Free Wild Bells to the Wild Sky by Laurie McBain Page A

appearance," Sir Basil remarked. "Of course, Her Majesty was complimenting Doña Magdalena on her graciousness of manner, attributing it to her Spanish upbringing. Quite naturally, she assumed that all Spaniards of good birth must be so refined. And, having enjoyed Don Rodrigo's hospitality, I have, until recently, seen no reason to disbelieve that assumption."
    Catalina coughed and dabbed at her lips as she watched her husband's lips tightening ominously. Catching Magdalena's eye, she spoke quickly, "I thought I heard a scream and cries last night. Was it Lily Francisca? I know it was not one of my children, for I was up with Francisco half of the night. He does not like the dark, and he ate too much at dinner," she explained.
    "If you would not baby him so, Catalina, he would act like a man and not a frightened mouse!" Don Pedro told her, despairing of ever weaning his only son from Catalina's excessive mothering. "He will never learn to stand on his own two feet if he is constantly clinging to your skirts, Catalina. I have decided that when I sail, Francisco will accompany me. He will learn - -"
    "It was Lily," Magdalena interrupted Don Pedro's threatened diatribe. "Ever since Madre died, she has been having nightmares about floating bodies and ships set aflame. She has even had the strangest dream about a witch with one blue eye and one brown eye who is - -"
    "¡Madre de Dios!" Don Pedro exclaimed as he choked on the sip of wine he had just swallowed. Coughing, he tried to catch his breath. Glancing around the table, his dark eyes didn't miss Sir Basil's relaxed and politely curious expression.
    "Are you ill, Don Pedro?" he inquired solicitously .
    "It is nothing, nothing. I will be fine," he said, but his complexion was still a pinkish hue.
    "I am sorry to hear that Francisca is suffering so," Don Rodrigo commented. "If you would allow me, Magdalena, I will have a word with her."
    "Please, Padre . I think it would help her. If Geoffrey were here, he would have her laughing at her fears. He always knows what to say. She is so terrified of this witch chasing her that I cannot even bring the subject up without her looking frightened to death. She keeps talking about those strangely colored eyes. How they stare at her with such hatred. She thinks the witch wants to kill her. She even said that this creature threw her into the water, and then stood on the edge of the pond and watched her drown. Which, of course, is nonsense, because Lily can swim. But she does not remember that when she is shaking with fear. I think she even believes that the witch is the cause of her grandmother's death. That is why she is frightened to speak of it. I truly believe she is petrified to mention it, lest the creature harm me, or Geoffrey, or even you, Sir Basil. She seemed concerned for your safety as well."
    "How awful," Catalina murmured, clicking her tongue. "I myself should be scared senseless to be dreaming of such a horrid beast. And especially one with a blue eye and a brown eye," she said, crossing herself as a shiver shook her shoulders. The n her eyes grew round as she suddenly remembered where she herself had seen such a creature. "Why, do you know that sounds like" - -she began to explain, then abruptly took a sip of wine, her eyes pleading with Don Pedro to forgive her for her slip of the tongue - - "like a fable we once heard."
    "I wish that were true, but I am afraid that Lily has actually seen a man with such eyes. He's English and - -"
    Don Pedro turned purple in the face as he choked on his wine again, only this time his eyes bulged and he made strangling sounds as he sucked air into his lungs and sought to halt Magdalena's confidences with an upraised hand.
    Sir Basil left his place and hurried around the side of the table. Several lusty, well-aimed slaps on the back had Don Pedro no longer choking, and soon he was breathing easier. Sir Basil remained behind Don Pedro for a minute longer, giving himself time to think, then he