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  Blood drained from his face leaving tingling in its wake. How could she know of Cristobal? They had been so very careful. Even the bishop had no idea. The queen’s spies must be everywhere!

  “You are extremely valuable to me, Padre,” she continued with a sneer. “Too valuable to lose. But a small babe . . . ” She shook her head. “While it distresses me to think that you will be the end of your line, if a life must be sacrificed better it be one that has barely started.”

  Sacrifice! Gooseflesh rose beneath his cassock. He had no wish to be the instrument of Señorita Charlebois’s demise, but he could not sacrifice his infant son. His glance fell upon a nest of captive mice shivering in a wooden box. He felt a kinship.

  “I will require heat,” he said, defeated. “Immense heat to tap the vast quantity of required energy, and iron. I must have sufficient iron. Can you arrange such things?”

  “Would a foundry suffice?” Queen Isabella smiled, victory in her grasp. “I am scheduled to tour such a facility later this week.”

  Rodriguez nodded, numb to the queen’s glee. He turned his back so she wouldn’t see him raise his hand to touch his forehead, chest and shoulders.

  “I believe I shall have Señorita Madeline Allegra Charlebois herself confirm the details,” she said with malicious laughter.

  A shiver rippled down the Padre’s spine. He bowed his head but couldn’t recall a prayer for such a despicable act. Instead, he offered what would most likely be an ignored prayer for forgiveness.

  May God have mercy on my soul.

  CHARMING THE PROFESSOR – available soon.

  About the Author

  Donna MacMeans made a wrong turn many years ago when she majored in Accounting at Ohio State University. What was she thinking? Balancing books just can’t compete with crafting plots and inventing memorable characters. She finally broke free from her life as a CPA to write witty and seductive Victorian historicals in what can only be described as her dream job.

  Her books have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Golden Heart® from Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, as well as recognition in many regional contests. She consistently receives high praise and glowing reviews.

  When her fingers aren’t on a keyboard or adding machine, she loves to dance. In fact, she met her husband forty years ago on the dance floor in Cleveland, Ohio. She also paints and periodically creates desserts with copious amounts of alcohol. A member of the popular Romance Bandits blog group, she is always approachable and loves to hear from readers.