Read Online It's Just Lola by Dixiane Hallaj - Free Book Online Page A

began in a voice that could barely be heard as her cheeks turned bright red.  Then she lifted her chin and started again, more firmly.  “If you must know, because I ’ m expecting a gentleman to call on you this evening.”
    “What gentleman?”
    Lola was spellbound.  So this was the big secret .   She looked from her father to Enriqueta, willing her to answer.  Who could it be?  The girls had not met many gentlemen, and Lola couldn ’ t think of one who might be calling.  Enriqueta was clearly floundering.  She was afraid not to answer her father, yet she knew that the man was supposed to broach the subject of marriage to the family.  Lola could feel her pain and indecision—even without seeing her hands behind her back mercilessly wringing the skirt of her dress.
    “I’m waiting . ” Enrique’s face darken ed in anger.  Jacoba arched an eyebrow.
    “Rudolfo Alvarez is going to call this evening to ask for my hand in marriage.”
    Lola’s insides turned to stone.  Rudolfo?  And Enriqueta?  That wasn ’ t possible .
    “How do you know this?” T heir father’s voice took on an icy calm.
    Enriqueta lifted her chin. “We ’ ve been visiting in the mornings for some time.”
    In the mornings he ’ s out in the fields with Father .
    “In the morning he ’ s supposed to be studying the books on agriculture and bookkeeping.  He claims the sun gives him headaches.”  There was a tinge of disgust in their father’s voice.
    “He studies during siesta time . ” Enriqueta smiled.
    But siesta time is our time! 
    “But of course you had one of the servants with you. ”  Their father’s voice became even more icy and calm.   “ And why hasn ’ t he approached me earlier?” 
    “Because he was waiting for the exact right moment . ”
    Lola felt a chill as Enriqueta echoed the words she herself had heard so often. 
    “He wants to be careful about his timing.  He says you’re a bit…”  Enriqueta stumbled as she tried to remember the word.
    “…a bit volatile . ” Lola completed the familiar sentence without realizing that she spoke aloud.
    “…volatile,” echoed Enriqueta, ignoring her sister.
    Jacoba interrupted with words she spat from the top of her throat like an angry cat.  “Look at her!  Ask her who went with her during those visits.  The servants are all working in the mornings.  I know where every one of the servants is every moment of the day.  Ask her who acted as chaperone.  Ask her.” 
    At last their father tore his eyes away from Enriqueta and turned his head toward the incessant grating sound of his wife’s voice.  “How is it that you know where each one of the servants is every moment of the day, but you have no idea what the young ladies who are your husband’s children are doing?”  He turned his head back toward Enriqueta.  Jacoba stiffened and her fingers spread and curled.  Lola almost expected to see her nails lengthen. 
    “Ask her where she went and what she did during those visits.” Jacoba spat out the words like venom. 
    “Silence, woman .  This is between me and my daughter. ” T heir father ’s eyes did not leave Enriqueta .  “Tell me more, Enriqueta.”
    “He said you would be expecting his request of my hand.  Why else would you hire an inexperienced young person as distillery master instead of training an experienced worker?”  Enriqueta paused for breath .
    “…Because ,” said Lola, staring unseeing in front of her , “ he needs a man from an aristocratic family to train as a future son-in-law , a son-in-law trained to run the distillery his bride will receive as her dowry.”  Lola rose from her chair with the look of a sleepwalker.  Enriqueta ’s expression went from confusion to horror. 
    “But when will you ask him, Beloved Rudolfo? ” Lola took a step forward.  “I ’ m waiting for the exact right moment, Beloved Lola.   Don’t worry, Dearest Lola.  Very soon we ’ ll be together always.”