To Madness
Chapter Ten: Age Nineteen
A little
A lot
(He loves me) Passionately
To madness
Not at all—from a French game
"Diego, I have learned my lesson. I'm gonna wait for someone as handsome, and as nice as you are."
Constancia waited in tense expectation. "Can I open my eyes yet, Jaime?"
"No, you may not. I need to get this line right."
She bounced on her toes, unable to keep still. "Please, Jaime!"
"You can look," he announced and her eyes flew open.
"Jaime, it's wonderful!" She exclaimed, staring in wonder at the painting before her. She reached to touch it, but Jaime swatted her hand away.
"Constancia, the paint is still wet!"
She blushed and pulled her hand away. "I forgot."
"You forget very often," Jaime reminded her, but his scolding was good-natured.
Constancia studied the painting. It was of a bowl of flowers that she had arranged last week, and placed in a spot of sunshine. Jaime had gotten everything right, from the way the sun shone through the petals to how the water sparkled. Constancia sighed.
"Can I keep this?"
"No, it's going to be a present."
She whirled around to face him, skirts fluttering. "A present? For who?"
"My bride."
"You are getting married?" She asked, in disbelief.
Jaime shrugged. "My father wishes me to. All I need to do now is pick a bride."
Constancia's eyes widened, and then she paused, biting her lip. "Do you have anyone specific in mind?" She asked, in a small voice.
"Someone very specific."
"Does she know yet?"
"No, I'm not going to tell her for a while," Jaime explained. Constancia nodded, as Hortensia came running into the room.
"Senorita Constancia," she called, and there were tears on her cheeks. "Carlos is being mean again."
"Did you do what I told you to?" Constancia inquired, crouching down. "Just tell him you aren't afraid, and if he's still mean, punch him in the nose!"
"He laughed!" Hortensia wailed. "And then he was meaner!"
Jaime was frowning, and he suddenly took over. "I'll speak to him," he announced. "Just let me find my sword."
"You will defend my honor?" Hortensia gasped.
"To the death!" Jaime vowed. "Let's go and beat some sense into him."
Constancia watched them leave, not letting herself laugh until they had gone. Jaime was so wonderful! The woman who married him would be...
Cursed, if Constancia had anything to do with it.