Author's note: These characters are not mine (save two) and are property of Fireworks Entertainment and ContentFilm. This story is not for profit and is for entertainment only.
Chapter 1 - The Plot
Colonel Luis Montoya gazed across his large, ornate desk at the two richly dressed men glaring angrily at him. As always, Montoya was cool and unruffled-a sharp contrast to the two hotheaded dons across from him.
The first man pounded a fist on the polished wood. "Montoya, it has been almost two years and we still do not have the Alvarado land like you promised," Don Fuentes nearly shouted.
His companion, Don Higuera, agreed. "We paid you too much money to wait this long, Colonel."
The colonel clasped his hands and eyed the men critically. "Don Higuera, it seems to me you have already received what you desired from our arrangement. However, you will get what you paid for, I promise that. It has taken slightly longer than I expected to secure the property, but I advise you to be patient, gentlemen. Now, if you do not mind, I have other matters to attend to."
Don Higuera looked outraged at the dismissal. Fuentes just shoved him ahead and out the office door. Once they were out of sight, Montoya shouted for the corporal outside.
"Sí, colonel?" the young man asked from the doorway.
"Get me Grisham. Now!" Montoya barked.
Ten minutes later, Grisham sauntered in. Either the corporal had failed to convey the urgency of his summons, or the captain simply didn't care. For as long as they had worked together, neither man particularly liked the other, and they certainly did not trust each other. Montoya only trusted he had enough leverage and incentives to continue to keep Grisham in line.
"Oh, good, you look presentable for once." Montoya took small pleasure in the way Grisham bristled at the jab. The American was such a proud peacock. "I have a task which will require you to be at your most charming."
"And what would that be?" Grisham asked, intrigued.
"I need you to wed señorita Alvarado."
Grisham was visibly taken aback, pushing his hand through unruly brown hair as he thought. "Haven't we tried that already? It didn't work out well the first time."
Montoya fixed keen grey eyes on the captain. "Obviously you did not try hard enough. Think about it. The señorita has been in Santa Elena for nearly two years now. She has no marriage prospects, and she is not getting any younger. Most of the dons' sons are too young. That leaves you and our esteemed doctor."
Grisham snorted at the reference to his nemesis. "The doc's no competition. Besides, he's in love with the Queen of Swords."
"Then you should have no trouble wooing señorita Alvarado. I would suggest you begin by escorting her to tomorrow evening's fiesta." Montoya picked up some papers from his desk, signalling the captain was dismissed. "Do not fail me, capitán," he said without looking up. "It is vital that we secure the Alvarado land post-haste."
Marcus Grisham wandered away from the colonel's office deep in thought. How was he going to get Tessa Alvarado to fall for him? More importantly, what was he going to tell Vera? She was going to be furious. Although, he thought with a grin, I kind of like it when she's furious.
Grisham found himself near the town fountain. He hadn't been paying much attention to where he was going. Looking around the square, he saw Tessa seated on the terrace of the cantina with her servant beside her. Taking it as a sign, Grisham straightened his uniform jacket and, assured that he cut an incredibly dashing figure, strode purposefully towards the two women.
"Señoritas," he greeted, removing his hat and bowing.
"Capitán," Tessa smiled politely. She pulled her crocheted wool shawl more tightly around her. It was a mild day but still not quite spring. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
"Might I join you, señorita Alvarado?" Grisham flashed his most brilliant smile and was on his best behavior.
Tessa didn't trust the man as far as she could throw him, but she had to portray the naive and trusting doña in public. "Of course. We would be delighted."
Grisham pulled out a chair and sat, ignoring the suspicious look the servant, Marta, gave him. "It's not often I get to sit with the prettiest lady in Santa Elena," he schmoozed.
Now Tessa was certain he was up to something, but what? She played along, opening her fan and flicking it coquettishly. "How charming you are, capitán," she simpered. "How is it that you have not been snapped up by one of the young women in this town?"
He leaned in closer and Tessa forced herself to keep smiling. "Maybe I just haven't found the right one," he leered, looking her up and down. "Speaking of which, could I persuade you to accompany me to the colonel's fiesta tomorrow night?"
Tessa stared at him dumbfounded until Marta kicked her leg under the table. "I would be honored, capitán," she replied sweetly.
"Then I will see you tomorrow," Grisham grinned as he once again bowed and leapt down the steps to the dusty square.
When he was out of sight, Marta turned to Tessa in a hushed tone. "What was that about?"
"I don't know, but you can bet I'm going to find out."
Figuring two could play the captain's game, Tessa dressed in a sapphire-blue satin gown with the lowest-cut bodice she owned. She had successfully seduced information out of the captain before, so she was convinced she could do it again. The man really did have a one-track mind.
With the last chill of winter still in the air, a black silk shawl and elbow-length gloves were needed to keep warm. Marta fastened a sapphire pendant around Tessa's neck, which only drew more attention to her décolletage. Her long dark hair was artfully arranged in ringlets, and looking in the mirror, Tessa felt confident that she looked irresistible this evening.
Grisham, in his full dress uniform, found her as she alighted from her carriage. He offered her a hand as she stepped down, and she noticed his appreciative glance at her bodice. Threading her arm through his, they walked into the courtyard together.
