Free Golden Roses by Patricia Hagan

side. “We will join the others, little sister,” he murmured. “I wish to be the envy of every man in the valley.”
    “And I wish to retire for the evening,” Amber snapped. “I am quite tired after my…ordeal.”
    Ignoring his pleas, Amber jerked her hand away, lifted her skirts, and, avoiding the terrace and the party, hurried to a side entrance. She made her way quickly upstairs. Entering the privacy of her room, she locked the door and sighed with relief. Oh, how long would it be before she could leave this place? Valdis was insufferable, and Maretta was just as bad. If only she could find her money and be on her way!
    Sudden thoughts of Armand washed over her: memories of his kiss, of the feelings he had evoked. Even in the moonlight, she had known he was handsome, but when they stepped into the glow of torches along the terrace, she had realized he was truly beautiful. Here was a quandary, she told herself. Did he really find her attractive, or was he, a celebrated matador and probably sought after by many women, merely enjoying another flirtation?
    What difference did it make? She shook her head. She was leaving soon. Why worry about it?
    Stepping behind the dressing screen, she removed her gown and put on the satin robe Dolita had laid out for her. She then moved through the balcony doors. The night was still beautiful, with a mellow sheen of moonlight and a soft breeze.
    “My moonstar! You do exist! It was not a dream!”
    The softly laughing voice startled her, but she quickly gripped the wrought iron railing and leaned over to see Armand standing below, arms folded across his chest, smiling up at her.
    “I found the fiesta intolerable without you,” he called softly, “and since I do have to fight in the ring tomorrow, I will slip away now and get my rest. But I wanted to see you once more. I am afraid,” he added mischievously, “that your stepsister will be waiting rather a long time for the sangria she thinks I went to get her.”
    Amber giggled. “You flirt with danger in your public and your private life, too, don’t you?” she teased.
    He nodded happily. “But I much prefer fighting a bull. The odds are much better.”
    They laughed together. Then, suddenly, their eyes met. Gazes riveted on each other, they fell silent. After a moment, Armand called softly, “You will come tomorrow. Please?”
    Amber nodded. “I will, because you asked me to, Armand.”
    “Aha!” His wide grin broke the mood. “If you do everything I ask, then I have no problems, eh?”
    Amber blushed, calling, “Yes! I mean—oh, Armand, you confuse me!”
    With one last grin, he bowed, blew her a kiss, then spun about and disappeared into the shadows.
    Amber stepped inside and closed the doors, feeling warm and happy. Perhaps there was no future in this, but for however long she was in Mexico, was there really any harm in being happy?
     

Chapter Five
    The desert winds blowing lazily from the Sierra de la Madera were hot, giving no respite from the oppressive heat of the crowded arena.
    Amber, in the presidential box high above the other spectators, waved her lace fan limply. Nothing, she thought, would help except for an improbable icy wind from the north.
    Beside Amber, Valdis sat ramrod straight, his head held high, looking out over the multitude below him.
    Amber glanced at Maretta, who sat on the other side of her brother. Maretta’s eyes were shining with the happy anticipation of what was to come, and Amber wondered for the hundredth time how anyone could actually enjoy these spectacles.
    Valdis suddenly leaned over and covered Amber’s hand with his, but she snatched her hand away. He chuckled. “You are like a frightened little bird, lovely one. Do not be. I will explain everything that takes place.”
    “That won’t be necessary,” she said tightly. “I’m not interested, Valdis. I should not have come.”
    “Ah, but you should have,” he said quickly, a note of reproach in his tone. “It is