The Forbidden Promise (8 page)

Aurora looked down, sorry.

“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s because I was
frightened. I didn’t think I would find myself in this situation."

“And what did you think would happen coming to work as a doctor
in this place? These people are poor, but mostly ignorant, and many of them are
accustomed to violence because they haven’t known anything else in life.
They’re certainly not gallant dandies with women. You'll run into more than one
risk coming to work here. Neither the good nuns, nor Dr. Peron will always be
able to protect you."

“So you also think I shouldn’t be a doctor just because I'm a
woman?"

“I never said that, indeed, it’s right that women can also prove
their worth outside the home, and if you want to be a doctor, I find your commitment
and your courage admirable. Only you should be more aware of the risks you take
and be careful not to underestimate them."

Aurora was struck by Lucas’ words.  Lucas smiled and turned
around. He grabbed the brute, still lying on the ground, and took him to the
exit.

"Go for walk and don’t come back until you’ve learned some
manners," he ordered.

Aurora paused to look at him, when she felt someone touch her
shoulder.

"Ma’am," said the poor mother, "please excuse my
husband. But, will you carry on treating my son?"

"But of course, don’t worry," she said, and then
turning to the other patients asked with a smile, "who would like to be
next?”

The day ended with Aurora taking care of the last patient, suturing
a suspected stab wound of a large man of few words. Aurora had been careful to
avoid asking him any questions.

She had stopped for only a short time during the day to eat some
soup cooked by the convent’s cook. Immediately after lunch Dr. Peron had
arrived, bringing with him some medical supplies. He had gone to San Luis where
a pharmacist friend of his had sold him the supplies at a good price.

"You know doctor, one of the main problems here is the
supply of drugs and medical supplies," he explained.

Aurora was surprised by Dr. Peron’s attitude who was gentle,
quiet, and with a perpetual look of sadness in his eyes. He had accepted her
without problems, treating her as an equal and seemed honestly happy to be
working with her. Aurora noticed that his hands trembled slightly as he placed
the drugs in the dispensary.
Poor thing, with those hands he certainly can’t
operate
, she immediately thought.

In the afternoon the two worked diligently together, helped by
Mother Agostina the head of the infirmary.

"I think it’s time for you to go home," said Dr. Peron
at the end of the day. "It is almost sunset."

“Yes, you’re right," said Aurora placing the suture thread
in the dispensary. "It wasn’t bad, for the first day."

"I would say so,” agreed Dr. Peron. “Your father must be
very proud of you."

Aurora smiled and nodded.
" Yes, my father is," she said.
My mother is certainly not. Who
knows what she’ll say to me, since I didn’t even go home for lunch
.

Determined not to think about it, she said goodbye to the doctor
and the good nuns. Luckily Mother Superior had gone to Father Julian‘s church
to talk about the girls who were to receive their first communion there
shortly.
Thank goodness, one meeting this morning was enough so at least I
can be alone for a while.
The Mother Superior would certainly have had a
nun or novice escort her home.

Out in the street she saw that the sky was slowly becoming
tinged with orange.
It would be nice to see the sunset over the sea.
To
delay would have meant to be subjected to her mother’s reproaches, Aurora
decided to go to the beach anyway. The beauty of the landscape hit her again.
The lush palm trees, fine sand and the sky blazing with a huge red disc that
was getting closer and closer to the expanse of turquoise sea. She started to
stroll along the beach, alternately admiring the sea and trees. Among the
branches, she saw the small chapel of
La Virgen del Mar
. She remembered
that on August 15
^th
Father Julian held a mass there and then went to
the harbor to bless the boats, while the whole village celebrated the feast of
the Assumption.
She carried on walking, reflecting on the happy day.
I really missed my
work.

Not that the day had begun under the best auspices. Early on,
she had risked being struck by a punch, but luckily, Lucas had intervened to
save her.
Again Lucas Navarra y Reyes
. After her stay in Mexico City,
she had been impatient to get back to Tampico to see Federico. Instead, by a
twist of fate, she found herself in a short space of time bumping into his
brother Lucas on several occasions that she had not even known existed.

