Chapter 7
Two days later Diego rode beside his father to the pueblo where the older man was to have lunch with his friends, Don Ricardo and Don Emilio, while he would bring his intention to court Victoria out in the open by bringing her a bunch of red roses which he had picked from their garden.
They entered the tavern and Don Alejandro immediately saw his friends and went over to them while Diego walked over to the bar where Victoria was standing, "Buenos dias Senorita," he said as he gave a slight bow of his head, "I know how much you like roses, so I thought you might like some to brighten up the tavern."
Victoria blushed to the same colour of the flowers as she realised that the patrons in the tavern had gone quiet and were watching them with great interest. She felt that rush of nervous excitement wash over her again as she reached out with a trembling hand and took the roses from him, "Oh thank you Diego, they are beautiful." she replied as she buried her nose into the sweet smelling blooms.
Diego cleared his throat, "Victoria, there's something I would like to ask - " he was interrupted by shouts and then musket fire from outside in the plaza
It was immediately followed by the distinctive voice of the Alcalde calling out, "Zorro, we've got him!"
Victoria's confused eyes locked with Diego's for a heart stopping moment before she placed the roses on the bar and rushed out of the tavern with the rest of her patrons and what she saw, made her even more confused. There, on the ground, surrounded by lancers, was Zorro. He was clutching at a wound in his thigh, brandishing his sword and a dark coloured horse stood nearby, pawing the ground in agitation.
She was totally bewildered; she had come to believe that Diego was Zorro but now, standing on the porch of her tavern, she saw the two of them. Her heart pounded in her chest hard, the man she loved had been wounded and was about to be captured by de Soto. She clinched and unclenched her fists as she fought her natural instincts to rush over to him; she knew it would ruin their plans if she did but it didn't make it any easier seeing him in pain.
She felt a presence beside her and a gentle touch on her arm. She looked up and saw Diego standing beside her, "Diego." she tried to keep her worry from her voice.
de Soto sneered as he slowly approached the wounded man, "Now we shall see who you really are, Zorro."
Victoria's eye widened in fear at the Alcalde's remarks, "I never thought I would see him captured." she said as she gazed at the black clad man.
Diego had seen the conflict in her eyes when de Soto had called out Zorro's name and with a sinking feeling, he knew he had no choice but to reveal the truth in such a way that it might endanger both of them. It wasn't how he wanted to confirm Zorro's identity; he had intended to ask for her permission to court her in front of everyone, then he would take her aside and tell her privately.
He moved his hand down her arm and clasped her hand before he leant close to her, "Victoria, it's not him." he whispered, "You have a ring and it was my mother's."
She gasped silently at the words that only she and Zorro knew. As she gripped his hand tight, she turned and stared into his vivid blue eyes, she saw his love, his concern and she knew it to be true, "Madre de dios." she whispered as her heart pounded hard in her chest; Diego really was Zorro.
He squeezed her hand tight, "Victoria, please, I will explain everything later - " He stopped as he saw several people looking in their direction.
She nodded; she too had noticed a number of people staring at them. She clung tightly to Diego's hand; she knew just how dangerous it was for both of them and she forced herself not to react more than she had to.
There was a gasp from the crowd when de Soto finally ripped off the mask of the black clad figure and revealed a man who was many years older than Diego, with a large jagged scar down the left hand side of his face.
Don Alejandro had noticed how pale Victoria had become and how tight she was holding Diego's hand and he realised that his son must had told her the truth. It was a dangerous move by his son to reveal the identity to her at such an intense moment but he knew that Diego must have had a good reason to do so; he would not endanger the woman he loved in any way. He moved up behind them in an effort to protect them as much as possible, "Do you know him, son?"
Diego jumped; he hadn't heard his father move behind him, "I am not sure father but he does look familiar to me somehow."
They watched as the lancers escorted the wounded man to cuartel cells and it was becoming obvious to everyone that the man was not Zorro, by the way he was cursing them in a loud and obnoxious way.
"I think I know who that is," Diego said as he turned to his father, "Look after Victoria, father." he added as he gently unclasped their hands.
"Diego." she said worriedly.
"Victoria, it's alright. Several days ago, I received a small parcel from the Editor at the San Diego Express and he included a number of wanted posters of bandits in the area, one of which will be of great interest to the Alcalde. I don't think he realises who he has captured." He gave her a reassuring smile before he walked towards the newspaper office.
As the gathered people slowly moved away and went about their own business, Don Alejandro placed his hand on Victoria's trembling shoulder, "He loves you very much, Victoria." he said quietly.
"I know - " she stopped as Doña Maria coming in their direction.
The older lady smiled as she stopped in front of Victoria, "Senorita Escalante, I was wondering if you had changed you mind about allowing me to help you find a suitable husband. If you are, then I know of a kind gentleman who is very interested in meeting you -"
"Doña Maria, I do appreciate what you are trying to do but I must decline your offer. I have decided to accept Don Diego as a suitor." Victoria said with a warm smile.
"Don Diego? But surely he isn't - " She stopped as she realised that his father was standing beside the young woman.
