Read Online Wicked Whispers by Tina Donahue - Free Book Online Page B

reminding me repeatedly? I will be eternally grateful for your efforts, but I will not allow you to put him at risk with these.” He gestured to her books. “What do you intend to do if the authorities come here to search? Tell them the volumes walked in on their own?”
    Her frown dissolved into a surprised expression followed by concern. “That could never happen.”
    “Why not? Although Fernando’s holdings are far less than yours, inquisitors would find them equally attractive. After all, wealth is wealth.”
    “Fernando served Spain bravely in his battles, proving his loyalty to the Crown and Church. No one would ever suspect him of heresy or witchery.”
    “They might be suspicious of you. As your brother-in-law, Fernando may have known the details of your alleged crimes and hidden them from the authorities at Isabella’s request. Perhaps by keeping your books here.”
    Sancha backed away. Enrique followed. “Tell me, did Isabella inform my brother that you have the volumes hidden here? I won’t bother to inquire whether she asked Fernando his opinion on the matter, seeking his dreaded permission first. Isabella does whatever she wants, the same as you. At least until now.”
    Sancha stopped pulling in her shoulders.
    If she were preparing to do battle with him, she would never win.
    “Finally, I understand your intent.” She looked down her nose at him. “You mean to secure my obedience to your will by threatening me.”
    “Never, and you know so in your heart. I simply want you to see reason. You had no right to bring these books here and put my brother, his wife, and their coming child at risk. For a caring woman with the peasants, your behavior with your own family has been quite inconsiderate.”
    Her cheeks flushed darker than they had before. She pressed her fingers to her forehead.
    He wanted to say something to make matters better but couldn’t dismiss the gravity of her actions. She wasn’t a foolish woman except when it came to healing.
    “I was wrong to have done this.” She dropped her hand. “Isabella only suggested the room because she knows I worry about saving this knowledge for future healers. I shall move the books at once.”
    “Where? Back to your castle?”
    “No. Too many already know of my desire for knowledge and question why I would prefer books to parties. The convent is equally dangerous. None of the sisters would betray me, of course. They want to learn as I do. The sacerdote who oversees them is an arrogant man, wanting to keep women from knowing too much. He would readily contact the authorities.” She strode back and forth, chewing on the edge of her thumb. “There has to be another place.”
    “There is. Mine.”
    She stopped. “Your castle? No. Never.”
    “Why? I have even more hiding places in mine than Fernando has here.”
    “And the same risk of discovery. You rail at me for putting him in danger, then offer to do the same for yourself?”
    “My ties to Isabella and you are nowhere near as strong as his.” Yet. “My suggestion is the perfect solution.”
    “For who? In addition to keeping my books safe, I need them at hand to study and perform my experiments.”
    “You can do whatever you need at my castle. If you require an entire wing and every mouse on the estate, you shall have both.”
    “No.” She paced even faster. “What of the peasants I have seen to for years? If—”
    “Years?” He regarded her clothing. “I thought last night was the first time you dressed as a boy.”
    “It was. I tended to the peasants at the convent, though not to the extent I would have liked.”
    “At my estate, freedom is yours.”
    “To do what? Decide which of your demands to obey first?”
    Oh, this woman. Intractable. Maddening. And unfortunately, irresistible to him. “My only request is for you to remain safe.”
    “Under your protection.”
    “What else?”
    She advanced so quickly, he instinctively stepped back.
    “Under your protection as what?