The Last Song

himself to the pork.
    My father ate calmly, his face determined. Mama cut her meat into small pieces. I noticed that she ate only the cabbage, that not a single mouthful of the pork touched her lips. She toyed with her food, covering the meat with the rest of her cabbage. I chewed and chewed, but the unfamiliar taste made me nauseous. I shot a quick glance at Luis. He was intent on tearing away at his meat greedily with his hands, grease shining on his chin.
    Suddenly, he looked up. My expression must have revealed my disgust.
    “You don’t approve of my appetite, my lady? Orperhaps you don’t like pork?” His voice was harsh.
    I realized that it would be foolish and dangerous to antagonize him. I smiled flirtatiously. “Pork is my favorite dish. I am glad that you are enjoying your food. A man must eat to remain strong!”
    He laughed. I balled my fists to prevent myself from hitting him.
    “Tell me, Isabel, how was your day? What did you do today?” Luis’s eyes burrowed into my face.
    I forced myself to speak in a languid tone. “I must confess that I was lazy today. I walked in the rose garden. You should come with me sometimes, Luis,” I forced myself to say.
    He grunted in reply.
    “After my walk, I worked at my loom. I saw Father Juan for my weekly catechism lessons. Then I rested in my room for a while.” I leaned toward him. “What about you, my lord? How did you spend your day?”
    Mama was staring at me in surprise. She was used to curt replies whenever Luis addressed me.
    “I went with friends to the bullfight.”
    I picked up my fan and hid behind it. “Was it to your liking?”
    “Excellent. The matador gored the bull.” He laughed at the poor animal’s cruel fate and turned his attention back to his meal.

    “Sofia, come and help me get ready for bed!” I called down the stairs.
    She rushed into my bedchamber, her face flushed, her skirts askew.
    “What’s the matter with you?”
    “I am glad that you called me, young mistress. It gave me the excuse to get away from that Habib!”
    “Habib?”
    “Don Luis’s new servant. You would think that he had more hands than an octopus.” She straightened her skirts. “You can be sure that I boxed his ears!” She came closer. “Be careful, mistress,” she whispered. “Habib was asking about you. He wanted to know where you had gone today.”
    Were secretiveness and deceit another two of Luis’s virtues? He had not revealed his suspicions to me at dinner tonight. “What did you say to Habib?”
    She drew herself up to her full height. “Young mistress, you know that I would never betray you. I told him exactly what you told me to say if anyone asked – that you were resting in your chamber most of the afternoon.” She shook her head. “I still don’t think you should be gallivanting about with that Jewish boy, especially without a chaperone, even if the Jews are not asbad as I thought before. They seemed no different from other folks when I went to their Juderia.”
    I patted her hand. “Thank you, Sofia. I know how much I can rely on you.” I could see by the smile playing on her lips that my compliment pleased her.
    I tossed and turned in my bed for hours that night, my fears keeping sleep away. Had Luis recognized me at the gate to the city? If he did, why didn’t he say so?

C HAPTER 7
 
S UNDAY , D ECEMBER 18, 1491 –
W EDNESDAY , D ECEMBER 28, 1491
    I t was the week before Christmas and the house was filled with the aromas of cooking. I knew that an elaborate feast would be waiting for us when we returned from mass. Tia Juana and Brianda would be joining us. I was glad of their company, for our house seemed so empty. Two days ago, Papa had left us for the royal court in Granada. The armies of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were waging war against the Moors. Their majesties were embarked upon the re-conquest of the Kingdom of Granada and of the Alhambra Palace, the Moorish stronghold. The armies of the caliphs had occupied Granada many years ago, but our queen and king were determined to win it back for Christendom. I missed Papa and prayed every day for his safe return.
    There was another absence – and I was glad of it. Luis had left Toledo to spend the holidays on his family’s estate in the kingdom of Aragon. I felt safe for the first time since I met him. Mama shared my feelings.
    “It’ll be a pleasure not to have to serve pork, as we always do when he comes for dinner,” she said.
    The air was fresh