Paradise & More (Torres Family Saga) Read Free Page B

family home fondly, looking down on the courtyard from the second-story height of the open gallery. The orange and lemon trees waved softly in the morning breeze and the babbling fountain seemed almost to be singing to him. Yet Aaron Torres was not soothed.
           . “So grim, my son. The war is over and you are returned, God be praised, safe with your family.” Serafina Torres' strong face was smooth and serene, belying her fifty years, even though her dark brown hair was threaded with silver.
           “How long will any of us be safe? That is the question,” he replied softly. “Now that Granada has fallen, those Trastamaras will turn their attention to us—Fernando to bleed us for money, Ysabel to bleed us literally in her religious zeal.”
           Serafina's brow creased. “But surely not, for we have suffered the loss of so much to secure our safety. We converted and accepted Christian baptism—thousands did. Your father has long and faithfully served the royal household as physician.”
           “And intermarried his children with the most powerful Old Christian nobles in Castile and Aragon, yes, I know,” Aaron said curtly.
           “Your bitterness is understandable, but misdirected, my son. Benjamin only acted to save us.”
           “You are a good and loyal wife, Mother. And,” he sighed heavily, “my father has taken what he sees as the only course. But my brother Mateo has become a stranger, concerned only with the interests of his Catalan wife's merchant fleet. And Ana...I cannot forgive what has happened to Ana.”
           “Nor I. But when we betrothed her to Lorenzo, we had no idea how unhappy she would be as his wife.” Her voice broke.
           Aaron swore beneath his breath as he took his mother in his arms. “Forgive me. I know you did not, nor Father.”
           “Ana is beyond his cruelty now,” Serafina said softly. “She is retired to his estates outside Seville to await the birth of the child. Let him cavort with his whores at court. She no longer cares.”
           “But I do. His blatant infidelity crushed her. He will pay for her pain.” Aaron's voice was brittle.
           “Never speak of it! You yourself have just said how precarious the position of New Christians is in Castile. We can ill afford to have a member of our family confront a nephew of the Duke of Medina-Sedonia.” Her small hands were surprisingly strong as she clasped his shoulders and met his fierce blue eyes, so like his father's.
           “I will not challenge him now. I, too, have learned the value of patience. And more than a little cunning from my king. In time, when matters are settled for our family...” He let the half formed plan to deal with Lorenzo fade and asked instead, “Do you receive-regular correspondence from Ana?”
           “Yes. She is glad of the child and eagerly awaits its birth.” Serafina paused and looked up at her young son, only twenty, yet more hardened by life than many a gray-haired man. “Rafaela is also with child.”
           He smiled. “So, Mateo will provide an heir for the family name.”
           “That only leaves the disposition of my younger son, ever the restless malcontent,” Benjamin Torres said, standing in the doorway from the sala.
           “Benjamin! You are home. Have you ridden all night? You must be weary,” Serafina said, giving her husband a warm hug, which he returned lovingly.
           “Yes. While in Malaga I received word that this young rascal's commander released all his men after the victory procession into Granada. Did you see your friend Colon before you rode for home?” Benjamin asked as he embraced Aaron.
           “We rode together into Granada. He saw the Moor's fall as an auspicious omen for his mission.”
           Benjamin turned to Serafina. “Please my dear, I have some matters to discuss with