Immersed in her thoughts she did not notice she had strayed so
far. She had reached a point where the beach was narrow, with many dark rocks
that further on formed an imposing cliff. Among the palms, she saw a small
shack made of wood and straw.

Suddenly Aurora saw someone sneak into the trees. It was a
woman, covered with a cloak.

Intrigued she approached. The figure took off her hood and a
cascade of blond hair fell on the shoulders of a young woman. Aurora recognized
her.
It’s my cousin Marisol! What is she doing here, moving so stealthily?

Then a man came out of the shack. Aurora held her breath when
she saw it was Lucas Navarra y Reyes. As soon as she saw him, Marisol, ran to
embrace him, the two exchanged a passionate kiss and entered, closing the broken
door behind them.

Aurora thought she was going crazy.
It can’t be! My cousin
Marisol? She’s always been a pure and virtuous girl and now ... that devil! It
must have been his fault!

She felt the blood in her veins boil, seething with rage she
approached the door of the shack. She did not think of herself as a simpleton
who did not know what went on in the world, however she was troubled that her
cousin Marisol who looked so angelic, innocent and noble, had allowed herself
to be led into a clandestine affair. But what made her even angrier was knowing
that the man who had seduced her was Lucas.
With his cheap dandy ways.

She got to the door and knocked violently. She tried to open it,
but the door was locked from the inside in some way, so she resigned herself to
waiting. She heard some sudden movements, then footsteps approaching, before
the door was opened by Lucas.

When he saw her, his green eyes furrowed as he stared at her and
started to question her.

"You? What do you want? "He asked abruptly.

“I want to see my cousin Marisol." She hissed back,
struggling not to lower her eyes.
It’s he who should be ashamed, not me!

"Aurora, my God!" exclaimed Marisol frightened, while
awkwardly trying to cover her breasts with the edges of her unlaced corset.

“How could you do this?" Asked Aurora vehemently. "Let
yourself be seduced by this man! You, the Countess of Rivera!"

"I haven’t seduced anyone,” intervened Lucas.

"Silence ! How dare you speak, you have sullied my cousin’s
good name, an honorable lady! You’ve taken advantage of a pure and innocent
girl!" She turned to her cousin "Marisol, He forced you, was it
blackmail?"

“Give me a break, don’t talk nonsense, your cousin knows what
she's doing and I didn’t need to take by force what she was more than willing to
offer me!" Lucas interjected angrily.

At these harsh words, the two women gasped, "Damn you, you
take me for a slut?" cried Marisol who blinded by anger raised a hand and
delivered a resounding slap to Lucas’ handsome and insolent face. “I’ll
certainly not stay here to be insulted by a wretch like you. You're worth
nothing compared to your brother Federico. He knows how to treat a lady! He
lavishes me with attention and respects me!"

Aurora gasped.
Federico? What are you talking about?

Lucas replied, "if you think that Federico is better than
me go and lift your skirt for him. I don’t share anything with my brother, let
alone women. Go away, marry him as well, you’re made for each other."

Marisol screamed and lunged at Lucas. Lucas tried to keep her
away with one arm, but could not avoid Marisol planting her nails into his
cheek, leaving three long bloody red streaks. Panting, Marisol broke away from
him, looked at him with eyes full of hate and said, "It’s me who doesn’t
want to see you, Lucas Navarra y Reyes, ever again. Remember, you'll pay for
this insult!" Marisol turned to Aurora who had watched the scene appalled
she gave her a look of resentment then walked away.

Aurora looked with apprehension at Lucas’ bloodied face. She
tried to stammer a few words but was too upset by the cruel eyes that stared
back at her. Lucas slowly approached her, his arms stretched out and without
touching her, pinned her to the wall of the shack. "Well, well,
Miss
Aurora," he growled hoarsely. "Once again we meet and always less
pleasantly. Do you want by any chance to take the place of your beautiful
little cousin? Who knows, I might gain something in the exchange."

