It was a restless night for both women.

Fina's bed in the dormitory was definitely too soft, but that wasn't the only thing that kept her from falling asleep, although leaden tiredness enveloped her like a heavy blanket. But underneath this blanket, disappointment was bubbling.

The disappointment of sleeping here alone. The disappointment of being in a similar situation to the one she had been in a week ago. The feeling that Marta was more than just physically far away from her. Fina knew that sometimes she didn't think enough about the fact that she and Marta had lived in two worlds. It was easy to forget when Marta was lying soft and gentle in her arms, when she let herself go and became her Marta and almost no longer seemed to be a de la Reina. No longer a part of the family that everyone had to respect.

Sure, they were both restricted in certain ways, didn't share the same freedoms as male family members. In that they were similar. But in the end, Marta was still part of the upper class and not least her boss. Even here on the Belmontes' estate. Here, where they were supposed to move forward together. With joint decisions and, more importantly, with shared moments. The kind of shared moments that made it possible to communicate in a completely different language than just words. A few kisses, as beautiful and intense as they were, just didn't seem enough to bridge these differences.

Marta also tossed and turned restlessly in her bed. It was neither too hard nor too soft. But the slight pulling sensation between her legs had still not completely subsided. It annoyed Marta. Not that she had felt so much desire, not at all.

But that she had to be the one full of reason and self-discipline over and over again. She was so fed up with it herself. But what could she have changed? If she had given in at that moment, to Fina's lust and her own, it could have ended in disaster.

And Fina had been no help, on the contrary, the reproachful look, the disappointment had landed like an arrow in her heart. It was cruel, unfair. And if Marta was honest, she also felt a little left alone with this responsibility. It was not entirely untypical for Fina, who was less able to exercise caution. It had always gone well with Carmen and Isidro, but Fina couldn't be so naïve as to believe that things always went so smoothly or even well. Perhaps it was because of Fina's age, more than ten years could make a difference. And even though she had always admired Fina's confidence, especially with regard to her attraction to women, sometimes a little more restraint, a little more self-discipline, would be appreciated.

When Fina entered the main building the next morning, most of the residents had already gone to the dining table for breakfast. She was tired, her disappointment was far from over and her eyes had finally closed late that night. How she was supposed to stay here for more than one night with Marta so far away from her was beyond her. But she had remembered what Marta had said when they had met again: there was a place by the river, in the woods, and they would have time for themselves. This prospect had lifted her spirits somewhat.

She was just about to enter the dining room when she felt a hand on her back.

'Good morning, querida,' Marta whispered softly to her, who didn't look particularly well-rested either.

However, there was no time to talk as Doña Maria rushed past them, full of morning energy, and motioned for them to sit down.

'Good morning, Marta! Good morning, Fina! I hope you had a good night's sleep? It looks like it's going to be a splendid day.'

Obviously, the whole family seemed to be morning people. In any case, Don Augusto beamed from the head of the table with fresh eyes. It was almost reassuring to know that Marta didn't seem to share this morning burst of energy.

Fina and Marta sat down at the last two free chairs next to Don Augusto and hoped that the coffee would finally awaken their spirits. At least the aroma was enticing.

'Marta, you're a sight for sore eyes as always. I've thought so ever since you arrived. I don't know how Damian managed to raise such a brilliant daughter.'

'He had help,' Marta said dryly. Augusto laughed.

'Well, and you, Señorita Valero,' Augusto smiled at her. 'How did you sleep here on your first night?'

'I have to admit, the bed in my dorm is a bit soft.'

Augusto frowned. 'But my dear, why are you staying in the dormitory? We have more than enough space in the house. Maria! What were you thinking?'

Maria looked round sheepishly for a moment. 'Well, I thought Señorita Valero wouldn't be used to it any other way as an assistant.'

'That's true,' said Fina reassuringly.

'Oh, that's complete nonsense! Señorita Valero, you will of course sleep here in one of the rooms in the building from now on. Then I can enjoy your company much more often.'

With these words, his hand landed on Fina's knee. He smiled meaningfully at Fina.

