Chapter 4

Diego had just arrived at the tavern from The Guardian office, where he had been working on his editorial and as he stood near the door way, he watched Victoria and her girls rush about with the orders for food and drink; it seemed that everyone had come into the pueblo, not only for lunch but also to gossip over the break up of Zorro and his lady. He didn't realise that it would still be generating such large interest some four days after the event and he was becoming worried by the effect it was having on Victoria.

It was much harder on Victoria than himself for she was in the public eye all the time; she just couldn't hide away somewhere and he knew that he had to support her where he could. She was exhausted, not only by the large numbers of patrons that have been in the tavern over the last couple days but of keeping up the appearance of being grief stricken over the break up. It could not be an easy thing for her to do and his respect for her grew hundredfold for what she had to endure.

"Hola Don Diego, can I help you?" Pilar said as she came up to him.

He smiled, "Hola Pilar," he paused as he saw Victoria striding by with a frown on her face and suddenly he had an idea, "I would like two lunches to be taken over to The Guardian office. Umm, two bowls of albondigas soup, if you have it, two servings of flan or other desert you may have and two coffees."

Pilar nodded, "Of course Don Diego. Anything else?"

"I would like Victoria to bring it over to me," he said, "And if she doesn't want to, tell her that I'll return to the tavern and make a nuisance of myself in her kitchen until she does." he added with a smile.

Pilar regarded the handsome Don with a smile of her own; she had a feeling of what he was trying to do, "I'll make sure that I tell her." she replied before she made her way to the kitchen while Diego left the tavern and returned to the newspaper office.

Ten minutes later Victoria and Pilar carefully walked across the dusty plaza, each carrying a tray of food; Victoria had the bowls of soup and the cutlery while Pilar had the flans and cups of coffee.

"Diego." Victoria called out as they walked up the two steps to the doorway of the office.

Diego rose from his chair and quickly moved over to the ladies, "Here let me get that." he said as he took Victoria's tray and placed it on the desk before he turned back to Pilar and took hers as well.

"Gracias." Pilar said as she gave a smile to Diego and quickly left them alone.

Victoria removed the items from the tray and looked around, "Where's Felipe?" she asked curiously.

Diego smiled, "He's not here." he replied.

She raised an eyebrow, "Then you really must be hungry if you wanted two servings of everything." she teased him.

He chuckled, "It's not all for me," he said as he pulled out a chair for her, "Please sit, Victoria and have some lunch with me."

"Oh Diego, that's thoughtful of you but I can't. We are really busy at the moment and I can't leave the girls on their own." she said apologetically as she picked up the trays.

"Nonsense," he said as he took the trays from her and placed them on top of the cabinet, "You need to have a rest, you've been rushed off your feet for the last several days and you will wear yourself out, if you don't look after yourself."

"But I - "

"No buts," he said as he gently guided her towards the chair, "Sit and have something to eat." he said firmly.

She was surprised by his firmness, it wasn't often that he showed such resolve but he was right; she needed a rest, if only for a moment or two, "Alright, I am feeling a little tired." she admitted as she sat down on the chair.

He nodded as he too sat down, "You'll feel better once you have eaten some food." he said with a smile as he handed over a bowl of soup to her while he took the other one.

She gave him a small smile as she took the bowl, "Gracias."

For the next several minutes, they enjoyed their meal in companionable silence.

After awhile, Victoria leant back in her chair, cradling her cup of coffee in her hand, "Thank you Diego, I really did need a break from everything." she admitted.

Diego nodded as he relaxed in his chair, "You're most welcome," he paused for a moment, "How are you, Victoria?" he asked kindly.

She looked up and saw kindness written on his face and immediately looked away; she didn't want to see his concern over what was a deception on her part. She sighed, "I guess you know about my break up with Zorro?"

He nodded, "Everyone knows about it." he replied.

She sighed, "Yes, everyone knows but I will be fine."

He saw her reluctance to discuss it, even with him. He didn't want her to believe that she was on her own and isolated so he leant forward, "If you ever want to talk about it, you can always come to me." he said sincerely, without realising that he was echoing his father's words from days before.

She felt tears burn her eyes at his kindness and understanding, "I might just do that." she replied.

Over the following weeks Victoria's attitude slowly changed; she became her usual happy self once more and the citizens soon noticed her light flirtation with some of her male customers. She knew she had to flirt openly, that it was part of the plan to show the people that she was willing to be courted but she wasn't enjoying herself; the only man she wanted to flirt with, was her masked bandit. She hoped that he would show his hand sooner rather than later.

de Soto had just entered the tavern for lunch, when he saw the Victoria standing by the bar talking with an older gentlemen and from the way she was smiling at the stranger, it appeared that she was interested in the man. He shook his head in disbelief; surely she could do better than an old man like that, he mused to himself as he made his way over to a vacant table and sat down.

"Can I help you, Alcalde?" Alicia asked as she came up to his table.

de Soto nodded, "Si, I would like some carne asada and some bread. Oh and a glass of ale, please."

She nodded, "Of course, Alcalde." she replied before she moved towards the kitchen.

de Soto sat back and watched Victoria from of the corner of his eye and wondered, not for the first time, if her break up with Zorro was just a clever ruse or if it was indeed true. It certainly appeared real enough, with a number of men coming forward to express an interest but nothing had come from it. Even he, himself, had a fleeting thought to court her; after all she was a very attractive woman but he had dismissed the idea almost immediately, he doubted that she would even consider him as a likely suitor because of their previous dealings. It would take a courageous man to take her as his wife; knowing of her reputation as Zorro's woman as well as her fiery nature, he mused to himself as Alicia came back with his meal and his ale, "Gracias." he said as she placed them in front of him.

