"It might not be a bad idea to and meet him. Perhaps I could make him change his mind, about working for the Captain, and have him work here."said Fernanda.
"But we already have plenty of men, and I'm sure if he's a no one, he can't compete with them."said Rogue.
"That doesn't mean anything, perhaps, he's much better than the rest of them."
"Saddle my mare."she said to him.
"I don't think anyone's home here."Lance said to her, as he took the reins from her. "That Captain spends most of his days at the quartel."
"I know where the Captain is. I go and see him there sometimes myself."she told him.
Lance almost dropped the reins.
"What!"he thought he misheard.
"I go and see the Captain myself sometimes."she told him.
He couldn't believe his ears. She didn't look like just anybody. She wore expensive clothes, he could tell that much, so she must come from an important family. And she brought her servants and escorts with her.
"I know. It's not…proper that a lady be seen exhibiting herself there, among the men?"she said.
"Um…"he decided not to say anything.
"I know, I know. It's not. But then, let's be honest. I am no lady. I'm Fernanda Esperanza Carlotta Inez Medina y Sandoval. My…brother is the Conde de Aragon, and anyway, one of my cousins is the general, see, so I go and visit him. Every one there knows me. La prima lejana del General Dominguez."
"Su Excellencia."
"Don't call me that. I'm not a countess. I said my brother was, but not me. It's a bit complicated."
"So, if you weren't hoping to find the Captain here, then…"
"Then, I was hoping to find his caballerango."
"Oh. And why would I interest you?"he asked.
"Well, for one, el Capitan Ortiz said you take good care of his horses. You know, I could probably pay you better to take care of mine."
"Oh, well, I don't know. I'd have to think about it."
"Why don't you tell me about yourself."
Lance knew he shouldn't tell her anything. No one. He decided to lie.
"Oh, you can trust me. I wouldn't tell anyone, trust me. As for the servants, well, sure, they talk amongst themselves, but it never gets any further than that, I assure you. Are you married?"
"No."
"I hoped not."she said.
"Why?"
"Well, you certainly don't look like you're married, for one thing."
Lance had no idea what she meant by that he didn't look married.
"Well, you were right in guessing that. I'm not sure what gave me away, though."
"Everything. And, Fernando said you lived with friends, and had no family."
"Who?"
"Fernando. Fernando Ortiz."
"Oh, right."
He hadn't known she was on first name terms with the Captain.
"So, you and the Captain know each other pretty well, I take it."he said.
"We do. He's been in the army since…well, since always. Before my cousin was appointed general."
"Oh, then you do know each other, then."
"I used to think, or rather hope, that Fernando would one day marry me."she said. "But that was only false hope, of course. I always considered him handsome."
"Well, couldn't you?"
"I don't think so."
Why exactly was she telling him all this?
"It would make my aunt very happy, I guess."
"I thought the head of your family was the Conde. Your brother."
"He is. My father's sister, though, still lives with us. She's a widow, and she's and she's pretty much the head of the family. Well, he is, but you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do. And why exactly are you telling me all this, if I may ask."
"I don't know. Perhaps because you…me inspiras confianza."
"Me?"
"Yes. Is it so difficult to believe?"
"Well, you're a…and I'm a…"
"I'm more of a nobody than you are."
"Well, the captain may be home soon, and I don't think it's right that you should be out here, in the sun."
Fernanda nodded.
"Won't you consider, coming to the palace? After all, I can pay you more than the captain if you accept."
"I'll think about it."
Fernanda rode away.
"Negro,"she said, to Roque. "I want you to find out as much as you can about him."
"Yes, Amita."