pouted, then shrugged. “I’m a fallen woman about to trick my father, who is on his deathbed. I’ve been used and tossed away by one man, which makes me worthless, and I never plan to have another. If all you want to do is hold my hand or brush my cheek, I’d say that’s a fair enough price for risking your life.”
To his surprise, she frowned. “I must tell you, though, I don’t like to be touched. It’s not something I’m used to. My father never touched me. The nuns never touched me, and the one man who did touch me hurt me. You’d probably be doing me a favor, making me a little less jumpy around men. So touch all you like.”
“I’ll not hurt you,” he added, trying to figure out if she truly meant what she said. “And I’ve already touched you, when I started to remove your necklace and again when I put my hand around your neck.”
She smiled. “For a murder attempt, it was rather gentle.”
They both laughed and for the first time he thought this scheme of hers might work. She’d have her land, his uncles would have their loot without fear of jail, and he’d have a memory of a time when he’d been allowed close to perfection.
A few minutes passed before the huge wooden door opened and an old doctor limped out. “You can see him.” He shook his head. “I had to ask twice before he’d agree to see you. He doesn’t seem to want to use up what little energy he has left.”
She stepped past the doctor. Michael followed.
The room was huge and built to impress. Against long windows, a massive desk stood on a platform one step up so that whoever sat behind would be eye level with anyone standing. Books lined the walls into a seating area big enough to hold a full-sized bed. There, a man rested, his dark weathered skin contrasting against the white sheets.
Michael stared at Duke Camanez. Somehow, Michael thought he would have been bigger, but he looked small beneath the covers.
“Father,” Cozette whispered as she stepped closer. “Father. I’ve brought my husband to meet you.”
The dying man’s eyes opened slowly. He looked at his only child with a cold, uncaring gaze. “You look more like your mother every day, child, and are just as worthless, I’m sure.”
Then, without expecting her to respond, he looked at Michael. “So, you married her. She’s no more than a bit of a girl, not strong enough to bear many children, I fear.” Camanez coughed and blood trailed out of the corner of his mouth. “My condolences. She’s made of lies and lace, you know.”
“I know.” Michael smiled as if he thought Duke Camanez was telling a joke. He’d heard of the rancher—everyone within five hundred miles had heard of the man who ruled his ranch like his own private kingdom.
Michael offered his hand and was surprised when the frail man took it.
“You’re a fool who fell for her beauty,” Camanez said in a whisper. “I can’t blame you, son, I once fell myself.” He took time to breathe, then continued, “Keep her pregnant if you can and don’t give in to her tricks. Maybe she’ll give birth to sons who will run this ranch one day. I pray they get your build and not hers.” He coughed, then added as he fought to breathe, “Try not to run the place into the ground before you pass it on to my grandsons.”
Michael had no idea what to say. Camanez’s hand slipped from his as the old man’s body shook from a round of coughing.
A nurse moved from the shadows and put her arm around him as she wiped away blood dripping from his chin.
The doctor mumbled as he pushed them toward the door. “Don’t come back until tonight. I’m giving him enough laudanum to let him rest the day away. I fear you’ve excited him, doing him more harm than good.”
As soon as they were outside the door, Cozette straightened as if she’d been slapped hard and was refusing to cower. “I’ll be right back,” she said and disappeared down a hallway. A moment later he heard her feet tapping up a wooden staircase just out of sight.
He didn’t know if he should follow. Was she upset, hurt, or embarrassed at what her father had said? Or, he reasoned, could it be morning sickness?
Michael returned to the entrance hall, noticing the sunrise shining bright across twenty-foot windows. It crossed