Title: The Duel for
Consuelo
Author: Claudia H. Long
Series: Tendrils of the Inquisition Book 2
Genre: Historical Fiction/ Historical Romance
Publisher: Five Directions Press
Release Date: Aug 9 2011
Blurb/Synopsis:
A heart-stopping story of love and betrayal in the time of
the Inquisition.
Consuelo, beautiful healer, is trapped by her family's
history of conversion at the point of a sword. Born to a Crypto-Jewish mother,
raised as a Christian, and bound to her family's traditions, Consuelo struggles
with her loyalties and the pull of the Enlightenment. She sees the
possibilities of love and fulfillment, but when her mother's secret is
discovered she is forced to put her love and her very life at risk to save her
mother.
This story brings the struggle to life and showcases the
beauty, terror, courage and sacrifice that honor and family demand in the final
decades of the ruthless scourge of the Inquisition.
She was sure she saw a light flicker before she actually
heard the door open. She lifted her head, for a moment unsure of where she was.
The aroma of the herbs and spices reminded her that she was in the Castillo
pantry, an odd enough location to warrant disorientation, without taking into
account her exhaustion after the stresses of the past two days. She waited
silently, intending to let the approaching figure take whatever it was she was
looking for. She assumed it was Cayetana, or even Doña Josefina, come looking
for some staple from the pantry. Perhaps a green to make a tea from, to soothe
a troubled tummy or a restless sleeper.
The figure turned to the side, going around the couch where
Leila lay in deep, sound slumber, and Consuelo started with surprise. The figure
was a male, and in an instant she had no doubt it was Juan Carlos. "What
are you doing here?" she whispered.
"Shh." He put the candle down on the desk.
Consuelo looked up from the pallet. It was on the floor of the pantry so she
was at Juan Carlos' feet. She moved to sit, pulling the heavy blanket up with
her. She was wearing only her chemise, and her long chestnut hair was braided
loosely down her back. This was no way to receive a visitor.
Juan Carlos knelt on the edge of the pallet.
"Shh," he repeated. "Don't make a sound. You will wake your
mother."
"What do you want?" Consuelo said quietly.
"Consuelo," he said. She waited. "I've been
gone so long. I didn't know what I would find on my return." He put his
hand on her shoulder and she leaned her face into his arm. She felt her pulse
race.
"There is time for this in daylight," she
whispered.
"I leave at dawn." He stroked her hair. "Our
futures. They are forever intertwined."
Consuelo held her breath, waiting for the words that would
justify this visit. No further words came. "Is that what you want?"
she asked.
His hand lingered on her shoulder, then slid down to her
breast. Her breath caught in and her whole body tensed. "I think you
know." He slipped his hand under her chemise.
"Are you out of your mind?" she hissed.
He put his fingers to her lips. "Your mother's hard won
rest should not be disturbed. There are few guests left so she would be the
only one on this side of the house who would hear us. We could go to my room
but I am still sharing it with Leandro and I have no intention of sharing you
as well."
"We are not going anywhere. You must have lost your
mind." And yet she could not pull away from him. She felt her heart in her
ears, her throat close. His hand trailed over her breast and she felt the tip
quiver under his fingers, and the icicle of sensation travel down her body.
"You want me. I want you."
"This is madness. We can't."
"Don't be afraid," he whispered.
How can I not be
afraid? My life, my world hangs in the balance. He bent down and kissed her
on the lips.
Twitter @CLongnovels
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