Paradise & More (Torres Family Saga) Read Online Free Page B

Immediately the door swung wide. A hooded servant gestured silently and they followed him up a dark, twisting set of stone steps.
           Isaac Torres was as unlike his brother as could be imagined—short and thickset with coarse dark brown hair. Only the eyes, that same keen measuring blue as Benjamin's, betrayed their common ancestry. His homely face split in a wide smile of welcome for his tall, elegant brother and the nephew now transformed into a soldier. After they embraced and took care to blink back any evidence of emotion their eyes might betray, Isaac gestured to the round oak table. “Come, sit. I have had Ruth prepare refreshment. A cool draught of wine, some fresh fruit and bread.”
           They sat in the richly carved high-backed chairs around the table. Isaac fixed his guests with a firm stare and said, “This time is precious and we must not waste it. I bring news from court—some good, some ill.”
           “Has Colon the approval he sought?” Aaron asked.
           “Yes, and in that lies a tale. He was summoned before the Majesties in Santa Fe only three days ago to have his petition again denied.” At Aaron's angry outburst, Isaac put up his hand for silence. “But no more did he depart than the Keeper of the Privy Purse, Luis Santangel, and I importuned the queen. We have been in contact with a merchant of Palos, one Martin Alonzo Pinzón, who also wishes to back the enterprise. He owns two ships and happens to owe money to the crown. We struck a bargain with Ysabel, shrewd woman that she is. In time she and Luis convinced Fernando that the venture would cost little and gain much. Within hours of the Genoese's departure, we had a royal messenger racing to recall him. He has received his commission to sail west for the Indies!”
           Isaac watched Aaron's eyes light at the news. “You will join him?” He knew the answer even before he asked.
           “Yes, I will join him. If he pleases the Trastamaras, our family fortunes cannot help but fare better.” Aaron's expression became guarded then as he studied both older men. “There is more?” He looked from Isaac to Benjamin.
           “We have all been hearing rumors,” Isaac began carefully.
           “You spoke of tidings good and ill, brother. Let us now hear the ill. Since I worked with you to get Colon his hearing last summer, I have been away from court.”
           Aaron's eyes widened. So, his father had been in continuous touch with his uncle. He bitterly regretted his words earlier in the day.
           “The ill is the worst we feared.”
           “It is to be expulsion, then?” Benjamin said hopelessly.
           “I fear so, although I shall do everything within my power to stop it. We were wise to plant a foot in each camp. If I fail, you must succeed. Torquemada's power over the queen has grown alarmingly since the fall of the Moors. He rails at her night and day. Only Fernando's avarice keeps him in check. The Jews can always be counted upon to bleed ducats into the treasury.”
           “More might be gained in the short run if he simply expelled all Jews and confiscated their property,” Benjamin said thoughtfully. “Remember the laws of Castile prohibit anyone from taking gold or silver from the country.”
           “Just so. Of course, after a few years without his most vital civil servants to collect taxes, conduct trade and keep his accounts—not to mention treat his ailments—he will come to a sorry pass, but only time will prove that out,” Isaac replied with disgust.
           “Can you smuggle money from Castile across the Pyrenees into France?” Aaron asked.
           His uncle's smile was guileless. “A plan long afoot. We did not wait like sheep to be sheared.”
           Benjamin's face was bleak. “For a thousand years we have lived in Castile and Aragon. It will be hard to live in a cold northern