Chapter 3

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Tessa Alvarado and Dr Robert Helm were married shortly after her "proposal." Noone seemed to question how the marriage happened so quickly, perhaps he was attracted to her wealth, perhaps she was attracted to his status symbol as a doctor. Some speculated that Tessa was already with child, but those rumors would soon prove to be false. In any event, all of those possibilities seemed better than if people knew the truth about Tessa. But Tessa knew who her heart truly belonged to, but she feared that would never happen. But then, one night, there was a terrible thunderstorm. Robert was in the village treating a patient, Tessa knew he wouldn't risk coming home in this storm. Tessa had made plans to steal some of Montoya's taxes and redistribute them to the people, but the tax collectors were as stuck by the storm as anyone else. Tessa would just have to wait out the storm here with Marta. But this night, they saw a figure in the storm, whoever it was they seemed trapped. Tessa rode out to get them, and offer them sanctuary in her home. To Tessa's surprise, it was Vera. Vera got on Tessa's horse and they quickly rode back to her house. Tessa offered her friend food and dry clothing.

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Vera: Thank you for your hospitality.

Tessa: Think nothing of it. Why were you even outside during this terrible storm?

Vera: I went out for a ride. I saw the dark clouds, but I didn't think the rain would be this bad. I just needed to get away from my husband for a little while.

Tessa: Did he hit you?

Vera: No, he just got angry. I shouldn't have provoked him.

Tessa: Has he ever hit you before?

Vera: Not for awhile. He promised never to do it again.

Tessa: But you were afraid today. You should leave him.

Vera: And go where? You are lucky that your husband is a good man. But if I were to leave my husband, I would have nowhere to go.

Tessa: You could stay with me.

Vera: No, my husband would force me to come back, or he would reveal my secrets.

Tessa: Whatever your secrets, I could protect you.

Vera: Not this. Can I trust you not to repeat what I am about to tell you?

Tessa: Yes.

Vera: Do you know what a homosexual is?

Tessa: Yes, I am familiar with the concept.

Vera: I am one. I married Don Hidalgo for the sake of appearances, but I have only ever been attracted to women. He found out about an "incident" somehow, and he threatened to kill me if I ever did that again. He also threatened to expose me if I ever left him. He had trouble believing there even was such a thing as a female homosexual, apparently men can gain pleasure from other men, but it's rare for a woman to gain pleasure from another woman.

Tessa: Not as rare as you might think. I took am a homosexual.

Vera: Really, but Dr Helm?

Tessa: He knows the truth, as does Marta, and now you. And I love you. I tried to deny it, but I thought you should know.

Vera: I love you too.

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With that Vera and Tessa shared their first kiss. They didn't know how it would end, perhaps not well for either of them. But neither woman wanted to deny their love anymore.