Conquistadora - Esmeralda Santiago [27]
“I promised to follow my husband wherever our lives led, doña Leonor, just as you did when you married don Eugenio.”
“I was a soldier’s daughter and knew what it was to move from place to place, following my father’s fortunes. You’ve known nothing but luxury your whole life.”
“I’m aware of the hardships waiting for us,” Ana said. Leonor heard her unsuccessful struggle not to sound condescending. “I’ve read much about the settling of the New World.”
“Your illustrious ancestor was a man, and he, too, was a soldier accustomed to adversity. You’re still a girl.”
“I may be only eighteen, doña Leonor, but I’m stronger than I look.” Ana stood to her full height. “And I’m determined to make a success of the hacienda.” She knelt at Leonor’s feet, covered her hands with hers. “I know you’re worried that I’ll be a burden.…” Leonor tried to pull her hands back, but Ana squeezed them and kissed her fingers. “I promise that I won’t be, that I’ll support them in every way. It’s not mere chance that Ramón and I met, you see.” Ana exchanged a look with Elena, who still stood by the mirror, bedecked in Ana’s jewels. “My destiny was to come to this island, to finish the work my ancestor, don Hernán Cubillas Cienfuegos, started.”
“Ana, that man lived over three hundred years ago!”
“But when I read his letters and journals, it was as if he were speaking to me.”
“It’s madness.” Leonor stood abruptly, leaving Ana kneeling at her feet. “It may be your destiny, but it is not my sons’. They were raised for a different life.” She stood over Ana, looking down at her with such loathing that Ana lowered her gaze. “I’m not afraid to tell you, just as I’ve told my husband and my sons.” Leonor paced, twisting her wedding ring around her finger in quick, nervous movements. “I don’t want you, Ramón, and Inocente to go to the plantation. Everyone tells us that area is dangerous, that pirates still come ashore, that runaway slaves come from their hideouts in the mountains to plunder. And to kill whites.”
She covered her eyes and seemed to collapse. Elena jumped to her side and helped her to the sofa. She looked at Ana, who shrugged in a “what am I supposed to do?” gesture. Elena nodded toward Leonor, and Ana sat at her other side, waving her hands before her and rubbing her shoulders, as Elena was doing.
“Tía Leonor, I’m sure don Eugenio wouldn’t let Ramón and Inocente go if he thought it was dangerous,” Elena said. “Don’t you agree?”
Leonor’s breath came in short, forced gasps, and she pressed one hand to her heart while, with the other, she fluttered her handkerchief before her face.
“Shall I loosen your stays?” Ana asked calmly.
Leonor turned to Ana as if she’d asked her to get naked in the Plaza de Armas.
“Some water, from the pitcher over there.” Elena motioned with her eyes toward the small, lace-covered table by the door.
Ana poured a glassful and Leonor gulped it down. She grabbed Ana’s hand. “What will you do if one of you is sick or injured? There are no doctors for miles.”
“Inocente has already talked to your doctor, and he’s given us some unguents and taught us how to dress wounds, and I brought a book of home remedies. I’m confident—”
“¡Egoísta!” Leonor exploded. She stood again and leaned over Ana, who still sat on the sofa. “You only think of yourself. My sons were going to be businessmen until you came along. They were going to an office almost every day. But you’d have them be peons—in a place they’ve never seen. A wild place. You’d have them abandon their family, their future, their country even, all for a fantasy of yours. A fantasy fed by that maldito ancestor.”
“Ramón and Inocente want to do this, doña Leonor. It’s not just my idea.” Ana didn’t shrink into the sofa, as Leonor expected. She didn’t bend or give or avoid looking into her eyes. She sat stiffly, challenging Leonor with her posture, but on her face was a bland expression