Read Online Once a Soldier (Rogues Redeemed) by Mary Jo Putney - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Mary Jo Putney
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are welcome. Even song bears.”
“Do you sing?”
He grinned. “In a bearlike way.”
Athena would like to hear that.
The central plaza was quiet, since this wasn’t a market day. As they rode across, Will studied the church that formed one side of the square. “How old is the church? It’s very handsome.”
“The oldest part, the crypt, is over a thousand years old. It’s called the Church of Mary, Queen of Heaven.”
Will gave her a sharp glance. “Does that have anything to do with Prince Alfonso’s comment that the French stole the Queen of Heaven?”
“I’m afraid so. The French stole everything of value, including a beautiful old statue of the Madonna,” Athena explained. “The Queen of Heaven was the most sacred object in San Gabriel and everyone was devastated. The priest, Father Anselmo, tried to stop the thieves and was beaten and left for dead, but he survived. It’s generally thought that the Blessed Mother herself intervened to preserve him.”
The bell tower dominated the town plaza, and as they rode past, the church bells began to ring the hour. Will asked, “Can the bells be heard everywhere in the valley?”
“Yes, and the Church of Santo Espirito in the village at the west end of the valley has a matching set of bells. With a war going on just over the mountains, special warning signals were devised. When the French came, the deacon of Santo Espirito rang the warning that enabled people to escape into the caves.”
“Very good planning,” Will said approvingly as he guided his horse around a cart that had been left in the middle of the street. “If I’d been here, I’d also drill everyone on where they’d go to hide and what they could realistically take with them.”
“That’s exactly what was done here,” Athena said. “Otherwise there would have been many more casualties during the invasion.”
Will gave her a keen glance. “Did you suggest the signals and the drills?”
Surprised by his perception, she said, “It wasn’t all me, but I was part of the war council the king called to discuss preparations for what might happen, and several of my suggestions were adopted.” Carlos had said she was the most valuable member of his council, and privately she knew that he was right. All her years of reading had given her good ideas.
After they left the town behind them, it was only a short ride to the da Silva estate. The sprawling stone residence and outbuildings were surrounded by high walls and wide gardens. The elderly gatekeeper, who admitted them through the cast-iron gates, greeted Athena with a smile.
After returning the greeting, she started up the long drive, saying, “The da Silvas are the second largest landowners after the Alcantaras. Their fields suffered a great deal of damage from the French.”
“What is Señora da Silva like?”
“A lovely woman from a Portuguese family. Her youngest daughter is a close friend of Sofia’s. They went to school together in Porto. The youngest of the sons is at school in Spain and the oldest is a captain serving under his father. Did you meet him?”
“No, everything happened so quickly.” Will slanted her a glance as they reached the stables and dismounted. “There is a middle son?”
Athena sighed. “Was. Alberto was killed fighting under his father.”
“Too many young men have died,” Will said softly. “At least that is over for now.”
Athena’s mouth twisted as she led the way to the house. “I wonder if mankind will ever outgrow the desire for war. Womankind already has.”
“I’ve met some female guerillas as fierce as any man, but, in general, you’re right. Perhaps the world needs more queens and fewer kings.”
Athena pulled the bell rope by the front door. “What do you think of war, Will?”
“Sometimes it’s necessary. Always it is hideously destructive.” Will smiled wryly. “And too often it’s dangerously addictive. Some men thrive on danger and uncertainty and will never
“Do you sing?”
He grinned. “In a bearlike way.”
Athena would like to hear that.
The central plaza was quiet, since this wasn’t a market day. As they rode across, Will studied the church that formed one side of the square. “How old is the church? It’s very handsome.”
“The oldest part, the crypt, is over a thousand years old. It’s called the Church of Mary, Queen of Heaven.”
Will gave her a sharp glance. “Does that have anything to do with Prince Alfonso’s comment that the French stole the Queen of Heaven?”
“I’m afraid so. The French stole everything of value, including a beautiful old statue of the Madonna,” Athena explained. “The Queen of Heaven was the most sacred object in San Gabriel and everyone was devastated. The priest, Father Anselmo, tried to stop the thieves and was beaten and left for dead, but he survived. It’s generally thought that the Blessed Mother herself intervened to preserve him.”
The bell tower dominated the town plaza, and as they rode past, the church bells began to ring the hour. Will asked, “Can the bells be heard everywhere in the valley?”
“Yes, and the Church of Santo Espirito in the village at the west end of the valley has a matching set of bells. With a war going on just over the mountains, special warning signals were devised. When the French came, the deacon of Santo Espirito rang the warning that enabled people to escape into the caves.”
“Very good planning,” Will said approvingly as he guided his horse around a cart that had been left in the middle of the street. “If I’d been here, I’d also drill everyone on where they’d go to hide and what they could realistically take with them.”
“That’s exactly what was done here,” Athena said. “Otherwise there would have been many more casualties during the invasion.”
Will gave her a keen glance. “Did you suggest the signals and the drills?”
Surprised by his perception, she said, “It wasn’t all me, but I was part of the war council the king called to discuss preparations for what might happen, and several of my suggestions were adopted.” Carlos had said she was the most valuable member of his council, and privately she knew that he was right. All her years of reading had given her good ideas.
After they left the town behind them, it was only a short ride to the da Silva estate. The sprawling stone residence and outbuildings were surrounded by high walls and wide gardens. The elderly gatekeeper, who admitted them through the cast-iron gates, greeted Athena with a smile.
After returning the greeting, she started up the long drive, saying, “The da Silvas are the second largest landowners after the Alcantaras. Their fields suffered a great deal of damage from the French.”
“What is Señora da Silva like?”
“A lovely woman from a Portuguese family. Her youngest daughter is a close friend of Sofia’s. They went to school together in Porto. The youngest of the sons is at school in Spain and the oldest is a captain serving under his father. Did you meet him?”
“No, everything happened so quickly.” Will slanted her a glance as they reached the stables and dismounted. “There is a middle son?”
Athena sighed. “Was. Alberto was killed fighting under his father.”
“Too many young men have died,” Will said softly. “At least that is over for now.”
Athena’s mouth twisted as she led the way to the house. “I wonder if mankind will ever outgrow the desire for war. Womankind already has.”
“I’ve met some female guerillas as fierce as any man, but, in general, you’re right. Perhaps the world needs more queens and fewer kings.”
Athena pulled the bell rope by the front door. “What do you think of war, Will?”
“Sometimes it’s necessary. Always it is hideously destructive.” Will smiled wryly. “And too often it’s dangerously addictive. Some men thrive on danger and uncertainty and will never
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