Reign of Madness Read Online Free PDF

the only one to have survived more than a fortnight. Charmed by his name, Juan had taken him into his service as a page, but having learned of Juanito’s ungovernable fear of horses, had promptly relieved him of his livery and relegated him to the far reaches of his outer circle. It would not do for a representative of his court to cry out in terror when seated upon even the gentlest mare. Not when a man’s prowess was measured by how well he handled a horse.
    “He should not have touched you,” Diego said. “No one should touch a lady, let alone the daughter of the King and Queen.”
    “He did not know better,” I said. “Imagine being among a foreign people, unable to communicate your thoughts and desires.”
    “You assume that I have not been in that situation.”
    I could not think what he meant. Did he mock me?
    “Why was he upset?” I asked. “What was he shouting at me?”
    “Do you think I know his gabble?” When he saw my frown, he added coldly, “He is new to my care this day.”
    Never mind that this Colón was handsome in his narrow-faced way, and slimly muscular, and broad of shoulder for a youth my age; he was as arrogant as his father. I pushed back my headdress, which was slipping onto my brow. “Where is your little brother?”
    He looked away. “Your brother the Prince has made him his mascot. They are out hunting.”
    “Why are you not with them?”
    “The Prince gave me charge of Juanito,” he said.
    I laughed. “And your charge escaped and hid here in the kennels.”
    He stared coolly.
    “Highness,” said Beatriz. “Your mother must wonder where you are.”
    I turned to her. “My mother,” I said, “is closeted with Fray Hernando, figuring out how to save more souls. Do you think that she notices where I am?”
    Juanito, still crouched, held out his hand to Estrella, who had come creeping out from behind the mastiff and her pups. Estrella leaned forward and, gingerly, sniffed his fingertips. She waved her tail when he stroked her head.
    “Dog,” I said loudly.
    Juanito looked up at me.
    “Dog,” I repeated. “She won’t hurt you.”
    He scratched behind Estrella’s ears with both hands. “Dug,” he said woodenly.
    “Good! Dog . Have you been teaching him Castilian?” I asked Diego Colón.
    “That is not one of my duties.”
    “But wouldn’t you want him to learn?”
    He raised his chin.
    It occurred to me then that it might not be an honor to be assigned to care for Juanito—not when it caused the assignee to be away from Juan’s inner circle of attendants. Juan must not think much of Diego’s company. And how much greater Diego must feel the sting of this, having his five-year-old brother preferred over him.
    “I will not tell my brother that you lost your charge,” I said.
    He met my gaze. “And I will not tell your brother that I met you in the kennels.”
    I stared at him. Did he not recognize that I was showing him pity?
    Juanito rose after Estrella, who, distracted by a fly, had leaped away. I was glad to see that he had not been injured on my behalf.
    Diego stepped directly behind him.
    “Must you guard him like you do?” I exclaimed.
    “It’s what your brother told me to do.”
    “If Juan told you to jump from the battlements of the city wall, would you?”
    “I’m not in a position to question my prince.”
    “You should, when he leaves you behind while your little brother goes hunting.”
    He gazed at me long and hard, giving me ample opportunity to know that his eyes were more grayish-green than greenish-gray, should María ask again. “I am grateful for the honors your family has given me. I shall not forget what they did for us, even when I am—” He stopped.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.”
    “No. Please. What?”
    Water gurgled from the stone spout of the fountain behind us. He pursed his lips. “Rich.”
    I raised my brows.
    “Easy for you to laugh,” he said.
    “I did not laugh.”
    “Surely you are not so coddled as to not