"Doña Maria, I know that my son may not be an obvious choice but he is a good and honest man and I would welcome Victoria into our family." he said firmly.
Victoria blushed slightly at his sincere words.
"I did not mean any disrespect to your son, Don Alejandro. You are correct, he is a good and honest man and would make a good husband," Doña Maria said before she turned to Victoria, "I wish you and Don Diego well, senorita." She added before she walked away, her head held up high.
As they watched her go, Victoria giggled.
"What's so funny, Victoria?" he asked curiously.
She looked into Don Alejandro's kind but puzzled eyes, "She once told Diego that he didn't have a romantic bone in his body. If only she knew." she giggled again.
Don Alejandro chuckled as they entered the tavern, "Yes, he is full of surprises," he paused, "Victoria, please come out to the hacienda when you close for siesta today, so you and Diego can talk without interruptions."
She nodded. "Gracias, Don Alejandro, I will." she said rather firmly.
Don Alejandro hid his smile, she would definitely keep Diego on his toes.
After she closed the tavern for siesta, Victoria rode out to the de la Vega hacienda and it was Don Alejandro, himself, who opened the door and warmly welcomed her inside his home, "How are you feeling?" he asked with an understanding smile.
"I think I am over the shock, Don Alejandro but in some ways, I'm having some trouble believing that Diego is...him." she replied.
Don Alejandro chuckled, "I know how you feel, I have the same problem. I have become accustomed to Diego's ways over the years but sometimes he will sound like Zorro and then I look at him with wonder and a little awe." he admitted.
She nodded, "Of what he has done for us over the years."
"Yes and how he had to live two different lives as it were. He has a strength I never realised."
Victoria felt tears welled in her eyes at the pride and love in Don Alejandro's voice for his son, "How did you find out?" she asked.
He sighed, "It was on the day that Gilberto died, Diego had to fight him to protect me," he paused as the memory of that terrible day came back, "I was stunned at the sight of Diego's sudden ability to handle a sword and with his left hand, no less. Then when we came into the pueblo, I confronted him and he admitted to being Zorro. It was a shock, I can assure you, on top of the death of Gilberto."
"I am sorry Don Alejandro, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories for you." she said compassionately. She knew that like Diego, Don Alejandro was still mourning the tragic loss of his son.
He surprised her by pulled her into his arms and embracing her warmly, "It's alright Victoria." his voice unsteady. He pulled away, a little embarrassed by his sudden actions, "You love him, don't you?" he asked.
She smiled warmly, "I love him very much and yes, we do plan to marry soon, after all that was the reason for the break up with Zorro in the first place."
"I'm so happy for you both. I have always wanted Diego to marry someone he loved, like I loved my own beloved wife." He said as he fought back unmanly tears, "Now go to him, he's out in the corral, training one of our horses."
She fought back her own tears, "I know that Diego and I will have a good and happy marriage, just as you did." she whispered as she planted a kiss on her soon to be father-in-law's cheek and rushed off before she cried in earnest.
Victoria, now dried eyed, found Diego in the corral, riding a young filly. He was so intent on his training that he didn't noticed her standing by the rail and she watched with growing pride at his skill at handling the skittish filly and it was obvious that she was only recently broken to the saddle and was still fighting the bit in her tender mouth. She heard his soft voice calming the animal and he soon had the filly walking and then trotting around the corral, responding to each of his commands.
It was then she noticed that the filly had a striking resemblance to Toronado; although she wasn't quite black, her coat was dark brown and she had one white sock on left hind leg, her features were unmistakable. She wondered if Diego was mating his stallion with the de la Vega's mares. She didn't blame him at all; Toronado was a truly wonderful horse.
It was only when Diego walked the filly towards the gate, that he noticed her, "Victoria." He said as his face lit up with a warm smile. He dismounted, handed the reins to Jose and went through the gate to join her.
Her heart beat faster as he kissed the back of her hand, "Diego, really." she blushed, a little embarrassed but pleased at the same time.
"We are courting now, aren't we?" he grinned as her blush deepened as Jose walked past them with a large smile on his face.
"Of course we are but..." she glanced back at Jose, knowing that he had heard. She shook her head and changed the subject, "You were real gentle with the filly Diego, how long has she been saddled?"
"About six days now, she is going very well and will be a great horse to ride." he replied.
She nodded, "I've noticed that she looks like Toronado. Are you breeding him with your mares?"
He chuckled, "Not intentionally, no. Over the years, I have noticed a number of our foals have a striking resemblance to Toronado; it seems that Zorro's faithful stallion escaped from the cave every so often."
She laughed too, "What did you father say about these foals?"
He grinned, "He couldn't understand it but he knew good horseflesh when he saw it, so he kept some and sold the rest but I am thinking of keeping the filly."
"You should, she is a real beauty." she replied, "Diego - "
"Victoria - "
They said together before laughing.
"Victoria, would you like to go for a walk?" he asked softly as he took her hand in his.
She squeezed his hand, "Si, I would love to." she replied.