Doña Maria either didn't seem to notice or flatly ignored it, Fina didn't know. But what was going on in Marta's mind was not difficult to interpret. The moment Augusto's hand landed on Fina's knee, her gaze had turned to steel, all tiredness gone in one fell swoop.

Fina really couldn't say that the prospect of more nights in the dormitory was very tempting, but the prospect of moving into the main house was even less so now - despite the physical proximity to Marta.

'Don Augusto, please don't bother or worry. It's only a few days, if that. I can get through them very well in the dormitory.'

'No, no, my dear, I insist. Really.'

His slightly wrinkled hand continued to clasp her knee and now seemed almost to caress her a little.

'Don Augusto, I would very much appreciate it if you could spare my employees your advances.'

Marta's voice was icy, her eyes fixed directly on Augusto.

'Marta!' Maria seemed genuinely shocked.

'I'm sorry, Maria, for you too. Your husband shouldn't behave like that in your presence. He shouldn't be behaving like this at all.'

Only now had Augusto lifted his hand from Fina's knee. He didn't seem embarrassed, though.

'Marta, I'm sorry, I think there's been a misunderstanding. What are you implying with your scene?'

'I'm not implying anything. I'm saying it outright. My...' Marta searched for the right word, '...travelling companion... is not fair game.'

'Marta! Pull yourself together! If Augusto says it's a misunderstanding, then it is.'

Maria gave Marta a reproachful look across the table. Otherwise, the room had fallen silent. Only the maid gave Marta an admiring look, which no one noticed.

'Maria, with all due respect, but I have no idea why you're putting up with this. A husband also has to honour his wife, not just the other way round. That's exactly how you should see it, Maria.'

Marta was fuming with anger now. Tactile men were one thing. There were plenty of them, unfortunately. You could hardly walk into a café without bumping into one like them. In a society that was so clearly patriarchal, that was no surprise. But Marta found a wife who tolerated such behaviour insufferable.

Fina would also have liked to say something, but she didn't really know what. If she conceded and told everyone that it was perhaps just a misunderstanding, she would encourage Augusto's behaviour. However, if she supported Marta, the conflict that was brewing would escalate.

But if she looked at Marta's body language from the side, that would probably happen anyway. Marta's sensitive sense of justice, coupled with her great protective instinct, had long since taken over.

'I resent these accusations! After all, you are guests in my house!' Maria was almost shouting now. She seemed almost personally offended.

'And as a guest, I expect to be safe in this house. And I expect the same for my company.'

'That's enough,' Maria lowered her voice significantly. 'I expect an apology from you, Marta, or...'

'Or what, Maria?' Marta looked at her with smoldering eyes.

'You are no longer welcome here.'

Marta stored the last suitcase in the car and slammed the boot shut.

'I still haven't been able to reach Esther,' Fina called to her, who had just come out of the employees building where she had seen a telephone in the hallway.

'It's all right, querida. I've called an old friend. We can come and see her today. It's a three or four hour journey, though.' Marta paused briefly and then added: 'Don't worry, I announced you as my cousin. It actually sounded like we were going to sleep together in the separate guest house.'

Fina realised that Marta was still angry despite everything.

'I'm sorry, Marta.' Fina didn't really know what she was apologising for, but she felt she had to say something to appease her.

A man did something wrong and a woman apologised - it wasn't the first time Marta had experienced this. And it had probably happened to her herself in the past, even if employees like Fina ran an even greater risk.

Marta therefore took a step towards Fina. She hesitated for a moment, then took Fina in her arms.

'No. No, no, no. It's not your fault. If I had realised at any point this week that Augusto... is the way he is... I wouldn't have brought you here. But he didn't dare do that with me.'

'Of course he didn't. You are Marta de la Reina.'

'I'm sorry, querida. I really am. It's not going to happen where we're going now.'

'Really? Isn't your girlfriend married? Are there no men at her place? Or why are you so sure about that?' asked Fina combatively.

Marta did not have an answer to that. She just hoped it would be that way.