Page 19 of Beyond the Desert Sands

She wore an old-fashioned gown with a full skirt and a snug-fitting jacket. Josephina Garcia had not advanced her wardrobe with the times, but no one faulted her for it.

“What can I do for you, Diego? You know that Isabella is gone.”

“Yes, but I’ve come to speak to you. First to ask if you’ve heard from her, and second to discuss some business.”

She frowned. “Very well. Have a seat, and let us get to it.”

He joined her near the fire. She chose a wingback chair and perched herself on the edge. Diego chose the large leather chair on the opposite side of the fireplace.

“So, tell me what you have come to say. I have a very busy day ahead of me. I had a brief telegram to let me know Isabella arrived safely but nothing since.”

“I am sorry for intruding this way. I was going to wait until Isabella was back and I could propose to her, but I thought this much too important to wait. You see, it’s for your benefit that I have come.”

She eyed him as if carefully considering his words. “I have no idea what you are suggesting.”

“I’d like to help you here at the Garcia estates. I know from Isabella that you have struggled to keep up with everything. I know the staff are only a few now and have difficulty keeping up with their duties. I know you’ve been unable to find a man to manage things for you—someone you felt you could trust—so my father sent his man to help you. I’d like to offer my own skills in his place. Since Isabella and I are to be married, and because I know she has no desire to leave this house, I would be happy to take the heavy responsibilities from your shoulders.”

“I see.”

“It’s obvious that a lot of things are being left undone,” he continued. “I have ideas for making it a great hacienda again. I think you’ll be surprised at just how much thought I’ve given this.”

“No, frankly, I’m not that surprised, since I know you’ve had your eye on my niece. However, I can tell you that my brother will never agree to you marrying her.”

“What? How can you say that?” Diego didn’t have to feign his surprise. Isabella had always assured him that her parents adored him. Granted, he hadn’t seen them since he was a young man, but he had thought they were all on good standing with each other.

“I say it because it’s true. My brother knows all about your philandering. He would never accept such a man as husband for his daughter.”

Anger stirred deep within him. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve merely done as most young men do and enjoyed my youth. How can I be faulted for that?”

“You are long past the years of your youth, Diego. By now you should be settled in your life’s work with a home of your own. Instead, you have gambled yourself into debt, if the rumors are true, and fathered illegitimate children, doing nothing to care for them. Your father, in fact, has found it necessary to assist in seeing to those children.”

He pressed his hands against his chest. “And left me no need to do anything. Honestly, how can I be faulted? He took it completely out of my control.”

“Nevertheless, my brother was appalled by the truth.”

“Why did you tell him if you knew it would upset him?”

She looked at him as if he were something to be pitied. “I didn’t have to tell him. Your father and he are good friends. They write to each other often.”

Diego seethed. How like his father to put an end to his plans once again. “My father is given to exaggeration.”

“And my brother is given to honoring God. He’s a deeply religious man and would never allow you to marry Isabella with such a reputation. Therefore, I must refuse your generous offer.” She got to her feet. “Besides, my brother and I no longer own this property.”

For the second time in the course of the conversation, Diego was taken completely by surprise. “You sold it?”

“We did. I’ve been given permission to live here at the house until my death.” She moved toward the door, and Diego jumped up to follow her.

“But why did you sell it? Isabella will be devastated.”

“It’s true that she loves this place, and for that I am saddened to know this will break her heart.”

The old woman opened the parlor door and exited to the hall. Diego followed her, wondering if there was anything he could do to alter the situation.

“But surely you could stop the sale.”

She shook her head. “The sale took place over a year ago. I cannot change what has happened.”

“But who ... who bought the property?”

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