26. Chapter 26

Chapter 26

"It seems impossible to repress Iberian blood at the age of twenty." The Duchess de DinoHenrique closed his mouth against Rafaela’s onslaught and held her at arm’s length. "Stop acting. Your husband isn’t here."

She laughed, her red lipstick now bleeding into her chin. "Why so tense? Your experiments? Are they giving you trouble? I can help." She moved behind him, her breasts crushing against his midback, and kneaded his shoulders.

Henrique stepped forward and waved to the open door. "Good night, Rafaela."

She pouted. "Let me stay… I’ll make your night really good."

Henrique pinched the bridge of his nose. "I tire of your games. You love Canastra. Do nothing to cause regret in the morning."

"Do you see these?" She cupped her breasts.

“Hard not to,” Henrique said dryly.

"I won’t be like the other matrons who marry and spout a kid or two, then let their bodies go and become fat like pigs in a cornfield, secure that in this country, divorce is blasphemy, and though their husbands might take a mistress, no king or pope can take a wife from her home and children. I want more than a life of duty. I’m done waiting for Canastra. I want passion, and I want it now."

And he was the stallion waiting to perform? She better stay in line then. He massaged his temples against a wave of headache. Everything was askew in this place. The first time he’d acted with pundonor, he was rejected. Isabel wanted the rake, not the honorable gentleman. And it hurt. "The stud is closed."

"What a shame… Won’t you make an exception? Both of us will be free. My husband plans a secret trip and will take your protégée with him."

Henrique froze. “Where?”

She tossed her hair and rolled her eyes. "Cordoba, Madrid, the fifth hell? I care not where."

Henrique grabbed her shoulders. "What does Canastra plan to do with Isabel?"

Frowning, she inspected him with sensual black eyes. "It is true, is it not? You are in love with her?"

Henrique released her and crossed his arms. He would take Isabel away from here on the morrow. To hell with the king and Pedro. "My relationship with Princess Isabel does not concern you."

She laughed, and the sound grated on his ears. "She might amuse herself with you for a while, but such a brilliant scientist should know… She won’t marry you."

Henrique clenched his hands. He didn’t need Rafaela to remind him of life’s facts, damn it.

"Don’t you see? Isabel is just like Canastra. She loves her duty above all else." Rafaela sneered and left the room.