Disclaimer: I own nothing!
It so happened that Victoria brought three bottles of wine with her to the hacienda that night: two bottles of a fine Manzanilla and one of a fair Cava. (Though why she'd picked a sparkling wine she couldn't really explain; aside from Diego's announcement of his intent to adopt Felipe, she didn't feel as though the mood was going to celebratory.) Still, as she'd reached for it, she felt it was the right thing to bring along.
It had been a long and rather melancholy afternoon for the entire pueblo. People had gathered at the tavern and there had been a good amount of drinking, but the typical chatter had been replaced by a lower, more sedate drone of conversation. There had been death in the pueblo that day and it was felt by everyone.
Victoria had spent some of the afternoon quietly in the kitchen, which was a relief to her. She'd found comfort in the routines there-mixing dough for tortillas, stoking the fire, sweeping the hearth, checking the inventory for the next day. As her hands worked, her mind could ponder. There was so much news! Imagine! Risendo was dead by the hand of de Soto. The de la Vegas had lost a son and brother. And Diego was to adopt Felipe as his son. Victoria frowned as she considered the adoption. She had sensed that Diego was about to say something else, something completely different, just before he'd told them that he was planning to adopt Felipe. But what? she wondered. Diego was so puzzling sometimes. On occasion she thought that he was keeping things from them all, but then he would act like such a simpleton that she would think he was just incapable of keeping any secrets at all. She shook her head and smiled to herself. Dear, dear Diego.
After some time in the kitchen she'd slipped into the taproom to check on the customers. She saw the de la Vegas-all three of them now, she mused-sitting apart from the other patrons at a table near the fireplace. They appeared to be deep in conversation. She noted that their glasses were empty. She turned and reached above her for a bottle of Madeira and deftly uncorked it. Today calls for something stronger than lemonade, she thought. She placed it on a tray with a folded cloth and four clean glasses and made her way to the table. As she approached, she saw Felipe tap Diego on the arm, and noted that their conversation stopped abruptly.
"I thought you might be in need of something else, " she said softly. She placed a glass in front of each of them and poured two inches of Madeira in Alejandro's glass.
"Oh, gracias Victoria. Just the thing, " he said, raising the glass to his lips immediately. Victoria poured the sweet fortified wine into the glass in front of Felipe, but paused when she reached Diego's glass. She looked at his face and saw he was watching her intently. Something in his eyes was different. An unspoken assent met her equally quiet question, and she poured the dark red liquid into his glass before pouring some for herself.
"May I?" she asked as she sat on the bench across from Diego.
"Of course, Victoria. Of course. You are always welcome at our table." Alejandro covered her hand with his own. Victoria smiled and raised the glass to her lips. The Madeira was ruby red and sweet, and it warmed her throat. She saw that Diego's glass was untouched. He was studying the glass intently. Felipe had drained his glass and reached for the bottle.
"It's been a very eventful day," remarked Victoria. She immediately regretted saying this. She saw Diego's lips turn upward in what appeared to be an ironic smile.
Alejandro took another drink and then nodded in agreement. "A day that I wish I'd never seen, Victoria. To think that I gained and lost a son all at the same time. Alejandro's eyes narrowed and his forehead creased. He banged his glass on the table. "Curse that Ynez Risendo! She is a spiteful, foul-"
"Father," said Diego in a warning voice. He tipped his head and shook it slightly. "Not in front of Victoria."
Victoria patted Alejandro's arm. "I agree that she is an evil woman. I am just sad that you had to learn of Don Gilberto's existence in this way." She saw Diego flinch at her use of the honorific. She brought the glass to her lips again and noted that Diego's glass was still untouched. He had, however, placed a hand on either side of it. "I am so sorry," she finished softly.
Diego nodded and Alejandro sniffed. The table was quiet for the space of several inches of Madeira.
Victoria reached for the cloth on the tray and wiped imaginary dust from the label. No one spoke. Diego had wrapped a hand around his glass and was now tipping it slowly from side to side, watching the dark liquid swirl. You can drink it, too! thought Victoria. She had never been able to extract a reason from him for his dislike of drink. She noted that Felipe and Alejandro had no such reservations. She refilled Alejandro's glass.
"Gracias, Victoria." She smiled sympathetically and pressed her lips together. It was clear that none of the de la Vegas were in the mood for company. She placed her hands on the table and moved to stand. "I need to attend to dinner now."
Diego's eyes followed her and she thought she saw something flash in his eyes. It was either relief or disappointment. Or was it both?
Victoria placed a comforting hand on Alejandro's shoulder as she stood. "I will be in the kitchen if you need anything. Send Pilar." She gathered her skirt and swept in the direction of the kitchen.
At the table, unknown to Victoria, a quick and quiet current passed between father and son with the raising of Don Alejandro's eyebrows and the quick nod of Don Diego. There was initial resistance followed by a mere breath hesitation and then finally agreement. She will come, then, Alejandro's eyes said to Diego-all before Victoria had moved more than a few steps from the table.
"Victoria," Alejandro called. She turned and moved back to his side. He tapped his fingers on the table before speaking. "Victoria, join us tonight for dinner at the hacienda." He smiled broadly. "I think we could all use your company."
Victoria's brow furrowed. The de la Vegas were in no condition for hosting dinner guests. "Oh, Don Alejandro, thank you. But don't you think you would prefer to be alone together this evening?" She looked to Felipe, who shyly caught her gaze and then glanced toward Diego. Diego continued to study his glass.
Alejandro stood and placed a hand on Victoria's arm. "Victoria, it is a day for family, and you are like family to us. Please. I insist." He looked earnest and his invitation was sincere.
Victoria glanced again at the table and at the half-empty bottle of Madeira. A day for family, she thought. Will they be grieving or celebrating? She wasn't sure she felt like doing either of those things.
She glanced again at the table where Diego sat, unmoving. Why don't you say something? she wondered. Do you want me to come or not? Look at me! Maddening, he was! Fine, she thought. I'll come, but only because your father is a gentleman. She turned to Alejandro and nodded. "Yes, of course."
"Excellent. We'll see you at eight!" He patted her arm and turned back to the table.
Victoria wondered what kind of evening it would be. "I will bring wine," she offered. Felipe grinned widely.
Diego didn't look up, but raised his glass and took a drink.