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DECEMBER, 1886
Castelldefeis, Spain
Ricardo took in the familiar scenery of his family's home as he stepped down from the seat of the hired hack. He would have preferred to travel the countryside on horseback, as he did in his youth, but traveling with a wife and small child necessitated the use of a vehicle. The Benigno family estate occupied twenty good acres just outside the boundaries of the city of Castelldefeis, situated on the Spanish coast just south of Barcelona. The cool winter air held the familiar, salty scent of the Mediterranean, and he inhaled deep breaths of it to refresh himself from the long passage.
Lilly, cradling young Leo against her, remained atop the seat. First, she handed the sleeping youngster down into his arms. Once he'd cradled his son safely in the crook of one arm, he extended his other hand to help his wife down from the vehicle.
Once her feet were planted on solid ground, she smiled up at him. "I'm so excited. I can't wait to meet your family."
He returned her smile, planted a kiss brief kiss on her full lips. "I'm sure they will love you on sight, dearest."
She took Leo back from him, holding his small, sleeping body close to her. "And what do you think they will make of our son?"
Ricardo felt his emotions rise as he looked at his young sire, who was just shy of six years old. "They will find him more precious than gold. I'm certain of it."
He took a moment to pay the driver of the hack, and assist with the unloading their valises. With that done, he carried their things as they walked up the stone path to his childhood home.
The sprawling, single level house sat nestled among the towering pines and cypress trees. Ricardo felt his heart swell at the sight of the stone and wood structure, built by his great grandfather and occupied by his family for four generations.
Before they could reach the three steps that led up to the wide porch, his mama Anna flung open the door and rushed out to greet them.
"My son! I'm so happy to see you. So very happy." She caught him up in a tight embrace, and he inhaled the familiar scents of saffron and rosemary clinging to her skin and clothing.
"Mama. I've missed you."
She released him, and looked to Lilly. "And you. Welcome to the family, my dear." She kissed Lilly on both cheeks while squeezing her shoulders.
Lilly, apparently overwhelmed by the greeting, had tears standing in her eyes. "I'm so glad to meet you, Mrs. Benigno."
"None of that Mrs. Benigno- call me mama."
Lilly nodded her understanding.
Anna looked to Leo, who was finally coming awake from his long nap. "Is this mi pequito nieto?"
She reached out, and as Leo rubbed his eyes, he smiled at her. "Abuela?"
Tears filled Anna eyes instantly. "Si. Come to me, darling."
Leo moved into his grandmother's open arms, and as Ricardo looked on, he found himself holding back tears. He still regretted that his mother had missed out on Leo's days as an infant, but seeing them together now made the long journey worthwhile.
They'd left Ridgeway just over three weeks ago, during the second week of November. First, they'd journeyed over land, by train to reach New York. There, they'd boarded the steamship RMS Oceanic, bound for Liverpool. It had taken several more days to reach Barcelona from the shores of England. From there, they'd taken the hour-long journey by hired coach to reach home, and now he was reminded why they'd made the tedious passage.
Still carrying Leo, Anna turned and started up the steps. "Come into the house. Your father and brother are anxious to see you."
Following Lilly, he walked up the stairs and followed his mother into the house. Once they were inside he set their bags down near the door, being careful to keep them out of the way of foot traffic.
The interior hadn't changed since he'd left home seven years prior. The family room was still decorated with the bright hues of red and orange his mother favored, and the painting of the family, made when he and Hernando were boys of eight and eleven, hung over the fireplace. The striped, hand woven rug where he'd played with his toys as a boy still covered the floor, though the colors were a bit faded. And the red lace curtains, tatted by his own Abuela Esmeralda, still hung by the windows.
They'd just taken seats on the brown leather settee when his father Diego appeared. The burly old Spaniard, usually serious by nature, broke into a broad grin when he saw them.
Ricardo stood share a hug with his father. “Papa, it’s wonderful to see you."
"Son! Good to have you home." Releasing him from the embrace, he turned to Lilly.
Gracious as ever, she stood and curtsied. "It's lovely to meet you, Mr..."
Diego's thick eyebrow lifted, conveying his distaste for the formality.
Lilly corrected herself accordingly. "I meant, it's lovely to meet you, papa."
"Much better." Diego embraced his daughter in law.
Anna, now seated on the old armchair with Leo in her lap, was still smiling as if she'd been gifted diamonds. "Look at him, Diego. Isn't he the most precious thing you've ever seen?"
"I wouldn't know- you've been hogging him. Now here, my love. Let me meet my grandson." Diego sat on the short-legged ottoman a few feet away and held out his hand.
Anna released her hold on Leo, somewhat reluctantly.
A bit pensive at first, young Leo moved toward his grandfather. When the boy reached him and took his extended hand, he spoke quietly, his eyes directed at the floor. "Hola, Abuelo."
The broad grin widened to fill Diego's face. "You are teaching him Spanish?"
Ricardo nodded. "Of course."
