Three men sat in dour silence in the de la Vega library. Diego was holding a book, but had given up trying to read it. Pumphrey and Alejandro stared intensely at unmoving chess pieces. It had been three days since the dreadful news had arrived at the hacienda. All three days, Pumphrey, Alejandro, and Diego, had kept vigil in the library waiting for Lilly to leave her room. She hadn't.
For the last three days, the house had been full of silence and sorrow. Every day Claire had taken trays of food into Lilly's room but they all returned to the kitchen untouched. When the men looked up at Claire expectantly, she only shook her head mournfully.
So, they didn't expect much when they heard someone approach. Until they saw it was Lilly.
She was pale and wan, and, to Diego, seemed to have aged years in the space of three short days. Her hair was pulled back severely. Her dress plain and brown, probably a traveling gown, and when she raised her eyes to them, those too had lost a glow.
The three men rose and waited expectantly for her to speak.
"I've spent these three days thinking, and I've come to a decision," her voice began low and halting, but gained strength and volume with every word. "Grandfather left specific instructions about how he wanted to be remembered. I want to honor those, with your help."
"Of course," Alejandro began, but she lifted her hand and shook her head.
"You don't know what they are yet," she seemed to be troubled by the conditions she was about to reveal. "He didn't want a solemn funeral; he wanted everyone to spend time enjoying all the things he enjoyed best. In short he wanted…" her voice broke a little as she continued. "…a party."
That surprised them.
"Only if it's alright with you Don Alejandro, Diego," she added. "It is after all your home."
After a moment's consideration, Alejandro acquiesced, "Of course, my dear. I'll let Maria know you're to have whatever you need."
***
For the last four days, Ignacio De Soto had awoken without thinking about capturing Zorro. The masked bandit's mocking eyes had been replaced by a pair so dark blue that Ignacio fancied them violet, his arrogant smile with the sweet smile of an angel. The deep flippant tones replaced by dulcet ones.
Ignacio De Soto was in love, and she was perfect. Well, except for being English. He'd completely forgotten his plot to capture Zorro, and he didn't care. Well, mostly.
He would be completely satisfied if he could see the new object of his desire, but the event of her grandfather's death made that impossible for the moment. The de la Vegas had barred anyone from visiting her.
He'd gone to the hacienda every day since he'd first met her, to no avail. She wouldn't be mourning forever, however, and he'd be there to reintroduce himself when she was ready.
He smiled in anticipation. She might still need comfort when she began to receive visitors. His smiled widened.
***
Preparations for the small party went very smoothly. Lilly had the household buzzing with activity. There was to be dancing, cards, and little buffet. Diego and his father were to write the guest list, but Lilly had asked especially that the alcalde, Victoria and Major Wright be included. Apparently the major was a favorite of her grandfather's.
She seemed to be getting back to her old self. She smiled and laughed and her eyes even sparkled again at times. It occurred to Diego that this is what she was best at, and she also enjoyed it all. It wasn't a small thing to coordinate such an event.
Don Alejandro often remarked meaningfully to his son on how efficient Lilly was with the staff. She had everyone dancing to her tune.
Diego did notice. He also noticed how intently Felipe helped her. He practically jumped to do her bidding. It worried Diego. The boy seemed to have a bit of a crush on Lilly.
He was watching in wonder as Lilly showed Felipe just how to fold paper flowers. Paper flowers! Daisy chain necklaces!
"I know," he heard soft voice and realized that he had just spoken aloud. He turned to see Claire standing to his right. Felipe and Lilly were in the dining room out of earshot.
"You should watch him, he's under her spell," Claire's voice was soft and hoarse as if rusty from lack of use.
"Spell? What do you mean?"
Claire smiled a little looking over at Lilly wistfully. "She's so good at making all of us adore her, just by being Lilly. She saved my life, took me in, and loved me just like I was her own sister. But that place in her heart, that he wants," she pointed at Felipe. "He won't be able to touch. She'll break his heart and never mean to and never know she did. I've seen it happen more times than I care to say," Claire started to walk away. "You should talk to him before that happens," she called over her shoulder.
***
"I've paid you to do a job Juan, and you failed, more than once," the man spoke as he always did from the shadows. Juan was terrified. He couldn't seem to find his voice.
"Zorro is on his guard. That bar slut will be more protected than ever. You've made my job twice as hard," he spoke evenly, but Juan heard the rage just under the surface. "I should kill you right now." The sound of a pistol cock echoed all around Juan and he was certain these few moments were his last.
"If you don't bring me that woman within the week I will."