Aurora shivered with fear, but somehow, she found the strength
to respond. “You know that I don’t have enough physical strength to resist, but
do you really want to stoop so low?"

Lucas pulled away slightly, regaining some semblance of calm.
“As I’ve already said I’m not the type to claim a woman who isn’t willing to
give herself freely. However, it would be better if you left."

Aurora reached out a hand to his wounded cheek. "Let me
disinfect your cheek, you're bleeding a lot."

Lucas gave a hint of a smile, “Yes, A rabid cat ambushed me.
Come inside there’s a lamp." He gently took her hand and led her inside.

Aurora sat down on the makeshift bed and began searching inside
the medicine bag that she was carrying.

"This will burn a little," said Aurora lifting her
face to Lucas.

He noticed tears forming on her lashes. "Why are you
weeping?" He asked in amazement. "You didn’t think I would really
hurt you?"

Aurora turned her face away muttering, " No, that's not
why, it’s that ... " but her words were lost in sobs.

"Aurora, tell me, what’s happened? I'm sorry for being so
rude to you." Lucas took her chin and turned her face gently towards him.

"I'm a silly romantic, I thought he loved me, and instead
he was teasing me."

Lucas stared at her confused. "What are you talking about?
I don’t understand."

"In Mexico City, Federico was courting me, he told me that
he would marry me and instead he did the same with Marisol here."

"That bastard, he never changes!" Railed Lucas.

Aurora gasped and jumped up. "Excuse me, I should never
have talked to you about it."

"I hope that he hasn’t taken advantage of you in addition
to being cheated."

"I'm not that kind of woman," she replied blushing
violently. "I’ve got to go, I'm already very late. Goodbye." Aurora
left the shack so fast that Lucas did not have time to reply.

Why did
I offend Marisol so badly? I said things that I’ve never thought before. Even
threatening Aurora. What the hell came over me? It seems that that woman is
able to bring out the worst in me. I’ve never been interested in what people
think, but her criticism makes me lose my head.

When Aurora arrived home it was dark.
Doña
Viviana came
to meet her. "You're back at last. Your father was about to go looking for
you. Good heavens, but what happened to you? You seem upset my dear!"

“Nothing, I'm just very tired mother, forgive me, I’
d like to go upstairs to my room, if you’ll excuse me.”

Aurora ran up the stairs.

"Aurora, dinner is about to be served at the table,"
said
Doña
Viviana, but Aurora didn’t hear her. She entered her room and
threw herself on the bed crying.
Federico why have you deceived me in this
way? Why have you played with my feelings? I loved you ... I was deluded, a
silly girl, just like those flirts who I despise so much. Federico, how could
you do this to me?

Aurora woke up
exhausted. She had cried for a good part of the night. When she had finally
fallen asleep, it had been a restless sleep and she had been tormented by the
wildest dreams.

In a smoky frame, she saw herself seized by Federico, his
ice-colored eyes staring at her as he kissed her passionately. Then Federico
had let her go and Aurora saw him smile at another woman, her cousin Marisol.
Painfully she saw them hugging and kissing each other.

She had run away upset as she heard the two lovers’ laughter.
She found herself on the beach, watching the waves. But she was not alone, on the
sand sitting close by were Lucas and Marisol caressing each other, one
bare-chested, the other with her bodice unfastened,. Aurora shouted her
cousin’s name. At that moment, Lucas turned to stare at her, fixing her with
his emerald green eyes. He stood up and came towards her. She had not been able
to move a muscle as he took her in his strong arms and kissed her passionately
on the lips.

