The Legend of El Duque Read Online Free PDF

EXICO J UST OUTSIDE Q UERETARO
    Don Pablo Maria Cortero y Sandoval stepped out onto the portico, holding in his hand a glass of sherry. His
segundo,
Carlos Montero, came from the other direction and stopped in front of him.
    â€œWell?” Don Pablo asked.
    â€œThe bull is fine,
jefe
,” Montero said.
    â€œBoth of them?”
    â€œ
Sí
, both are fine.”
    â€œGood,” Don Pablo said, “we want to make sure we sell our American friend a healthy bull.”
    â€œSí, señor.”
    Don Pablo studied the man for several moments, then said, “Well, speak up, man. You have something on your mind.”
    â€œIt is El Duque,” Montero said. “I do not think we should be selling him.”
    â€œWe are not selling him, Montero,” Don Pablo said, “I am.”
    â€œSí, señor,”
Montero said, “I understand, but I do not think—”
    â€œI do not pay you to think, Montero,” Don Pablo said.
    â€œSí, señor.”
    â€œGo, see to the bulls,” Don Pablo said. “Treat them both like royalty.”
    â€œAs you say,
jefe
.”
    Montero, a man in his mid-thirties, turned and left. Behind Don Pablo his wife stepped out onto the portico.
    â€œMy husband,” she said, “do you think you should treat Montero in such a way?”
    â€œI treat my men as I see fit, my dear.”
    â€œYes, of course.”
    Antonia de la Huerta y Sandoval was some thirty years younger than her husband. They had been married two years, and she knew he had married her just to have her on his arm. He loved no one the way he loved his daughter, Katerina, who was only a few years younger than Antonia.
    â€œWould you like another drink, my husband?” she asked, taking his empty glass from him.
    â€œYes, I would,” he said.
“Gracias.”
    As she turned to go back into the hacienda, Don Pablo said, “Where is Katerina?”
    â€œYour beautiful daughter is out riding,” Antonia said.
    â€œBy herself?”
    â€œI believe so.”
    â€œI have told her over and over—”
    â€œ
Sí
, but she is headstrong, is she not?” Antonia asked.
    â€œIndeed,” Don Pablo said. “Indeed, she is.”
    â€œI will get your drink, and then I must go to town. I won’t be long.”
    â€œAs you wish,” Don Pablo said, turning away again.
    Antonia nodded, and entered the house.
    * * *
    Montero went to the barn and saddled his horse. He rode away from the hacienda out into the hills west of the rancho. There he found Katerina Sandoval waiting for him by her horse. He dismounted and ran to her. Taking her into his arm, they kissed.
    â€œHave you talked to my father?” she asked.
    â€œI have.”
    â€œAbout us?”
    â€œNo,” he said, “not yet.”
    â€œAbout what, then?”
    â€œAbout El Duque.”
    She dropped her arms and stepped away from him.
    â€œThat bull!”
    â€œHe is selling your future, Katerina,” he said. “Our future.”
    â€œIt is only a bull.”
    â€œEl Duque is a prized bull,” Montero said.
    â€œThere is the other.”
    â€œUnproven.”
    â€œMy father values him enough to sell El Duque.”
    â€œFor money.”
    â€œIs money so distasteful to you?”
    â€œI want only what you have coming,” Montero said.
    â€œAnd I want to be your wife, Carlos,” she said. “You must speak to my father.”
    â€œI will,” he said, “I promise, but the time must be right.”
    â€œAnd when will that be?” she asked.
    â€œSoon,” he said. “Very soon.”
    That did not make her happy.
    â€œI must get back,” she said.
    He helped her mount her horse.
    â€œMy love,” he said, “I promise—”
    â€œI am beginning to tire of your promises, Carlos,” she said, and rode away.
    * * *
    An hour later, in a deserted shack located farther west,