Captive Secrets Read Online Free PDF Page B

breath of air if you wouldn’t mind.” Cheeks burning, she almost ran from the ballroom to the coolness of the veranda.
    â€œIt’s such a beautiful evening, isn’t it? I love the darkness with the stars and moon for light. Look how silvery everything looks. It’s so . . . so romantic, don’t you think?” She didn’t wait for Ruiz’s reply but rushed on. “I wonder how many lovers have kissed and embraced under the stars. Thousands, probably. Even the animals like darkness, it protects them, but there’s no one to protect lovers except . . . Why aren’t you saying anything, Ruiz?”
    Ruiz smiled wryly. “Because you haven’t given me a chance. Fury, we’ve known each other since you came to Spain at the age of eight. In all those years I’ve never seen you act this way. Is it because you’re leaving tomorrow for . . . your holy life, or is it that you’re beginning to realize you’re making a mistake? I—I couldn’t help but notice the way you looked at Don Parish’s guest. We’ve been friends a long time, Fury, and if you want to talk about this, I’m willing to listen. You have my word that it will go no further.”
    â€œEven to Daniella’s ears?” Fury teased. “Were you jealous when she danced with . . . him?”
    â€œYes, very. Daniella told me she wants a man who makes her blood sing. I don’t think I’m that man,” Ruiz said ruefully.
    â€œHow is that possible, to make your blood sing?”
    Ruiz shrugged. “I have no idea, but Daniella said that’s what every woman wants from a man. If I knew how to accomplish that, I’d probably be the most sought-after man in all of Spain.”
    Fury contemplated him with thoughtful eyes. “I think Daniella was teasing you, Ruiz.”
    â€œNo, she means it. I would marry her in a minute, but she won’t have me.”
    â€œBecause . . .”
    â€œI don’t make her blood sing.” Ruiz threw up his hands in disgust.
    They stood together for several moments in silence, staring out across the manicured gardens. At last Fury turned to Ruiz and placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Come, let’s go in, Ruiz. I have to speak to my mother, and it’s almost time for the food to be served. Father plans on making a toast or two. . . . And I wouldn’t worry about Daniella. She’ll soon see what a wonderful person you are. I believe that, I truly do.”
    He drew her arm through his and began to escort her back inside the ballroom. “You’ll never know, will you? You’ll be off praying for all of us, and we’ll never see you again. You’ll never know who will marry whom and who will have children.” He stared down at her with wide, troubled eyes. “Oh, damn you, Fury, why are you going off to some damn-fool convent never to be seen again? It’s not natural!”
    Fury stopped in her tracks. It was true, everything Ruiz said. Soon all her friends would be just a memory.
    â€œAnd another thing,” he continued bitterly, “don’t go praying for me. Pray for yourself. . . . Oh, never mind,” he muttered. “Happy birthday!” And with that, he stomped off in Daniella’s direction, leaving an astonished Fury to return unescorted to her parents.
    â€œMother, can I ask you something?” she said as Sirena took her arm and drew her in beside her. “It’s . . . what I mean is . . . Ruiz said something to me out on the veranda just now that . . . Well, it seems impossible, but he did say it, and I was wondering . . . Does Father . . . does he make your blood sing?”
    Sirena laughed. “Twenty-four hours a day, my sweet. From the first moment I saw him. Come, let’s ask your father the same question.” She turned to her husband, who was several feet away chatting with an elderly gentleman. Catching his eye, she beckoned