Montoya's fiestas were predictable, but there were so few social events in Santa Elena that the town's entire upper echelon always attended. Tessa looked around to see the usual crowd of dons and their wives, musicians and flamenco dancers. Montoya himself made the rounds like a good host, working hard to keep up appearances with the nobility.
Montoya spotted them from across the courtyard and nodded approvingly. Tessa noticed a few of the don's wives watching her with narrowed eyes. As the only single doña, Tessa wasn't part of the married women's circle. However, the one woman giving her the most evil look was the one she did consider a friend-Vera Hidalgo. Tessa wasn't supposed to know about Vera and Grisham's relationship, so she reminded herself to play dumb as she dragged Grisham over to the Hidalgos.
Don Gaspar greeted them warmly while his petite blonde wife tried to force something resembling her usually cheery demeanor. From the corner of her eye, Tessa could tell that Grisham looked equally uncomfortable. Obviously, he hadn't yet told Vera whatever his plan was.
"Vera, you look lovely this evening," Tessa said, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. The peach silk gown Vera wore was indeed very flattering.
"As do you, Tessa," Vera replied without conviction. "How...unusual to see you here with Mar...Capitán Grisham."
"I know," Tessa laughed, sidling closer to the tall captain. "I couldn't believe my good fortune when he asked to escort me yesterday."
Vera gave an unladylike huff and turned to her husband. "Let us find some wine, Gaspar," she ordered, dragging him off. Grisham watched them leave with the sinking feeling he was in big trouble later. Tessa bit her lips, trying not to smile at his obvious discomfort. Then she saw something that wiped the smile right off her face.
Over Grisham's shoulder, she saw Doctor Helm in his best gray suit. Her first instinct was to duck so he wouldn't see her with Grisham, but she reminded herself for the third time that day that he cared for the Queen of Swords, not Maria Teresa Alvarado. Seeing her with Grisham would hardly change his already low opinion of her.
The doctor noticed her watching him and gave a curt nod before making a beeline for Montoya. Tessa knew he only attended these affairs when he had to. She turned back to Grisham and realized she had been distracted by the doctor for too long. Grisham turned to look behind him, saw Helm, and gave a nearly inaudible growl before turning back to Tessa.
Tessa smiled and batted her eyelashes while internally cursing herself for her stupidity. "Marcus," she started, placing her hands on his arms. "Would you be so kind as to get me a beverage? I'm parched." She stood out of the way near the courtyard wall to steel herself while Grisham went off in search of a drink.
"I would strongly advise against any involvement with Captain Grisham." The voice beside her startled Tessa as she turned to see the doctor next to her.
"I appreciate your concern, doctor, but I am capable of making my own decisions," Tessa snapped more harshly than she meant to. How was it the man got to her so easily? "My apologies, Doctor Helm. That was rude of me."
Helm only smiled at the rare display of fire from the señorita. "And sorely out of place for me," he conceded. "But nonetheless, please be cautious. That man cannot be trusted."
If he only knew how much she agreed with that statement. Helm thankfully left before Grisham's return. A brawl between the two was not part of her plan, and the hatred between the two men always simmered just below the surface.
Tessa gratefully accepted the glass of wine from Grisham and took a sip. Grisham eyed her suspiciously. "What did the doc want?"
Tessa smiled coyly. "He was trying to warn me about you."
Grisham froze for a second. "Warn? About what?" His mind was reeling. Did the doctor know? The last thing he wanted was for that bastard to have leverage over him.
"I don't know. I told him I could make my own choices." She looked up at him and placed a hand on his chest and gave him a slight push towards the shadowy alcove behind him. Grisham saw the look in her eyes and didn't need to be told twice. He took the wine glass from her and set it on a bench before guiding her to the darkened alcove.
Once they were out of view of the other partygoers, Grisham wrapped his arms around her waist, crushing her against him. He leaned his head down to kiss her, and Tessa stood on her toes to meet him, sliding her hands behind his neck.
While she'd done this before to get information out of Grisham, it just felt so wrong this time. After she felt enough time had passed, she pushed him away. Grisham made a disappointed sound and tried to reach for her again, but she deftly sidestepped him.
"I have a reputation to protect," she informed him, patting her hair to make sure everything was still in place. She straightened her shawl and gave him a come hither look over her shoulder. "There's always next time."
Grisham perked up at that and followed her back out into the courtyard. He stopped in horror as he saw Vera watching them with a stricken look on her face. Vera whirled and hurried off as quickly as she could without running.
"Vera, please, let me explain," Grisham hissed after he'd been able to get away from Tessa. Vera pretended to ignore him, but he knew she heard him. "Montoya ordered me."
"Tessa is my friend," Vera whispered fiercely. Tears of anger glimmered in her eyes. "You would hurt us both?"
"Of course I don't want to hurt you." At Vera's glare he continued, "Or your friend. Montoya wants me to marry her so he can get her land. Nothing has to change between us." He tried to place a comforting hand on her shoulder but she shook him off.
"No! I am still angry with you." She flounced off to find her husband.
"Women troubles, capitán?" Montoya was cool and collected as always. Grisham hadn't even heard the sneaky bastard approach.
Grisham wiped a hand across his brow. "I have everything under control."
"Be sure that you do."
