Reminding himself not to be a coward, Diego entered the tavern.

Waiting was at last too hard, first for Victoria, and now for him. She had to listen.

Greeting her as usual, he talked of her last suitor's suitability. Although she insisted that he wasn't the man for her, something about him being too self-centred or something, Diego knew she wouldn't be so picky forever.

Asking to talk with her got him fobbed off like all the rest. He sighed, turning away. Taking a deep breath, he sauntered over to the other dons, pretending he wasn't shaking in his boots.