Part 133 (1/2)

”It'll fool no one.”

”Cri-uh, Luis, think about this. He had no close friends except Ramon, and that mal hombre is in h.e.l.l. He has no more family except relatives in Spain, none of whom have seen him for years. My uncle was the only one who even knew him reasonably well. Luis was a man who did not seek the company of others, not even women. His grandmother, and myself to a lesser extent, were the only ones with whom he was close.”

”You said it yourself, your uncle would recognize him. He's seen both of us together.”

”And what is my uncle to report to the king? That he mistook a marques for a beggar-bandit and imprudently hanged him? My uncle will not blink an eye when my husband, Luis, returns to the city after his wounds heal. I will let him know subtly before you walk into his presence, so he will not faint dead when he sees you.”

I shook my head. ”This is insanity. I cannot just take the place of another man. The last time I tried this it got me into more trouble than it was worth.”

”That is what is wonderful about this plan of Mateo's. Who is the Marques de la Cerda?”

”The marques? Why I... I...”

”Say it.”

”I am the rightful Marques de la Cerda-by birth.”

”Can't you see? My love, you will be impersonating yourself! ”

I thought for a moment.

”I am also your lawful wedded husband. It is time I claimed my conjugal rights.” I pulled her to me and began removing her clothes.

”Wait,” she said. She pushed me away. ”As your wife, will I be allowed to read what I like and write what I wish?”

”As long as I get what I want, you may read and write.”

”To make sure I get what I want,” she said, ”I shall keep a dagger hidden in my petticoats.”

Ay de mi! I had married a jungle cat.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-TWO.

Five months later, recovered from my wounds-and the hot oil to my face-we left the City of Mexico to board the treasure fleet at Veracruz.

Don Diego had welcomed me into the family without meeting my eye. Mateo had contrived a heroic feat for me in the riots, one only slightly less awesome than his own singlehanded defense of the palace. With my ancient bloodline, which was in a small way tied to the throne of Spain, and my recent act of heroism-along with a substantial contribution to the king's war purse-I was ordered to the Royal Court in Madrid to a.s.sume a position on the Council of the Indies for three years. With the travel time between Europe and the colony, and visits to my peninsular relatives, it would be a good five years before we returned. By that time, all but the legend of Cristo the b.a.s.t.a.r.do will have faded.