Read Online San Antonio Rose (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon - Free Book Online

had taken the sunlight with her when she left.
The first drops of rain splattered on Ian's face
as he went in the direction of his cabin to
gather supplies for his journey. It didn't sit well
with him that he had to settle matters with
Travis and Bowie and tell them to abandon the
old mission as Houston had ordered. They
were both capable men and didn't need him to
remind them of their duty. And he was puzzled
by Houston's statement that Emerada was in
danger.
    Why was Houston interested in the dancer?

     

The dust cloud that rose from hundreds of
milling horses made Santa Anna's encampment
easy to see from a great distance. Emerada
halted her mount beside Domingo and gazed at
the scene with great trepidation.
    "Stay beside me. I am afraid, Domingo. If
Santa Anna discovers my real intent, he will
not hesitate to have me shot."
    Domingo had always been a man of few
words, and now was no exception. "You do not
have to do this."
    "Si I do. You know I do."
    He merely nodded.
    Emerada gathered her courage, knowing she
would be safe with the fearsome but gentle giant beside her. When she had been a child,
his presence had always chased away imaginary monsters. Now she needed his strength
more than ever because the monster was very
real-the monster had a name, and that name
was Santa Anna.

    She slapped her reins against the rump of
her horse. "Let's go before I change my mind."
    When they reached the encampment, Emerada was recognized and waved through by
smiling sentries all along the way. It wasn't difficult to find Santa Anna's personal tent. Who
else would dare to occupy a red and white tent
made of the purest silk?
    She dismounted and tossed the reins of her
horse to Domingo. She was ushered into Santa
Anna's tent by the man who stood guard.
    Santa Anna reclined on a bed with silk coverings while a servant set out his meal on a table
covered with white linen. The silver utensils
and china dishes were monogrammed with
gold.
    Santa Anna beamed at her and rose hastily
to his feet. "Senorita Emerada, you have kept
your word. You have come back to me!"
    She removed her hat and gripped it in her
hand. "When you know me better, you will
know that I always keep my word."
    His eyes moved over her, taking in her
beauty. "I like that in a woman, among other
merits."
    She hoped he could not see how she was shak ing. "With your permission, Senor Presidente, I
would like to dance for the soldiers. They must
be weary and in need of entertainment."

    He took her hand, raised it to his lips, and
said in a deep voice, "And what about your
Presidente? Is he not in need of entertainment?"
    She withdrew her hand and moved a few
steps from him. "I will dance for you as well."
    "Ali, I see. You are going to be hard to win."
He bowed to her. "I like a challenge. A battle
too easily won soon loses its thrill." He pulled
out a chair for her. "Come and dine with me.
You must be famished."
    Emerada sat down, realizing she was hungry.
There was a chicken dish, beef, vegetables of
every kind, and a bowl of exotic fruit. "Everything looks delicious."
    Santa Anna filled her plate, his eyes on her
every moment. "I like looking at you, Emerada.
Never have I seen a woman so beautiful and
graceful as you."
    "You will make me blush if you continue to
flatter me."
    A man entered carrying a dispatch, which he
handed to Santa Anna. Santa Anna excused
himself while he read it, and then he wadded it
in his fist. "We march on San Antonio de Bexar
as planned. Those cowards in Mexico City
think they can tell me how to fight a war. I am
dictator, general, and president-I alone will
decide where and when to fight!"
    The messenger cringed visibly and hastily departed when Santa Anna gave him permission. As if nothing unpleasant had happened,
Santa Anna turned back to Emerada. "Forgive
me if such matters take my attention from you.
It will not happen again."

    Ian flattened his body against the cliff, waiting