Wicked Whispers by Tina Donahue Page A

though he belonged to you.”
    “I never wanted him. Splendid warrior that he is.”
    “Then everything worked out as it should. You and Enrique were meant to be together.”
    She feared Isabella was right. Circumstances kept pushing them close as though fate wanted her to be a wife and mother rather than a healer. She should have been able to do both with none of her dreams so needlessly complicated and dangerous.
    A sharp rap rattled the door. She flinched.
    Grimacing, Isabella pushed to her feet. Sancha grabbed her hand. “Are you feeling all right? Is the infant giving you trouble?”
    “Only when I awake. Afterward, I could battle any puto who dared threaten me or Fernando.”
    “Best not to let your husband hear you utter that word.”
    “He always forgives my indiscretions.” Isabella grinned. “As I said, we play games. If you only knew…”
    Sancha hoped she never would, afraid Isabella’s tales might give her ideas when it came to Enrique. “Are you going to answer your door?” Whoever was on the other side had rapped again.
    “I fear it may be Luscinda. She came here earlier looking for Enrique.”
    “Why?”
    “She has her eye on him. You best catch him while you can.”
    At the rate their relationship was progressing, within a day or two they’d be so entwined and moaning merrily, no one would be able to separate them. Not even Luscinda.
    Sancha had seen the young woman eye Enrique at the gathering. She remembered the cutting comments about her returning to the convent, how lucky she was not having to keep up with her appearance. She could become even uglier than she already was and no one would care.
    She dug her nails more deeply into her palms. “If she gives you any trouble, leave her to me.”
    “Aha, you do want Enrique.”
    Of course she did, no matter how foolhardy her feelings were.
    Isabella opened the door and growled. “Whatever do you want this time—Enrique?”
    “You expected someone else?”
    “Ah, no. Sancha is over there.” She pointed.
    He stormed to her.
    Sancha stood and backed away.
    “Why did you leave the room?” He gestured wildly. “I looked everywhere for you.”
    “You never returned. I had no choice but to leave.”
    “Dressed as you are?” He lifted her blanket. “When I brought you this to wear?”
    “Wait.” Isabella held up her hand. “You expect her to put on bedding when you rail about what she has on now?”
    He looked over. “Do you mind? Your sister and I would like to be alone.”
    “In Isabella’s room?” Sancha asked.
    “You give me no choice. You fled before I could come back as I promised.”
    “What kept you?” Isabella eyed the blanket. “Did you have trouble pulling the sheets off the bed?”
    “How you jest.” He gave her a sour look. “Sancha’s gown and other items are inside. I came upon so many guests before I could get to your sister’s room, the greetings and converse nearly did me in.”
    Sancha could imagine. “Was one of those guests Luscinda? Isabella said she came here asking where you were.”
    His face went white.
    Isabella didn’t see. She had her back to him as she closed the door. “Luscinda appears to want you quite badly. Of course, we know she has no chance for your heart.”
    A faint blush tinted his cheeks, though not enough to restore his color.
    Sancha’s stomach hurt. “What is it?”
    “Luscinda stopped me on the stairway. She was the one on the balcony earlier, not Isabella. She saw you with me.”
    Isabella joined them. “What are you talking about? What were you doing?”
    “Riding his horse.” Sancha spoke to him. “What did you say?”
    “What else? I denied everything and left as quickly as I could.” He glanced at Isabella. “You may hear rumors. I trust you to handle them quickly.”
    “Of course. If Luscinda says anything untoward concerning either of you, she will have to deal with me.”
    “Not only her, everyone. Should anyone ask about Sancha in the coming days, tell