San Antonio Rose (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Ian was suddenly struck by her soft beauty, and for a moment he could not speak. Pulling his thoughts together, he said, "Senorita, I would advise you to reconsider. There are very few women here, and none as pretty as you. Though I would like to think my men are all gentlemen, I can't ensure your safety."

  She moved to the door and gave him a scornful glance. "I will look after my own safety. You cannot even find your way off of a roof without getting caught. Inform Houston, when he returns, that I want to see him." Without looking in his direction, she left the cabin.

  After she'd gone, Ian stood there staring at the door, stung by her unfavorable opinion of him. Sparks had flown between them since their first meeting. She got under his skin as no other woman ever had. She was shrouded in mystery. One thing he knew: She wasn't a mere dancer, as she would have people believe. He would find out about her, no matter how mysterious she was, or how hard she tried to cover her tracks.

  The room Emerada occupied above the general store was surprisingly comfortable and clean. It consisted of a small bed and two overstuffed chairs. The bed had a soft mattress and a brightly colored patchwork quilt. She couldn't wait to lie down and rest after her grueling journey. She rummaged in her small valise until she found a light cotton gown and quickly changed into it. After a short nap, she went to the window and stared out at the encampment.

  She was glad that a warm breeze had swept across the land, melting the snow and washing the countryside with sunshine. Her view looked out on a parade ground, and she could watch the men training for war. She compared these ragtag men unfavorably with the Mexican soldiers, who were smartly dressed and marched in time-these men marched as if they were wading through a cow lot. Looking for something to admire about them, she admitted that she was impressed by their marksmanship.

  She stood up straight and pulled away from the window when Ian McCain walked across the training ground. Tentatively, she parted the curtains and peered out again. Ian was too far away for her to hear what was being said, but laughter drifted to her-the recruits obviously liked the insufferable man!

  She leaned forward, her gaze settling on Ian. He was all male, tall with a classic profile. She positioned her elbow on the window ledge, resting her chin on her hand, watching only him as he instructed the men on how to load their guns and fire them while running. He was a good shot, hitting the target every time.

  Emerada wondered where he was from and what had brought him to Tejas. She could tell that he was a gentleman, even though he chose to treat her with disrespect. She was not very good at distinguishing the differences between Americans accents, but Ian's speech was similar to Houston's so she assumed that he must also be from the South.

  After a while Ian left, and Emerada lost interest in the soldiers. She hurriedly dressed in her riding skirt, determined to escape the confines of the small room.

  Later she rode along a country lane, taking in the beauty of the land. No matter where she traveled, Tejas would always be the home of her heart, although when this was all over she would leave and never return.

  Sometimes she was so confused. Tejas belonged to Mexico, so that made Mexico her country, and yet she could not condone the governments treatment of its citizens, any more than her father had.

  She sighed and set her mouth in a stubborn line. She knew what she had to do, and she would not stray from her chosen path. She would see her plan through to the end-either hers or Santa Anna's.

  Emerada felt better after her ride. She left her horse with Domingo and went directly up the back stairs to her room.

  It was stifling in the small bedroom. She pulled her blouse away from the waistband of her skirt and removed it. Next she slipped her skirt over her hips so she could wash her body, hoping it would cool her overheated skin.

  She was startled when she heard a male voice coming from the chair in the corner, and she spun around to face the intruder.

  "Honor dictates that I reveal my presence before you reveal too much of your... presence?"

  Emerada grabbed her blouse and held it in front of her. "How dare you come into my room uninvited?"

  Ian suppressed a smile and slowly drawled, "I beg your pardon. I did knock, but when you didn't answer, I tried the door, and it was open. You shouldn't leave your door unlocked, senorita. No telling who might wander in."

  "Like you?" she asked vehemently.

  "It was not my intention to intrude. I merely wanted to tell you that Houston is expected within the hour." Ian knew that he could have sent anyone to deliver the message, but he'd wanted to see her again. He had to admit that he was as infatuated by her charm and beauty as any inexperienced lad would have been. "I knew you wanted to be informed of his arrival."