Diego pulled Leo up onto his lap. "Hello, Leo. I'm so glad you could come and see me."
Anna looked to her son. "Ricardo, has word of the building of the Sagrada Familia reached you in America?'
He shook his head. "No, mama. Tell me of it."
Anna began, "The construction of the cathedral began in Barcelona four years ago, in '82. The architect Gaudi is at the head of the project. In that time, they have only laid the foundation and a few bricks, but I'm told it will be a magnificent church when it is completed."
Hearing about the cathedral gave him a sense of connection to his home. It was apparent he'd missed a lot since journeying to the shores of California and meeting the woman who stole his heart. "How long will it be, before it's finished?"
Diego, now bouncing Leo on his knee, answered, "Oh, undertakings like this can go on for many years. I may not live to see it completed- but Leo may."
For a while, everyone chatted amicably, and watching his parents get acquainted with his wife and son filled Ricardo's heart with a special kind of joy. He was so caught up in his happiness that it took some time for him to notice someone was missing.
He cleared his throat. "Where is Hernando? Isn't he here?"
"Has someone said my name?"
Ricardo turned, and saw his brother standing in the doorway between the family room and the kitchen. Leaning on a wooden cane, Hernando slowly made his way into the room. The scars from his fall off the Anna Juanita had long since faded from his burnished face.
Ricardo stood again, this time to embrace Hernando. Part of him wanted to go and assist him, but he knew his elder brother's pride would not abide it, so he waited.
When they stood abreast of each other, Ricardo saw a darkness behind his brother's eyes. They shared an embrace, but Hernando's arms held little warmth.
"Good to see you, brother." Ricardo greeted him.
"And you also, Ricardo." Hernando slapped him across the back.
Hernando then met his sister-in-law and his nephew, exchanging greetings with them both. Turning back to Ricardo, he gave a nod. "You've done well for yourself, little brother. Your wife is a beauty, and my nephew is hale and as handsome as his uncle."
That drew a chuckle from Ricardo. "Your compliments flatter me, Hernando."
Anna stood, gesturing for Lilly. "Come, daughter. I'm eager to teach you the subtle points of fine Spanish cuisine."
With a laugh, Lilly pecked her husband on the cheek, and got up. "Good, because I'm eager to learn them."
After the two women disappeared through the doorway into the kitchen, Diego asked his grandson, "Would you like to help your Abuelo gather some wood for the fire? You look like a strong, strapping son of the house of Benigno."
Young Leo was already on his feet. “Yes, Abuelo, I will help."
"We'll return shortly." Diego donned his overcoat, then took Leo by the hand and led him outside through the front door.
That left the two brothers alone in the room. Hernando eased down into the chair his mother had occupied. "Mother and Father seem very pleased with your family, little brother."
Ricardo had to agree. "They do, and I'm glad. Lilly and Leo are the joy of my life. Seeing them all together is truly wonderful."
Hernando smiled, but his eyes held sadness. "Si. I only wish I could give our mama the gift of nietos."
He took in his brother's sullen countenance; the slump of his shoulders. "What's stopping you, Hernando? I'm sure you have your choice of beautiful women competing to be your wife. “During their youth, Ricardo had always been envious of his older brother's charm with the ladies.
"Alas, things are not as they once were. I'm not a whole man anymore, or hadn't you noticed?" Hernando's eyes were downcast.
Ricardo shook his head. The brother he'd once competed with at every turn now looked utterly defeated, and he didn't know what to make of it. "Don't belittle yourself, Hernando. Any woman would be lucky to have you as a husband."
"It doesn't matter. There's only one woman I want, and she won't be saddled with caring for me."
"How do you know?"
"Because she told me so!" Hernando buried his face in his hands, and Ricardo thought his brother might be weeping.
For a few moments, he remained silent, musing on how to respond to that. How could he comfort his brother after such a harsh rejection? He decided he needed to know who this woman was, who'd treated his brother with such disregard. "What is her name, Hernando?"
"Cecilia Dominguez. Do you remember her?"
"Yes." Ricardo remembered the Dominguez girl all too well. She'd been a classmate of theirs at the private academy they'd attended as boys. The porcelain skinned, dark haired beauty was the niece of a former government official. Her uncle had held a position of high authority in the governing body of Catalonia, the autonomous state of which Barcelona was the seat. Her family was very wealthy, and she seemed to truly enjoy being a member of the local aristocracy.
"I haven't seen or heard from her in weeks. Worst of all, I hear she's been seen around town with another man." Hernando wiped his face, then straightened in his chair, directing his gaze toward the front window.
His brother's heart was broken- Ricardo could clearly see his pain. He thought for a moment, considering how he might help restore his brother's happiness. Once a possible solution occurred to him, he stood. "Excuse me, Hernando. I'll return shortly."
Walking into the kitchen, he saw his mother and Lilly standing at the counter conversing. Next to them, their cook was chopping vegetables. The aroma of onions, olives, and fresh rosemary from his mother's herb garden permeated the air.
