Had that been the reason for his trip to New Mexico? Not Sam Murdock, but the mother of his child? Oh God!

Luna stood there watching her with that faint, supercilious smile on his mouth, as if he knew she had not known.

And, of course, he did. That was the reason he had told her, the reason he watched her so carefully to gauge her reaction. She refused to let him see the depth of her devastation.

“Really, Señor Luna, you are not so foolish as to think I would consider another woman’s child as my own, I hope. My husband and I have led separate lives much of our marriage and I simply cannot keep up with everything.”

“You are very European, Señora Alvarado. Not many women from America would be so casual about their husband’s child with another woman.”

“Perhaps because I was not reared in America but in France, or perhaps because I have not always been uninvolved myself. But you know that, as you seem to have made quite a study of my life. Really, General Luna, I cannot understand why you have this strange obsession with me. It is unhealthy to be so deeply engrossed with the life of someone you do not know, nor will ever know.”

“Ah, but I intend to change that.” He moved toward her, eyes gleaming in the light of lamps and the fire. “When I first saw you, dancing there in Ojinaga, I decided I must have you. You have the soul of a courtesan, the fire of a Spanish gypsy. And I,” he said softly, “make it a point to get what I want.”

Coldly, she said, “You are too insolent! It is time for you to leave, before I summon Artur to evict you.”

“That old man?” He laughed contemptuously. “He could not throw out bathwater, señora, and you know it. No, I will stay as long as I like, long enough to convince you that you need my favor to find your husband.”

“And I presume that your favor comes with a price.”

“Ah, you are very clever. Yes, all things worth having come with a price. It is up to you to decide what is worth more to you—your pride or your husband.”

Bitterly, Ginny thought that it always came down to this, and always she was presented with intolerable choices.

“I refuse to bargain with you, General Luna,” she said icily. “A man who would make such a bargain would not keep it. I have had experience with men like you before. I will not sell myself.”

“Not even for your husband?”

“Steve would not wish to be free at such a price.”