  Her grip tightened on the blouse. "You have given me the message; now leave!"

  He smiled. "You have nothing to fear from me, little heartbreaker. I just wanted to tell you about Houston."

  He reminded her of a caged animal as he prowled the length of the small room and stopped near her. Emerada drew back until she was pressed against the wall. "Please leave, senor. As you see, I am not dressed to receive a gentleman caller."

  There was something in her gaze that astonished him-fear. Did she really think he would ravish her, or was it an act to show that she was innocent? He decided it was an act.

  His lip curled in scorn. "I suppose a man would have to be a president to claim your affections?"

  "In your case, it would not matter what your rank was," she replied angrily. "I would not have you."

  His mouth twisted briefly, and he shifted his stance. "I believe I have been put in my place." He bowed his head and retreated to the door. "We shall meet again, Emerada-depend on it. And who knows, you may change your mind about me."

  After he'd gone and closed the door behind him, Emerada found that her heart was flut tering like the wings of a trapped bird. She had never had such a strange reaction to any man. For some reason she could not understand, every time she encountered Ian McCain, she either wanted to scratch his eyes out or lay her head on his shoulder and tell him all her troubles.

  What was wrong with her?

  Emerada knew she couldn't trust him. She sensed that behind that polite smile there was something hard and dangerous. She felt a tightening in her chest. He wanted to destroy her-she could feel it. And he might just succeed if she wasn't careful.

  Domingo waited by the horses while Emerada entered Houston's headquarters. She could see the tiredness in his eyes as he offered her a wooden chair.

  "No, I won't be staying that long."

  "I'm sorry I wasn't here to receive you. But urgent business called me elsewhere."

  "I know," she replied, wondering if she should go on trusting him. "You were visiting with the Cherokees to enlist them in your fight."

  He looked at her in astonishment. "How could you know that?"

  "It is nothing so mysterious. My bedroom window overlooked your parade ground and I overheard two men talking. Did you have any luck with the Indians?"

  He raised his hand and shook his head. "You probably already know the outcome of the meeting."

  She shrugged. "I was not spying on your men, if that is what you think." She moved closer to him. "But you have been spying on me. I am not sure I want to help you because you broke trust with me."

  Houston glanced up at her in surprise. "I can assure you I did nothing-"

  Emerada held up her hand to silence him. "Do not try to tell me that your claw, or whatever you call Ian McCain, has not been spying on me. I know he has."

  "Please be seated so I can explain. I didn't break my word to you." He looked sheepishly at her. "Though I did send Ian to find out about you, I did not tell him about the arrangement between us. He knows nothing about that."

  She sat down, wanting to believe him because she needed him as much as he needed her. "Are you being truthful with me?"

  "As God is my witness. You have to admit that you gave me very little reason to trust you. I ha
d to know who you are."

  "And did the Raven's Claw find out my true identity?"

  Houston chuckled. "He said all he could learn about you was that you were the most exciting dancer he'd ever seen and that your name is Emerada."

  Her heart was warmed by the account of Ian's praise, and she lowered her eyes so the all-knowing Houston would not see how pleased she was. "Did he tell you anything else?"

  "He believes you are Santa Anna's mistress, and he confessed that you saved his life. The one seems to contradict the other."

  She stood and moved to the door. "Next time he is caught, I will make certain that Santa Anna shoots him."

  "Will you still help me, senorita?"

  "Will you still send your claw to spy on me?"

  "I can't promise not to."

  She paused as she pondered her words. "Had you promised you would not spy on me, I would not have believed you. Since you have been honest with me, I will help you... for the time being."

  Houston looked weary as he lowered his tall frame into a chair. "Thank you, senorita. I need all the help I can get."

  "Be warned, Senor Houston, Santa Anna will not stop until he sees you dead. He is not a man to give up. He has an ego that must constantly be fed. Your death will be a splendid banquet for him."

