Chapter 7

Victoria and Alfonso returned to Miguel's for a light lunch and then went upstairs to their room where she placed her tired little boy into bed for his afternoon sleep. For some time she read a book that she borrowed from Miguel's wife, Carmen, but soon she became tired too, after all it had been an early morning start for all of them. She placed the book on the table and laid down on the bed beside her son and fell into a light sleep.

A number of hours later, she was walking down the clean streets with Alfonso, window shopping. She had already bought a number of items for herself, some new shoes for Alfonso, as well as a small gift for Felipe, who had stayed at the hacienda looking after the ranch while they were away but now she was just happy to stroll along the streets, enjoying the sights and sounds around her. She would stop occasionally when something caught her eye and would start to haggle over a price with the merchant. Sometimes she would get a better price, other times she would not. But Victoria didn't mind at all, she was enjoying herself. Alejandro had been right, this was what she needed to lift her spirits.

Victoria finally caught up with Alejandro just before dinner. The cattleman's meeting had concluded with much heated debate over many different topics, a large amount of food and wine had been consumed by the gentlemen as well as many cigars had been smoked.

It was the first thing that Victoria noticed when he entered their room. She frowned as she sniffed the air. "Have you been smoking Alejandro?"

He laughed a little guiltily. "Well, I can't deny that. I'm sorry if it bothers you."

She chuckled and shook her head. "It's alright, just don't make a habit of it."

"Yes mother." he replied with amusement.

Victoria felt her face flush with embarrassment. "I'm sorry Alejandro. It's not my place to tell you what to do."

He patted her hand. "It's okay Victoria, I only smoke cigars when I come to these meetings, it's just a thing that we all do. So tell me, what did the two of you get up to today?"

She let out a sigh and told him what had happened; he had a right to know what had happened to his grandson.

"Madre de dios." he exploded in anger. "How dare that woman not apologise." He hissed as he gazed at his grandson sitting at the desk, scribbling on some paper that Victoria had brought with them. He crossed the room and ruffled the little boy's dark hair as he bent over him. "What are you drawing there Alfonso?" he asked but his attention was focused on the little boy's hand and felt a wave of anger wash over him as he saw a faded red mark on his wrist.

Alfonso smiled at his grandfather. "I gave bread to the birds, they were funny."

Alejandro smiled back as he ruffled his hair once more. "Yes, birds are funny." he stood up and faced Victoria. "Are you sure that she saw her child do it? Could you be mistaken?" he asked quietly, he was so angry that he wanted to shout but he didn't want to frighten Alfonso.

Victoria shook her head. "I'm pretty certain of it Alejandro. What kind of mother would not apologise, I mean if it had been Alfonso who bitten the girl, I would be so horrified that I would apologised profusely and hoped that she would understand." she shook her head again. "Why would a child do that anyway?"

Alejandro shook his head. "I don't know. Children do push each other around, pull each other's hair, that's normal but biting." he shook his head again. "That's something different altogether. There must be something wrong with the child or the parents. You said that the woman had twins as well, perhaps the little girl is jealous of them and wants the attention of her mother." he ran his fingers through his silver hair. "Parents are meant to discipline their children when they misbehave, not ignore it, otherwise the bad behaviour continues."

Victoria nodded thoughtfully. "Did you have to discipline Diego?"

He chuckled. "On a couple of occasions I did but on the most part, he was a good child. Alfonso takes after him in that regard."

She nodded proudly. "Si he does, doesn't he?"

Alejandro nodded and smiled. "Si he does. Well, after that terrible experience, I have some pleasant news for you. We've been invited to dinner with some old friends of mine, they've travelled up from San Diego for the meeting and are staying at Senora's Torres guesthouse, which apparently boasts the best meals in Santa Paula."

She smiled. "Oh that's wonderful, Senora Torres does have a wonderful reputation for her meals. But what about Alfonso?"