Don Alejandro happened to be looking out of a window just in time to see his son walking hand in hand with Victoria towards the small rise behind the hacienda, where a bench was seated under a large tree. He felt so happy for them, their love was strong and he knew it would only get stronger.
They reached the bench and sat down. Victoria gazed around at the view, "It's so lovely here, Diego." she uttered her first words since they started their walk, where he had explained everything to her.
"Yes it is," he replied softly, his heart was pounding, "Victoria, please tell me what are you feeling?" he pleaded.
She looked down at their joined hands, and then blushed as she imagined those gentle, slender fingers caressing her; it wasn't the time for such thoughts and she forced them from her mind and concentrated on the present. She looked up and gazed into his eyes, letting all her love for him shine through, "What I'm feeling is love, love for you, Diego."
He was surprised by her declaration; it wasn't what he had expected, "But aren't you angry, hurt, shocked by my deception over the years."
She smiled reassuringly, "The shock I felt was more from the way it happened than of you telling me about it. You see, over the last couple of days, I was beginning to suspect that you were Zorro until I was quite certain you were him. But when that bandit was shot by the lancers today, I became so confused."
He nodded, "So I noticed but are you not angry or hurt." he said.
She sighed, "I won't say that I wasn't hurt or angry but it was more at me than at you. I should have seen what was in front of me all these years but I was too blind to notice, which must have hurt you too, Diego. To see me act like a love struck teenager over Zorro, while I all but ignored you. I'm sorry if I hurt you."
Diego let out a breath, "It wasn't your fault Victoria, I had to make you believe that Zorro and I were two separate men. I did it to myself." he said. He took another deep breath and slowly let it out; there was something he had to know. He turned to face her, took another breath, "I need to know, I need to know when did you discover that you loved me?" he asked.
Victoria understood what he was asking; he was still very insecure about her love for him. She reached out and gently brushed his hair off his forehead, "When you asked me to the first play the other day, I felt this strange growing feeling of excitement, almost like I was nervous young girl being asked out for the first time." she felt her ears burn.
He gave her a small smile at he saw the tips of her ears turn red, "So, I made you nervous."
She nodded, "Yes you did and you still do. By the next night, I couldn't stop thinking about you and it was then I began to hope that you were Zorro and then I noticed how similar you were to him." she grabbed his hand, "Diego, don't you see, I realised my feelings, my attraction to you before I really knew you were Zorro. I do love the man under the mask, I do love the man of flesh and blood."
"Mi preciosa," he murmured as he pulled her into a fierce embrace as his fears disappeared.
He pulled back and he gently caressed her face, "I love you Victoria Escalante."
"I love you too Diego de la Vega."
Their first kiss without the mask was a soft touch of lips, gentle, tender and sweet, "I have wanted to kiss you without the mask for a long time," he whispered, "Zorro has already asked you this but Victoria, will you please do me the honour of becoming my wife. Will you marry me?"
Tears bubbled in her eyes, "Oh yes, Diego. I will marry you." she wrapped her arms around his neck, crying with joy.
He held her tight in his arms, his eyes misted with unshed tears; his dream was finally coming true. He pulled back and kissed her once more.
She shivered at the delicious sensation of his loving kiss, his lips glided sensuously over hers, his moustache tickled her upper lip and she sighed as she melted into his strong arms. He couldn't get enough of her soft lips, his tongue gently traced the outline of her lips waiting. He moaned as her lips parted under his soft coaxing and he gently slid his tongue inside and lovingly entwined with hers and he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss as his hand skimmed over her body, touching her in ways he had longed to do.
They soon came up for air, gasping for breath.
"I'm sorry." he panted as removed his wandering hand from her slender form and shifted on the bench.
"Its alright." she replied hoarsely before she leant her head against his shoulder.
They sat in a companionable silence for a time, relaxing for the first time in each other's company.
"Diego, you weren't going to tell me yet, were you? I mean, in your letter, it wasn't the time yet, was it?" she asked.
He shook his head, "No, I wasn't but I am glad that you know." he replied.
"So am I. What are we going to do now?" she wanted to know.
"We will have to be careful about showing our feelings for each other in public, at least for now, but I'll go on as planned, for me to court you."
She chuckled, "You better, otherwise your reputation as a gentleman will be worthless. Your father and I made sure of that."
Diego moved enough so he could look into her eyes, "My reputation?" he said with confusion in his voice.
She giggled as she sat up straight, "When you went to the guardian office today, Doña Maria came up to me and your father. She said that there was someone who wanted to meet me but I told her that I had accepted you, so by now everyone in the pueblo will know."
He grinned, he knew what a big gossip Doña Maria was, "Well, I better not disappoint the good people of Los Angeles."
She gave him a little shove, "You better not disappoint me, I am expecting a wonderful courtship, Diego de la Vega."
"I will do my best to live up to your expectations, Senorita Escalante." he replied as he kissed her hand gallantly.
"Make it a fast courtship Diego, I don't want to wait." she whispered.
"Neither do I."