  "So you met him for the first time in Presidio del Rio Grande?"

  "Si But I am going to meet with him when I leave here. I will contact you if I find out anything important."

  "Be careful," he warned.

  She worked her fingers into her gloves. "I can take care of myself. By the way, Santa Anna is on his way to San Antonio de Bexar."

  Sam Houston shot up like an arrow from a bow. "Are you sure of that?"

  "I am sure. He not only told me, but I have this." She handed Houston a piece of paper. "Can you read Spanish?"

  "Not so well," he confessed.

  She spread the paper on the table. "I will translate it for you. Although it is not a very detailed account, it contains some disturbing news."

  "Please read it to me."

  "It says that the first column is under the command of General Urrea and will go toward the Gulf Coast with instructions to close all ports. The force under the command of Santa Anna consists of four thousand men, fourteen cannon, nineteen hundred pack mules, fortyfour wagons, and two hundred and thirty carts."

  Houston gasped at the magnitude of the army. "Is this list reliable?"

  "I took it from Santa Anna's pocket. I am sorry to say that I have become a thief."

  "I'm not even going to ask how you got that close. Have a care, senorita. You trifle with a dangerous man. And you are so young for such a mission. There is a part of me that wants to spare you, and another part that knows I need your help."

  She handed him the list and moved to the door. "It is you who should have a care, Houston. As I said, my bedroom looked out on your training ground. I have seen your soldiers, and I have seen Santa Anna's forces-you do not stand much of a chance against him." She opened the door. "Until next time." And she was gone.

  Houston went to the window to watch her mount her horse. His eyes went to the huge man who rode at her side. Although the man had gray hair, his arms were muscled, and he looked as though he could crush a man with his bare hands. He had his claw, and the San Antonio Rose had her watchdog.

  Ian came onto the porch and watched Emerada ride out of the compound. Houston emerged from the cabin to join him.

  "I don't think your little senorita likes me, General."

  "Perhaps not. But I need you to be my claw again. Stay close to her if you can. I have a feeling that she needs friends more than she will admit."

  Ian watched her ride away, feeling somehow empty inside. "Who do you suppose she is?"

  "I don't know. I have a feeling we won't learn about her until she's ready for us to-if we ever do."

  "What do you suppose she's after?"

  Houston shook his head. "I'm damned if I know. You'd better leave now if you want to keep her in sight."

  "She won't be hard to find," Ian said bitingly. "She'll hightail it back to her lover, Santa Anna."

  Houston turned his eyes on his young officer. Ian's father had been one of his closest friends, and he'd promised Ian's mother that he would look after her son. Yeah, he thought, I've taken care of him, all right. I've gotten him involved in a situation that might just cost Ian his life.

  "Don't always believe what your eyes see. If you do, you might miss what common sense tells you." Motioning for Ian to follow him, Houston went back inside the cabin and turned his attention to the map on his desk. "If you find out anything about the woman, send me word. Afterward, go directly to San Antonio and see what's going on. There seems to be some sort of fracas going on between Travis and Bowie. If you think it's necessary, take command yourself. Do what you can to restore order."

  "Bowie and Travis are both good men. They just have different views on how this war should be fought, and therein dwells the conflict. I would not want either of them to think I was trying to take over."

  "Damn it, Travis has locked his men in some broken-down old mission, and they can't move around. I gave him a direct order to blow it up and get the hell out, but apparently he dis obeyed my orders. That place can't be defended, and Santa Anna's on his way there. He's probably already there. Tell them to get the hell out."

  "How do you know about Santa Anna, sir?"

  Houston handed Ian the document that Emerada had given him. "You can read Spanish, can't you?"

  Ian quickly scanned the list. "It looks real."

  "It should be. Your little dancer took it off Santa Anna himself."

  Ian felt the bitter taste of disappointment gutdeep every time he heard about Emerada and the Mexican president. "I'll do what I can, sir."

