Free Golden Paradise (Vincente 1) by Constance O'Banyon Page B

compassionate dark eyes. Orders were given in Spanish, which she understood because she spoke it fluently. Ropes were tied onto the buggy, and it was soon dragged away, freeing her from her prison.
    Valentina would have fallen forward but for the strong hands that held her. Those same hands were gentle as they ran the length of her body, feeling for broken bones. Valentina was in too much pain to feel embarrassed by the man's exploring fingers.
    "She is a gringa ," Marquis observed in a flat voice. His dark eyes roamed at will over the soft curves. It was hard to tell much about her features, but he was amazed at the silver-blue eyes and the golden curls that were plastered to her cheeks with perspiration. Her face was blistered from the sun, and her mouth was cracked and bleeding. Pouring water onto his snowy white handkerchief, he dabbed at her swollen lips.
    "I have never seen a young gringa before," one of the vaqueros stated, looking Valentina over carefully. "She is not very beautiful. Her skin is very red, and her eyes are a funny color."
    Marquis twisted his head, giving the man an irritated glance that immediately silenced him. He scooped Valentina tenderly in his arms. "Be silent, fool; she may understand you. Find anything that belongs to her and bring it along," he ordered in a clipped tone. "I will take her to Paraiso del Norte where my mother and sister can look after her."
    Valentina found herself on horseback, held in the arms of the man who seemed to be the leader. As her head fell back against his chest, she could hear the comforting sound of his heartbeat. A feeling of well being washed over her, and her eyes shut as she drifted off to sleep.
    As if from a great distance, she heard his deep voice as he spoke in halting English. "You are safe, Silver Eyes," he whispered against her ear. "You no longer have anything to fear."
     
    Valentina stirred and her eyes fluttered open. For a moment she was dazed, wondering where she was. As her eyes moved across the sun-drenched room, she blinked in astonishment. The walls were white and the floor was dark, shiny wood covered with a mint green rug. She lay in a huge bed amid soft pillows. The covers were snow white and a lace canopy hung overhead. The room was large and airy with high, beamed ceilings.
    Slowly Valentina began to remember the accident. She sat up slowly, experiencing vague memories of a man cleaning and dressing her leg wounds and applying ointment to her sunburned face. She had tried to protest when the man had given her bitter-tasting medicine, which she now assumed had made her sleep. She must have slept the night through because the bright sunlight pouring into the room proclaimed it to be early morning.
    Valentina threw the covers aside and gingerly placed her feet on the floor. She was surprised to find someone had dressed her in a soft cotton nightgown. Her clothes were nowhere to be seen. When she tried to put her weight on her leg, pain shot through her foot and she gasped.
    There was a soft tap at the door, and Valentina swung her feet back onto the bed and pulled the covers up to her neck. The door was opened by a smiling, dark-skinned woman carrying a breakfast tray. Even though Valentina had never seen one, she assumed this woman was an Indian. She had high cheekbones with eyes and hair as black as a midnight sky.
    "Where are my clothes?" Valentina asked as the woman placed the tray on her lap. "I want to get dressed."
    "Perdone, senorita, no hablo ingles."
    Valentina knew she must switch to Spanish. She was silently thanking her father, who had insisted she learn other languages. "I would like to have my clothing please," she explained, the Spanish flowing easily from her tongue.
    The woman beamed happily at Valentina. "Your gown was badly torn and is being mended. I have been instructed to say the doctor wants you to stay in bed, off your foot, for a few days."
    Valentina shook her head. "I thank you for your
    hospitality, but I cannot