Wicked Whispers Read Online Free PDF

slammed the doors and searched five more balconies, each seeming to be a league away from the others. On the last at this level, he leaned against the stone railing, gulping air. The hour was late. He was tired and wanted naught but comfort in her arms.
    Ha. Her loving embrace wasn’t likely to happen this evening.
    He pushed away. A slapping noise sounded below. He scanned the grounds but found nothing amiss in the olive grove. Moonlight had turned the green leaves ashy. Twisted trunks left long shadows across the grass.
    Something moved in the corner of his eye.
    A peasant rode a mule on the grounds, his back to Enrique, hair hidden by an acorn hat. How curious that the guards had allowed the man this close to the castle.
    Enrique leaned over the railing again for a closer look at the next peasant, also on a mule and departing this place. This individual was the size of a boy fourteen years old or so and wearing a sack hat. He carried something in a cloth bag tethered to his mule. From this distance, Enrique couldn’t make out the contours of whatever was inside. Another peasant came into the scene, as large as the first fellow.
    Enrique studied the bag, guessing that Fernando might have given food to those in need. If so, one of the men, not the boy, should have carried the items. Given their superior age, they’d be in charge, distributing any meal to others in the village. If that was their destination.
    The first in line stopped, his hand lifted to signal the others. Their mules also came to a halt. The fellow in front turned to the boy and said something Enrique couldn’t hear. The boy in turn twisted around to speak to the man behind him.
    Enrique blinked then stared. Moonlight touched the boy’s face, which was decidedly female and quite beautiful with dark eyes, delicate features, and a mouth he’d never forget.
    Sancha.
    Despite the odd scene that should have had him questioning his eyes, he recognized the way she gestured when speaking, how she glanced to the side while gathering her thoughts, then met the other person’s gaze once she knew what to say.
    Enrique opened his mouth to call out but didn’t, sensing she and the others would flee. He raced from the balcony and down the great stairs to the castle entrance, intent on following her the moment he gained his horse.
    Upon arriving here, the stable boy had taken the steed, presumably to the stables. Enrique had no idea where they might be. Isabella hadn’t given him a tour of them.
    He rushed to the dining hall and Isabella’s side. At his fast approach, she and Fernando looked up. The others were busy getting happily drunk and fat to pay him any heed. Save for Luscinda and her mother. Both waved.
    Enrique bent down to Isabella, so those surrounding them couldn’t overhear. “Where is she going?”
    Fernando frowned. “Where is who going?”
    “Sancha.” He spoke to Isabella. “Tell me. I saw her outside, dressed as a boy, leaving with two men.”
    She leaned away from him and Fernando, whose frown had deepened. He pressed closer. “What have you helped Sancha to do?”
    “Nothing. If she dressed as a boy, she gained the clothing on her own.”
    “You know her destination and what she intends to do there.” Enrique planted his hands on his hips. “Admit it.”
    “Why?” She lifted her chin. “Do you intend to stop her?”
    “My goal is to protect her.”
    Fernando narrowed his eyes. “From what? Who?”
    Enrique gestured helplessly to Isabella. “Tell me. Please. I promise no harm will come to her from me or anyone else.”
    “Do as he asks.” Fernando rested his hand on Isabella’s arm. “If you refuse and anything untoward happens to Sancha, will you be able to forgive yourself?”
    “Nothing untoward will happen. It never does.”
    “Never?” Enrique’s gut cramped. “How often does she do things like this?”
    Isabella averted her gaze. “How would I know?”
    He growled.
    She sniffed. “Quit hounding me.”
    “Not