He nodded once more. "Miguel has promised to have someone here to look after him while we are gone."

They had a wonderful evening with Alejandro's friends at Senora Torres restaurant, the food lived up to its well deserved reputation. At the same time they were having dinner, there was a wedding party at the guesthouse and the celebration flowed over into the restaurant and surrounding area. The musicians played the popular dances and Alejandro even managed to get an embarrassed but thrilled Victoria up for a number of dances. She didn't think it was right to intrude into their party but the bride and groom's families were pleased that others were enjoying their celebration.

Afterwards they arrived back at Miguel's tavern and thanked the young girl who had stayed with Alfonso and retired to their room. It was now that both of them began to feel a little anxious about their sleeping arrangements. Alejandro went outside to the lavatory to allow Victoria to change into her nightshirt in private. After she had changed, she moved the sleeping Alfonso from the bed to the small lounge, she knew that the lounge would not be large enough for Alejandro; he would not be able to lay down on it. So she made another decision and she was uneasy about it. The bed was certainly large enough for both of them, but she hadn't shared a bed with a man since that one night with Diego.

She had climbed into the bed just as Alejandro returned to the room. He didn't look in her direction but saw his grandson on the lounge, sound asleep. "Victoria, would you like me to move Alfonso in with you."

She sighed. "Alejandro, its okay, leave him, he's asleep."

Alejandro kept his back to Victoria to give her some privacy. "Don't worry, he wouldn't wake up even if a whole garrison of lancers marched through the room. You did have an eventful day."

Victoria chuckled. "Yes, we did." she paused then continued. "Alejandro, you know that you won't be able to fit on that lounge and even if you could, it wouldn't be comfortable."

This time Alejandro turned and faced her, saw her sitting up in bed with a wrap around her shoulders. "It will be okay, I've slept in worse places during my time in the military."

Victoria shook her head, now she knew where Diego got his stubbornness from. "Don't be ridiculous. This bed is large enough for the both of us."

He had to hide a smile at her exasperation, in almost four years of marriage, he had seen her temper on several occasions, sometimes aimed at himself, sometimes at Felipe, but it was usually because they deserved it. He knew that the lounge was indeed too small for him and the bed was large and it did look comfortable. He sighed, it was only for one night. "If you're sure Victoria..."

She nodded. "Si, it would be silly for you to sleep on that small lounge, when there is this large bed."

He nodded. "Gracias." As he crossed the room to his bag and pulled out his nightshirt, he glanced over at her but she had laid down on her side, her back to him. He felt uncomfortable as he changed his clothes; it had been some time since he shared a room, let alone a bed with a woman. He quickly changed and got into bed.

Victoria had turned her back to give him privacy. As he changed, she heard the rustle of his clothes and felt uneasy. He was her husband and although he had kept his promise and had never touched her since their marriage, he could by law, expect his rights. As she felt the bed move, she kept her eyes on her son, asleep on the lounge, her heart pounding.

"Would you like me to douse the candle?" he asked quietly.

"Si, unless you want to read or something." her voice was a little strained.

"No, I'm rather tired." he replied, his heart went out to her, it wasn't easy for her either. He reached out, blew the candle out, and settled down on his side, his back to her. "Goodnight Victoria."

"Goodnight Alejandro."

It took them both some time to get off to sleep.

Victoria was having a pleasant dream, it was a time when she was younger, playing outside with her brothers, her parents watching over them with proud smiles on their faces, when suddenly her eyes flew open and was immediately aware of a hand resting lightly on her breast. She stiffened, and then relaxed slightly, when she heard Alejandro's soft snores. He was still asleep. She let out a breath that she didn't know that she had been holding.

She had noticed that somehow in their sleep, they had moved closer together. Although she was still on her side, Alejandro had turned over, his arm flung casually over her, his hand rested lightly on her breast. She saw faint light coming through the curtain and knew it was just after dawn. She moved slightly, to get away from under his arm. She had enough room to shift over to but Alejandro muttered in his sleep and to her shock, he moved even closer to her, his hand holding onto her breast tighten slightly.