"I'm going crazy," she said to herself, as she got out
of bed.
She got ready quickly and went down to breakfast. In the dining room she found
her parents already there, sipping coffee.
" Good morning, my child," said Costantino.
"Good morning, Father." She replied
Viviana cleared her throat.
" Your mother and I have had a talk," continued Costantino, thus
preventing Viviana from intervening. "And I must admit that although I
gave you permission to go to work at the convent’s infirmary, you still have to
abide by the rules. I don’t want a repeat of a day like yesterday. You must
return home for lunch and you must be back in the evening before dark."
" And remember,” interrupted Viviana. "That it’s your duty to
maintain your reputation and thus you must always be accompanied by a nun or a
novice all the way home."
Aurora nodded
"I'm sorry about yesterday ... it was the first day and I lost track of
time." She apologized.

“You’re sure that you’re getting on well with the nuns?"
Said Viviana looking carefully at her. "Yesterday when you came back you
seemed upset."
“Absolutely, mother. The nuns are so good to me and Dr. Peron couldn’t have
treated me better. Last night I was just out of breath because I hadn’t
realized it was so late."
Vivian looked at her suspiciously, but decided not to reply. Aurora noticed
however, that she was not at all convinced by her response.
She was silent for the rest of the meal, after which she got up and hurried out
of the house to go to the convent.
She dismissed the maid when she reached the infirmary, where she found Dr.
Peron who was seeing the first patients. She put on a white apron and began to
work hard, trying not to think about what had happened the night before. Mother
Agostina helped her look after two pregnant women, one whose water had just
broken and the other who was about to give birth.
"I fear that the baby is in the breech position." Mother Agostina
warned her. Aurora checked the woman and confirmed the nun’s diagnosis. She
called Dr. Peron and together they decided that the best way to proceed was to
perform a cesarean delivery.
" It would be better if you did it." Dr. Peron said sadly, looking at
his hands.

Aurora nodded agitated.
I'm
a doctor, aren’t I? What can I be afraid of?
 Mother Agostina prepared the
operating table, while Dr. Peron took care of administering chloroform to the
patient. After having thoroughly washed her hands, Aurora took the scalpel. She
was immediately filled with a coldness that she always felt when she was about
to operate. She operated on the patient with accuracy and confidence. The child
was a beautiful baby boy.

At lunch time she returned home, where she found a guest.
" Your cousin Marisol has come to see us."
Doña
Viviana
announced. "She is going to stay and lunch with us."
Marisol sat politely on the sofa, wearing a beautiful coral-colored dress, her
blonde hair in soft curls and her blue eyes serene and peaceful.
" Good afternoon, Aurora," she said amiably.
"Good afternoon," said Aurora shocked.
How can she be so calm
after what happened last night?
Shortly after Costantino arrived, having just finished his morning visits.
 Viviana gave the order to serve lunch.
" I hope you like chicken," she said to Marisol.
"Certainly aunt, thank you," replied Marisol.
At the table, Marisol spoke casually of fashion and politics. She was a
committed feminist.
"I admire Aurora so much for her decision to become a doctor," she
exclaimed suddenly.
Viviana preferred not to argue and gave her a half-smile. Marisol launched into
a vigorous defense of the European suffragettes, convinced that such a movement
should also take off in Mexico. Aurora listened idly to the chatter between her
parents and Marisol.
She’s so sweet and smart ... like I’ll never be. She’s
not at all shy, doesn’t blush, can talk about everything ... No wonder Federico
prefers her.

"Don’t forget that women also need to get married and have
a family."
Doña
Viviana was saying. "You and Aurora are of
marriageable age."

Aurora decided to interrupt.

"Excuse me," she said, standing up. "I’m rather
tired and would like to withdraw to my room for a while before returning to the
convent. If you’ll excuse me."

“Wait," chirped Marisol. "Let me come with you. Since
you left for Mexico City we haven’t had time to speak alone together."

Here's the real reason for your visit
Aurora
thought, but she could do nothing other than agree.
The two cousins went up the stairs together and entered Aurora’s room.

“Let’s talk about serious things, Aurora." Marisol began
firmly. "Have you revealed to anyone about what happened last night?"
"Of course not. Whom would I tell?"

Marisol sighed with obvious relief.
"Please, I beg you to keep it a secret. Don’t mention it to your
parents," she said in a softer voice. "If my parents ever heard about
what you saw, I would be finished!”