  "Get going then! And make Bowie and Travis see the futility of fortifying that old mission."

  As Ian stepped off the porch, he gazed up at the gathering clouds. It seemed that Emerada had taken the sunlight with her when she left. The first drops of rain splattered on Ian's face as he went in the direction of his cabin to gather supplies for his journey. It didn't sit well with him that he had to settle matters with Travis and Bowie and tell them to abandon the old mission as Houston had ordered. They were both capable men and didn't need him to remind them of their duty. And he was puzzled by Houston's statement that Emerada was in danger.

  Why was Houston interested in the dancer?

  The dust cloud that rose from hundreds of milling horses made Santa Anna's encampment easy to see from a great distance. Emerada halted her mount beside Domingo and gazed at the scene with great trepidation.

  "Stay beside me. I am afraid, Domingo. If Santa Anna discovers my real intent, he will not hesitate to have me shot."

  Domingo had always been a man of few words, and now was no exception. "You do not have to do this."

  "Si I do. You know I do."

  He merely nodded.

  Emerada gathered her courage, knowing she would be safe with the fearsome but gentle giant beside her. When she had been a child, his presence had always chased away imaginary monsters. Now she needed his strength more than ever because the monster was very real-the monster had a name, and that name was Santa Anna.

  She slapped her reins against the rump of her horse. "Let's go before I change my mind."

  When they reached the encampment, Emerada was recognized and waved through by smiling sentries all along the way. It wasn't difficult to find Santa Anna's personal tent. Who else would dare to occupy a red and white tent made of the purest silk?

  She dismounted and tossed the reins of her horse to Domingo. She was ushered into Santa Anna's tent by the man who stood guard.

  Santa Anna reclined on a bed with silk coverings while a servant set out his meal on a table covered with white linen. The silver utensils and china dishes were monogrammed with gold.

  Santa Anna beamed at her and rose hastily to his feet. "Senorita Emerada, you have
kept your word. You have come back to me!"

  She removed her hat and gripped it in her hand. "When you know me better, you will know that I always keep my word."

  His eyes moved over her, taking in her beauty. "I like that in a woman, among other merits."

  She hoped he could not see how she was shak ing. "With your permission, Senor Presidente, I would like to dance for the soldiers. They must be weary and in need of entertainment."

  He took her hand, raised it to his lips, and said in a deep voice, "And what about your Presidente? Is he not in need of entertainment?"

  She withdrew her hand and moved a few steps from him. "I will dance for you as well."

  "Ali, I see. You are going to be hard to win." He bowed to her. "I like a challenge. A battle too easily won soon loses its thrill." He pulled out a chair for her. "Come and dine with me. You must be famished."

  Emerada sat down, realizing she was hungry. There was a chicken dish, beef, vegetables of every kind, and a bowl of exotic fruit. "Everything looks delicious."

  Santa Anna filled her plate, his eyes on her every moment. "I like looking at you, Emerada. Never have I seen a woman so beautiful and graceful as you."

  "You will make me blush if you continue to flatter me."

  A man entered carrying a dispatch, which he handed to Santa Anna. Santa Anna excused himself while he read it, and then he wadded it in his fist. "We march on San Antonio de Bexar as planned. Those cowards in Mexico City think they can tell me how to fight a war. I am dictator, general, and president-I alone will decide where and when to fight!"

  The messenger cringed visibly and hastily departed when Santa Anna gave him permission. As if nothing unpleasant had happened, Santa Anna turned back to Emerada. "Forgive me if such matters take my attention from you. It will not happen again."

  Ian flattened his body against the cliff, waiting for the sentry to turn his back. He was ready when the man moved away, and sprang forward, grasping the guard in a powerful armlock and covering his mouth. With the right amount of pressure, he snapped the man's neck. Ian felt the guard go limp and let him slide lifelessly to the ground. He hid the body behind a clump of bushes and then quickly dressed in the man's uniform.