It was then, that her hand flew to her mouth to stop her from crying out in horror, as she felt his hardness pressing against her back. "Madre de dios." her mind screamed. "No!"

Alejandro was having a wonderful dream; he was with his dearest Felicidad and it was at the time when she had told him that she was expecting their first child. He was overwhelmed by the news and had pulled her into his arms to kiss her. But suddenly he woke and was immediately aware of three things. First, that he was aroused, second there was softness under his hand, and lastly Victoria was trembling, not in desire but in terror.

"MADRE DE DIOS!" he cried out and scrambled away from Victoria. "I'm sorry, please forgive me. Forgive me." He sat on the edge of the bed, trembling with shock. He couldn't believe that he had taken advantage of her like that. "I'm so sorry Victoria, so sorry."

She sat up. "Alejandro, please, it's okay." she saw his anguish at his actions and wanted to help him.

He shook his head. "No, it's not okay." he was mortified that he had been aroused and she had felt it. He had seen how pale she had become, what must she be thinking, that he was going to take her there and then? "Madre de dios." he muttered again.

She didn't know what to do or how to help him in his obvious distress. "Alejandro, please, there's nothing to forgive, you were asleep...you didn't know what you were doing." she tried to reassure him.

"That's no excuse." He stood up, grabbed his clothes with trembling hands and quickly dressed. "I'll see if Miguel is up yet and arrange for breakfast. I'm sorry." he said one last time and left the room.

Victoria sighed, she was getting over her shock. What she had told Alejandro was true, he had been asleep and she didn't blame him. She would not have said anything if it had only been his hand on her breast but when she felt his arousal, she had panicked. He had promised her that their marriage would be one of convenience. And he had kept his word. But did he desire her? Did he want to take her to his bed? He had every right to do so, she thought to herself. She didn't know what to do now, how to act.

Alejandro was ashamed of his actions, embarrassed by his body's reaction. "Madre de Dios, she was engaged to my son, is the mother of my grandson and is young enough to be my own flesh and blood, I see her as a daughter. How could I have done this?" he muttered to himself. He knew that he had been dreaming about Felicidad but then in his dream she had turned into Victoria and it was her that he had kissed. And when he woke he had been touching Victoria, something which he had promised not to do, for their marriage was one of convenience, to ensure his grandson had his rightful name and to give Victoria, as an unwed mother, respectability. He knew that had no control over his actions while asleep but it didn't make it any easier to handle his shame and guilt.

The ride back home later that morning was in uncomfortable silence, which was only broken by Alfonso's lively chatter. Victoria had tried to ease his guilt to let him know that it was okay but Alejandro would only nod. She may have forgiven him but he couldn't forgive himself.

Felipe was in the small office, working on the ranch's stock ledgers when his grandfather and Victoria arrived home. Over the last year he had taken on more responsibility and with the blessing of his grandfather, he had been given the task of keeping their stock records up to date. It was now his responsibility to ensure all new stock was entered into the books, any new calves and foals had the correct pedigree listed. The de la Vega's horses and cattle were well known for their bloodlines and it was a matter of honour for Alejandro that any stock he sold or was used as stud, was exactly what the papers describe it. It was one of the many reasons why the de la Vegas were well-respected, their word was their bond. Alejandro had instilled this in his grandson and Felipe had taken it to heart.

But when his grandfather and Victoria arrived home from the meeting, he couldn't help but notice the tension between them and he wondered if they have had an argument and what it had been about. He shook his head; he had never seen them quarrel before, only small difference of opinions, which his grandfather usually gave in to her. His grandfather wasn't the only one who gave into her, he mused. He too occasionally gave into her, whenever her still feisty temper rose. He realised with a grin, that Victoria had both of them wrapped around her little finger.