“But how could you do such a thing? To get involved in a torrid
affair with that man!"
Asked Aurora as Marisol sat down on Aurora’s bed.

“I was bored. And Lucas is so fascinating." She explained.

“So he didn’t, force you, seduced you?" Inquired Aurora.

"Of course not! I’m free to make my own choices, my dear
cousin, as you are yours."
“Will you marry him?" Aurora asked her directly.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Lucas may be a Navarra y Reyes, but he’s
been disinherited. He has barely enough to live decently, my father would never
agree to our wedding!"

Aurora sat down on the bed beside Marisol.

"I don’t understand," she said, shaking her head.
"What sense does all this have? Endangering your name, your integrity, the
possibility of marriage."
"You're right, Aurora, I was reckless, I don’t deny it. But I love Lucas
so much! He has a terrible character I admit, but he’s so passionate and sweet
when he wants to be."

"Please, Marisol, spare me the details."

"I know you think me shameless, but I swear that nothing
was premeditated. I met him while I was walking on the beach, and day after
day, the attraction was too strong. He knows as well as I do that our
relationship has no future and it never has had." Marisol sighed loudly.
"And probably now that you have discovered us, the end has come. I'm just
sorry we left each other so brutally."

Aurora did not answer, and was torn whether to ask about
Federico or not. In the end she stopped dithering and asked,
"And Federico Navarra y Reyes?"
"He’s been courting me for some time. My parents think well of our union,
he inherited all the estate. He’s definitely a good match for the Countess
Marisol Vargas de Coronado Rivera." Replied Marisol
Aurora felt faint, but tried not to show her pain.

"I think that he’ll soon ask my parents for my hand in
marriage," continued Marisol. “So my relationship with Lucas was destined
to come to an end very soon."

“Do you think it right to deceive your future husband?"
asked Aurora

"You’re naive! A man of his age will also have had his
moments of amusement. The important thing is that after marriage there is
absolute loyalty."

