blankets created for the greyhound.
    Once he’d obeyed her, she blew him a kiss. “Good boy.” She faced Sancha. “I knew Enrique would win you over. When do you plan to wed?”
    She leaned away. “Never. I want no man ruling me, as you well know.”
    Isabella made a face. “How can you live with Enrique if you refuse to wed him? A betrothal will never stop gossip.”
    “There will be no betrothal either.”
    “What—why? Wait.” Isabella shook her head. “As much as I love you, I could never leave Fernando to serve as chaperone for days, months, possibly years on end. My duty is here with him.”
    “Mine is to protect both of you. Enrique pointed out how inconsiderate I was to bring my books here, exposing Fernando, you, and your unborn child to the Inquisition.”
    Isabella sniffed. “No one would ever suspect me of witchcraft. I have no idea how to take care of any illness nor do I wish to learn. As to Fernando, why would anyone suspect such a great warrior, a knight with no equal?”
    “Because of me. My thirst for knowledge and healing taints the entire family.”
    She took Sancha’s hands and stared at the linen wrappings. “Why did you tell Enrique anything?”
    “Confession was never my intent. He followed me to the village and saw what I do. You must have a word with Fernando about the peasants. They lack adequate food.”
    “The village belongs to the noble who owns the adjacent estate.”
    “Then Fernando must have a word with him.”
    “Your worry about the peasants’ food led you to confess everything to Enrique?”
    “No. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was showing him my books in the secret room.”
    Isabella grew thoughtful, nodding finally. “Did he kiss you?”
    Sancha pulled her hands away. “Do you think of nothing but romance?”
    “Someone has to. You surely give the matter no thought.”
    “We kissed quite shamelessly.”
    “I knew it.” Hands over her heart, she sighed. “Was it the most glorious moment in your life?”
    Far better than that and best not repeated. Sancha rubbed her forehead wondering how she could avoid Enrique’s mouth, hands, passion, and her own when they were under the same roof with servants who would turn a blind eye even if he stripped her bare and took her on every available surface.
    She held back a moan. “More thrilling than I ever imagined.”
    “Wait till you lie with him.”
    She rolled her eyes.
    “You will.” Isabella wagged her finger. “From the moment Fernando kissed me, I found myself falling hopelessly in love, even