― Chapter 4 ―
Dance
Victoria found Diego sitting in the garden as his father had said. He was staring into the night, lost in thought. He didn't seem to notice as she sat down in the chair beside him. Perhaps now was a good time to ask him about his brother's death.
`Diego?' she said softly.
`Hmm?' he mumbled, coming out of his reverie. `Oh, I'm sorry, Victoria. I was just thinking.'
Victoria smiled to herself. Yes, this was the Diego she knew, absentminded and daydreaming.
`May I ask you something, Diego?'
`Anything, Victoria, as always,' he replied, wondering what could be on her mind.
`Do you... Do you blame yourself for your brother's death?' she asked hesitantly.
`Blame myself? Whatever gave you that idea?' he exclaimed, jumping up from his chair. Before she could answer, he quickly said, `It's getting cold out here. We should go inside.'
Victoria stared after her friend as he walked away from her. What did this mean? Was he offended by the idea that he might blame himself, or did he actually do so and was he unwilling to talk about it?
While she slowly walked back into the hacienda, Victoria heard a soft melody coming from the sala. She sat down in a chair near the piano and watched Diego's long fingers caress the keys. As Felipe entered the room, Diego nodded at him. The young man stood next to the piano with his hand on the instrument. He smiled when Diego played a more lively tune. He must like feeling the vibrations, Victoria mused. She marveled at the way Diego had adapted to his son's deafness. He always seemed to understand Felipe. She stood up from her chair and walked around the room, slowly swaying to the music.
`I think Victoria would like to dance,' observed Diego with a wink to his son.
Victoria stopped and stared at him. Don Alejandro looked up from his book just in time to catch Felipe's gestured response.
`He's right, Diego. How is he supposed to dance without hearing the music?' he commented.
`I was not suggesting he should,' Diego replied, looking pointedly at his father.
`Oh no, Diego! I'm too old to dance with such a handsome young lady,' Don Alejandro exclaimed. `If someone is going to dance with Victoria, it's going to be you.'
Diego glanced at Victoria, wishing he had held his tongue. He felt coerced as his father took his place behind the piano, but he had to admit he had brought this on himself.
`You don't have to dance with me, Diego,' said Victoria quickly as Don Alejandro began to play.
`I don't think we have much choice in the matter,' Diego replied with a small smile. `My father seems quite determined.'
Victoria looked over at Don Alejandro and Felipe, who both nodded at her encouragingly.
`All right then. Let's dance,' Victoria said cheerfully.
She grabbed Diego's arm and pulled him away from the piano. Giving in to her smile, Diego took her hand in his and placed his other hand on the small of her back. Victoria enjoyed herself as her friend led her around the room, and both were soon oblivious to their surroundings.
`What do you think, Felipe? Should I play something with a little more tempo?' Don Alejandro whispered to his grandson.
Felipe grinned at him and nodded. It was good to see his father dancing with Victoria, even if she didn't know how he felt about her.
The couple continued to dance as Don Alejandro picked up the tempo. Both were smiling while they whirled around the room. Diego spun Victoria away from him, then pulled her back and dipped her. She laughed as he pulled her back up and joined him in a bow for Felipe, who was applauding them loudly.
`Bravo!' called Don Alejandro, abandoning the piano and joining in the applause.
Diego led Victoria to a nearby chair and poured her a glass of water.
`Thank you, Diego,' she said breathlessly, surprised he was not equally out of breath.
`I think it's time you take Victoria home, son,' said Don Alejandro.
Diego nodded and left to summon the carriage.
`Thank you for joining us for dinner, my dear.'
`Thank you for inviting me, Don Alejandro,' Victoria replied gratefully. `I had a lovely evening.'
Don Alejandro smiled at her while he escorted her out of the hacienda and to the front gate, where Diego was waiting.
`Adiós, Victoria,' the don said, assisting her into the carriage.
`Adiós, Don Alejandro,' she replied while she waved back at Felipe, who was still standing at the door.
Victoria stifled a yawn as they drove back to the pueblo.
`I think I'd better get you back to your tavern quickly, or you might fall asleep right here,' Diego chuckled.
`I'm fine, Diego,' she replied drowsily, `but I never knew dancing could be so tiring, especially since I'm normally on my feet all day.'
He thought about the evening and didn't respond.
`I did enjoy dancing with you, Diego.'
`So did I, Victoria,' he replied absentmindedly.
`Maybe we can do it again sometime?'
`I'd like that,' he said with a smile.
As they entered the pueblo, Diego fell silent again and Victoria wondered what he was thinking about. Could it be their exchange in the garden?
`Diego?'
`Hmm?'
`Are you angry at me for what I asked in the garden?' she asked apprehensively.
`Not at all.'
`Good. I didn't mean anything by it, you know. I'm just a bit worried about you.'
`I'm fine, Victoria. Really,' he assured her.
Diego pulled up the carriage in front of the tavern and helped Victoria down.
`Gracias, Diego. Buenas noches.'
`Good night, Victoria.'
Diego waited until she had entered the tavern and he heard her lock up before turning the carriage back toward the hacienda. Inside Victoria leaned against the door.
`Zorro, I sure hope you can dance too,' she whispered into the darkness.
When he returned home, Diego found his father and son playing chess in the library. They grinned at him as he entered.
`I suppose you thought that was funny,' he groaned.
`Oh, come now, Diego,' Don Alejandro exclaimed. `You looked happy enough while you were dancing.'
`That's because I thought I had better enjoy the moment, Father. Once she finds out that I've been lying to here for the past six years, she may never want to dance with me again,' he replied dejectedly.
`You still believe she will reject you? Well, I don't. Oh, she will be angry for a while, but she'll come around.'
`We'll see, won't we,' Diego muttered. `Now, if you will excuse me, I think I'll go to bed.'
Don Alejandro glanced at the chessboard.
`Wait a moment, Diego. I think I'm finally beating your son, and I'd like you to see it.'
Diego observed Felipe's grin and gave the board a once-over.
`He's just playing with you, Father. You're not going to win,' he warned.
`Nonsense, I'm winning! Don't you see?' Don Alejandro exclaimed.
Diego turned to Felipe and muttered, `Just do it will you. I want to go to bed.'
With a nod and another grin Felipe made his move.
`There, checkmate,' Diego said triumphantly. `Good night, Father, Felipe.'
He walked out of the library toward his bedroom, while his father stared at the chessboard and shook his head. Felipe nudged his grandfather, pointed at Diego and shrugged.
`Diego!' Don Alejandro called after him. `What are you going to do about Victoria?'
`I don't know, Father. Maybe I'll tell her tomorrow,' was the frustrated response they heard before Diego slammed the door to his room.
`I hope he tells her before he breaks down the house,' his father muttered.
Felipe could only agree, but he doubted Diego would really tell her the next day.
Author's note: There! I kept my promise of updating every three or four days, even though I'm a nervous wreck (graduation jitters). How did you like the garden chat? :p