Marisol got up off the bed,
smoothing her luxurious skirt.
" So we agree cousin," she said. “You’ll keep my secret, and I'll
stop seeing Lucas. So your innocent consciousness won’t have the occasion to be
disturbed again."
"You’ll say good bye to him today?" Asked Aurora.
"No, today Lucas is out of town. He's gone to Zacatecas to visit a
hacienda
that he wants to buy. Anyway, after the way he treated me last night, I prefer
to leave it and never see him again."
Aurora nodded.
"He was quite insolent."
" What happened when I left?" Marisol asked curiously.
" Nothing. I left soon afterwards," said Aurora trying to hide her
embarrassment.
"Good. I’d have been unhappy if he had been rude to you too "
"Don’t  worry."
" Now I have to go. My mother is waiting for me."
Aurora accompanied her cousin to the door. Marisol said goodbye to her uncle
and aunt and left, leaving Aurora thoughtful and confused. She went back up to
her room and opened the book in which she had slipped the letter that Federico
had sent her a few days before.
I won’t be fooled by any man again
!
Never
again
! She tore up the letter violently and threw it into the waste basket.
Then she hurried out to return to the convent, escorted by a maid.
The afternoon passed fairly quietly, with no particularly complex cases.
Aurora threw herself headlong into work to avoid thinking of Federico and the
way he had treated her. And above all the shame she felt for having revealed to
Lucas how she had been fooled with such naivety.
Mother Agostina must have noticed something different in Aurora’s expression,
because she kept asking her if she was all right.
Just before sunset, Aurora returned home, accompanied by a novice. She avoided
going to see the sea so as not to further annoy her parents.
Viviana and Costantino, however, were not at home. Carmen informed her that
they had gone to pay a visit to Don Luis Antonio Braganza.
What a nuisance, if I had known I wouldn’t have been so hasty
. She
decided to go out again, alone. Instead of heading to the beach, she walked to
the town square, with the soaring pink stoned cathedral that dominated the
other buildings. She regretted the decision bitterly when she saw Federico
sitting outside at a cafe intent on drinking some wine.
She tried to change direction, but Federico had seen her and got up to come and
meet her.
"Aurora, my love," he said in a honeyed voice that betrayed his
rather tipsy condition.
Aurora did not answer.
" You’re as beautiful as the first time I saw you in Mexico City," he
said.
" And you’re a liar, just like back then," replied Aurora shaking
with rage.
" But why do you say that?" Federico asked, surprised by Aurora’s
reaction.
" Do me a favor, don’t say anything, I'm tired of your lies! "
"I've never lied to you, I swear Aurora, who told you this? Someone has
poisoned you against me! I don’t know who it was, but ... "
"No one has poisoned me, in fact I'm finally free from the poison that
your lies instilled in me."
Federico, staggering slightly, grabbed her by the shoulders.
" Tell me what you mean!"
" I’m referring to Marisol, my cousin! And let me go! You're hurting
me." Demanded Aurora.
Federico let her go and looked at her dazed.
"Marisol? Why are you talking about her now?" He asked
" You were enjoying yourself, fooling both of us? Courting me, her and who
knows who else at the same time?"
"But, Aurora, I swear to you that it's all a misunderstanding ... "He
ventured to say, but Aurora gave him a withering look.
"At least have the courage to tell the truth now that you have been
exposed."
Federico ran a hand through his hair.
"It's true, I was courting your cousin, but just give me the word and I'll
be completely and devotedly yours! Let's get married! "
Aurora looked at him dumbfounded.
"Stay away from me: I don’t care what you do with my cousin, but I never
want to see you again! Is that clear?"
Federico did not dare argue, while Aurora walked away without saying goodbye.
The meeting with Federico had ruined her walk, so she decided to return quickly
home, followed a few steps behind by the maid that had accompanied her.
Viviana and Costantino returned shortly after. Viviana had a strangely
satisfied look and at the table was more expansive than usual. Aurora chose not
to ask her anything and quickly retired to her room. A doubt was tormenting
her, should she put aside her shame and tell Marisol the truth about Federico?
Aurora then thought that all things considered, her cousin seemed to know
exactly what she was doing and was not as naive as she herself was.
I won’t say anything; I don’t want to be humiliated further! Marisol knows
very well how to take care of herself!

Federico, irritated by the meeting with Aurora, mounted his horse and headed
towards Alma’s house. He definitely needed to let off steam.
That stupid
woman! Who do you think you’re dealing with? Sooner or later you will be mine,
whether I marry Marisol or not.
He dismounted, knocked violently on the door of Alma’s house. A small mixed
race maid, Meche opened the door, scared, she immediately stepped back to let
him in. The poor thing looked at him as if he were the devil himself. Her
attitude did nothing but amuse Federico greatly.
" Where is your mistress?" He asked rudely.
"I’ll go and call her, if you’ll excuse me," said Meche, giving a
hint of a small bow.
Alma arrived shortly after.
" Love, what a surprise, I wasn’t expecting you," she said running up
to him and hugging him.  Federico hastened to kiss her, forcing himself
violently between her parted lips.
" I want you,” he whispered once the kiss had finished. "Here and
now."
" But love, let’s at least go to the bedroom," Alma tried to say. Now
that her elderly aunt spent her days in her room, passing from sleep to an
altered state of wakefulness due to the constant administration of laudanum,
the two lovers no longer needed to see each other out of town in
Doña
Raquel’s old property. In addition, Federico occasionally had the opportunity
to ransack the house to obtain money without his mother’s knowledge. With the
old woman’s jewelry he had scraped together a nice little nest egg.
"I said here and now," ordered Federico vehemently. "Don’t try
to disobey me!”
Seeing that Alma continued to hesitate, Federico grabbed the neckline of her
dress and tore the bodice. Alma gave a slight yelp, but she hastened to take
off her gown to prevent further irreparable damage. Federico forced her towards
a rug and made her lay down. Grunting he mounted her. The sex was quick, but
violent, as he liked it.