Alicia smiled, "de nada." she replied before she moved away to serve another customer.

As Victoria moved around the tables, making sure everyone was happy with their meals and drinks, she reflected on the gentleman she had just been speaking to; an older man, who was on his way to San Diego for business. He seemed very charming and witty with kind brown eyes and if things had been different, she would be agreeable to meet him once more, to get to know him better but he wasn't HIM.

She was cleaning a table when Sergeant Mendoza entered the tavern with Corporal Sepulveda behind him. They crossed over to their comrades who were sitting nearby, "We saw Zorro this afternoon." Mendoza said as he sat down.

Private Gomez shrugged, "So, we see him all the time."

"Si, that's true but he wasn't alone this time." Mendoza replied.

Gomez raised an eyebrow in surprise, "What! Do you mean he had a woman with him?"

Mendoza glanced around but didn't notice Victoria standing white faced as her fingers twisted a cloth in agitation, "Si, he was riding Toronado and there was a senorita sitting in front of him."

Sepulveda grinned, "A very pretty blonde senorita and from the looks of things, they were getting along real friendly, if you know what I mean." he said with a wink.

"No! Really! Well, he didn't take long to find someone else, did he. Perhaps Senorita Escalante was right in breaking up with him." replied Gomez.

Victoria didn't want to hear any more and rushed back to her kitchen, her heart pounding hard in her chest, "He wouldn't, he couldn't do that to me," she muttered to herself, "There must be a sensible explanation. There has to be."

Felipe had stopped at the tavern for a glass of lemonade, after running some errands for his father at the blacksmith, and he had been shocked by what the sergeant had said. He saw Victoria's reaction to the hurtful and untrue gossip and he knew that he had to warn his father about it, so he could reassure her that nothing had happened. He stood up, left several coins on the bar for his drink and quickly left the tavern.

Diego was in the cave, working on an experiment, when his son rushed down the steps and started signing rapidly. He frowned as he tried to keep up with the signs, "Slow down Felipe," he said, "You heard Mendoza telling everyone in the tavern about Zorro's rescue of Señora Beltana," he paused as the younger man nodded, "But why the panic Felipe? It's true."

Felipe shook his head and signed again.

Diego sat straight up, "You mean that the good sergeant said that Zorro seemed overly friendly with the Señora and within Victoria's hearing?"

Felipe nodded.

Diego sighed as he realised the implications of Mendoza's gossiping, "Do you think that she got the wrong impression of what happened?"

Felipe nodded again, pleased that he had gotten the message across to his father.

Diego ran his fingers through his hair, "If things were different, Zorro would simply ride into the pueblo tonight and talk to Victoria but I can't be seen there or it would destroy what we are trying to achieve. And I definitely can't go as myself, so it will have to be another letter," he paused as he gazed at his son, "I didn't want to risk you again by delivering letters but I can't think of any other way to let Victoria know what really happened."

Felipe smiled and signed his willingness to deliver a letter.

Diego nodded, "Good but be careful. If you think it is too dangerous to hand the letter to her, hide it somewhere for her to find later," he said as he stood up and gently placed his hands on the younger man's shoulders, "I want you to know that I really appreciate you doing this for me, for Victoria and myself. And that by years end, you will be getting a new mother." he added with a grin.

Felipe grinned widely.

"I love you son." he whispered as he pulled Felipe into a warm embrace.

Felipe pulled back and signed his love.

Diego nodded as he cleared his throat, "Well, let's get started on the letter."

In the end, Felipe couldn't deliver the letter to Victoria personally for she was too busy but instead he hid it on a shelf under the bar in her tavern; he was pleased that no-one had seen him drop his father's letter as he stood beside the bar.

Later that night, after she had closed the tavern, she was putting away the last of glasses under the bar when she saw some paper near the back of the shelf, "What's this?" she muttered to herself as she reached for it and discovered that it was an envelope. She pulled it out and smiled when she saw the now familiar handwriting on the front.

"How does he do that?" she said aloud, shaking her head in amazement. She couldn't recall seeing anyone who could have placed the letter there but it had been a busy day in the tavern; it could have been anyone. She did one last look around the tavern, making sure everything was locked up and then went eagerly up to her room. She quickly changed into her nightshirt, jumped into bed and opened Zorro's letter.

Victoria,

You may have heard some unpleasant gossip today concerning me but please don't believe everything you hear.

She sighed with relief, she never really believed that Zorro would cheat on her with another woman.

Earlier today, I came across Señora Beltana, who had become lost after fleeing her home after an argument with her husband and all I did was to take her home. She didn't have a horse, so she had to sit on Toronado with me and let me reassure you, there was no improper behaviour from either one of us.

By the time I returned her home, their argument had obviously been forgotten by how warmly they greeted each other.

She giggled, she knew the couple in question; they had only been married for several months and were notorious, not only for their open displays of affection but for their arguments as well.

Victoria, I have no doubts that we will have some disagreements in the future but I hope that you won't run out of our home like that. I would like to think that we would resolve any arguments without the need for such dramatics.

I love you, Victoria Escalante, never doubt that.

Your humble servant,

Z

Victoria felt tears well in her eyes as she re-read his letter; she should never have doubted him, she should never had taken Mendoza's word for what happened especially considering his habit of exaggerating all the stories he told. She sighed as she folded the letter and placed it on the small bedside table, blew out the candle and settled down to sleep.