Ricardo dressed the young cook. "Maria- send a note around to the Dominguez house, requesting that Cecilia come and meet my family."
The young woman set her knife aside. "Si, senor. I will send one of the hands."
The family employed a staff of a dozen or so, most of whom were young men who served as hands, maintaining the ships in the Benigno Shipping fleet.
Anna, overhearing the exchange, raised an eyebrow. "Ricardo, what are you about?"
He winked at her. "You'll see, mother. Just be prepared for one more at dinner."
He slipped back into the family room, satisfied with himself, and retook his seat on the settee.
Hernando, looking somewhat recovered from his earlier sadness, asked, "What were you doing in the kitchen?"
He lied smoothly. “Just seeing if mother and Lilly were getting along, and they are, quite famously."
Hernando nodded. "So, tell me, how is life as an American farmer treating you?"
Knowing their conversation would be the perfect way to raise his brother's spirits and keep him occupied, he gladly spent the next couple of hours conversing with him about his life in Ridgeway. He spoke of the surprising terms of Leonard Warren's will, of meeting Lilly, and the initial troubles they faced in their relationship. He also told his brother about the malevolent interference of Ezekiel Martindale and his attempts to acquire their land. He told of his daily life on the homestead, the ups and downs of parenting, and the new friends he'd made since his marriage.
Hernando listened well, then told his own story- his recovery from the fall off the ship's deck, and his new position as inventory manager for Benigno Shipping.
They talked so long and became so caught up in conversation they hardly noticed Diego and Leo returning with a box of firewood, or the heavenly aromas wafting from the kitchen. But when one of the hands came in to announce the arrival of Senorita Dominguez, all conversation ceased.
Hernando gripped his cane and got to his feet right away. Gazing out the window in wonderment, he said aloud, "What is she doing here?"
Ricardo said nothing on that, but called for his wife. "Lilly, come here, my love. There is someone I want you to meet."
Lilly appeared, wiping her hands on a towel. Her skirt and blouse were now covered with one of Anna's aprons. She eased near to her husband's side, looking around expectantly. "Who is it, dear?"
"An old classmate." Ricardo hooked an arm around her waist and waited.
The whole family stood around the room, watching the door. No one watched with as much interest as Hernando.
Moment later, Cecilia breezed in. Her dark hair was coiled into a chignon beneath a small, dark blue flowered hat that matched the fancy, long sleeved gown she wore. After offering her regards to the Senor and Senora of the house, she moved further into the room. She smiled at Ricardo, greeted him with a pat on the shoulder. "Ricardo. It's good to see you. And you must be Mrs. Benigno." She shook hands with Lilly.
Leo, hiding behind his grandfather’s leg, said shyly, "You are very pretty, Senorita."
Cecilia blushed, stooping down near the child. "You must be the first Benigno grandson. Thank you very much, sweetheart. And I think you are quite handsome, as well."
"Cecilia." Hernando's voice shook with emotion.
She stood, turned his way. Her eyes widened. "Hernando. I didn't see you there."
A few silent moments ticked by as she meandered across the room to stand in front of him.
All eyes rested on the two of them.
"Would you not have come, if you'd known I was here?" Hernando's words held the edge of bitterness.
Cecelia’s gloved hand reached out, touched Hernando's bearded jaw. "My sweet. Had I known, I would only have arrived faster."
Now Hernando's eyes widened. "Cecilia?"
Gazing up into his eyes, she spoke in a wavering voice. "My love, I have stayed away out of shame. I should not have spoken to you the way I did- I was being incredibly selfish. It would be my honor to be yours, and to care for you as long as I have life."
Hernando's eyes closed, and he placed his hand over her, holding it to his cheek. "Truly?"
She nodded. "Can you forgive me, Hernando?"
A long, silent moment passed between them. Cecelia gazed up at him, waiting, with the tears standing in her eyes and spilling over her porcelain cheeks. The room was so quiet, one could hear the sound of the winter breeze through the still open door. Finally, Hernando spoke.
"I forgive you, my sweet." He leaned down, and as if no one else were present, placed a lingering kiss on her ruby lips.
Looking on, Ricardo held back the urge to applaud. Instead, he held fast to his wife, pulling her closer to his side. Damp eyed, Lilly kissed his cheek.
A smiling Hernando asked Cecilia, "Darling, what made you come here today, after all this time?"
She blushed. "I was too ashamed to return, after we parted on such bad terms. But today I received an invitation to dinner from Ricardo, so that I might meet his wife and son. It was all the excuse I needed."
Hernando squeezed her hand, then left her to stand before Ricardo. "How can I thank you, little brother?"
He smiled. "Marry her. Help fill Mama's house with grandchildren."
The two brothers embraced, and when they parted, Ricardo saw the tears standing in the eyes of his mother and his wife.
Anna brushed the wetness from her cheeks. "Enough of this before we flood the house with happy tears. All of you, come into the dining room for dinner."
Not one to disobey his mama, Ricardo linked arms with his wife, and followed his family out of the room.