Chapter 10

The following day, Diego, along with his father and Felipe rode into Los Angeles. It seemed to Diego that all the citizens were in the plaza, all waiting for Gomez to take Senorita Martinez back to Santa Barbara.

His father was thinking the same thing. "They have come to see Senorita Martinez being sent back to Santa Barbara." Don Alejandro uttered.

Diego nodded. "Si, they have." he replied somewhat distractedly. He had been thinking about both Victoria and Isabella. Why did he have this strange attraction to Isabella, when he was in love with Victoria? What was it about Isabella that had attracted him? Well, there was her beauty, she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen or had meet, and he had seen many beautiful women during the time he had been spent in Madrid. But Victoria too, was very beautiful, she had both an outer and inner beauty that he had found captivating.

There must be something else to it, than just her beauty, he reflected. He tried another approach, what was it that he loved about Victoria? It was her kindness, her compassion, generosity for others less fortunately then herself, her sense of fairness. She always spoke up whenever she saw injustice of any kind, regardless of any concern for her own safety, which, on several occasions, had ended up in a prison cell for her outspokenness. Of her independence, of her courage in taking over the tavern after her mother had died, which had forced her to grow up into adulthood sooner than she should have been.

Then it dawned on him. Isabella had that same courage to do what she had been forced to, regardless that it would end in her own demise, she had that same spirit, that same love of life that Victoria had. He shook his head in disbelief, he felt attracted to Isabella because she had reminded him of Victoria. They had the same spirit, both were independent and strong willed women, neither afraid to voice their opinions.

Then he thought about Zafira, she too had a similar spirit, she fought against Spanish rule in her own way. He realised that he was attracted to that kind of woman, spirited, courageous, not afraid of speaking out against injustice, compassionate. It matched his temperament perfectly. He couldn't imagine being married to someone of a quieter nature, he wanted someone to have lively discussions with, not someone who would always agree with him. And that someone was Victoria.

Don Alejandro looked worriedly across at his son. For the first time since he returned from Madrid, he had seen his son attracted to a senorita and that the beautiful woman had returned his affections but now to find that she was in fact a thief, would be a blow to any man's pride. He hoped that he would be able to recover from this devastation, that he wouldn't be put off women for the rest of his life. He just wanted his son to find that special senorita to share his life with, as he had done with his beloved Felicidad.

They rode in silence and hitched their horses to the railings outside the tavern.

Victoria saw them enter her tavern, and they made their way to one of the tables. She walked up to them. "Buenos Dias gentlemen."

"Buenos Dias Victoria." both Diego and his father said together.

"You are busy again today." Diego said.

"Si Diego, but I don't think they are here for my cooking."

"Well, they don't know what they are missing then." Diego smiled at her.

Victoria felt pleased at his compliment as she took their orders.

Diego knew that he would have to be very careful today. He knew that the Alcalde was planning to capture Zorro, believing that he would show up to rescue the senorita. But both Isabella and he knew that Zorro won't come. He also knew that although Isabella would never tell anyone about Zorro's identity, there was no guarantee that de Soto or even Gomez wouldn't come up with the idea that she knew the name of Zorro. There would be no telling what they would do to obtain the information from her. The thought made him shudder. That was one of the reasons why he hasn't told Victoria the truth, the idea of any harm coming to her, made him sick in his stomach.

Just after they had finished their meal, a loud commotion came from outside the tavern. Diego and his father looked at each other, rose and went outside, along with everyone else. They watched as a coach pulled up outside the cuartel and by the design of it, it had been built especially for transporting criminals, with bars instead of windows.

Gomez appeared with Isabella behind him, her hands were bound in front of her. Isabella smiled widely, for she knew that it was her best feature. She was putting on a brave show but on the inside she was afraid. She looked around until she met those piercing blue eyes, which were full of compassion and regret. Then she had an idea.

Diego watched her, wishing he could help her. Then he saw that familiar look of mischief in her eyes and despite himself, he grinned. She was up to something, he thought as he stood off to the side on his own.

"Wait." she called out.

"What is it senorita?" Gomez said crossly; they should have left hours ago but there had been an unknown delay with the coach.

"Can I at least say goodbye to my friends." she pleaded.

de Soto snorted. "You mean de la Vega?"

Isabella turned to him. "Si, he is my friend."

"A friend senorita."

Isabella ignored him as she waited for Gomez to reply.

He looked at the beautiful senorita, and wasn't unaware of her charms. And he had seen how she looked at the young man. "Oh very well, but make it quick."

Diego watched as Isabella walked up to him, her green eyes sparkled with mischief. He was aware of everyone watching them, including his father and Victoria.

She stopped in front of him, smiled, and saw his blue eyes dancing with amusement. "Well Diego, lets give them something to remember, shall we." she whispered.

"What do you suggest Isabella?" he replied, his voice soft.

They eyes held.

"Diego, you know how I feel about you and I won't ever see you again, so I was wondering if we could...if you..."

He nodded. "I understand Isabella." He whispered back, saw the invitation in her eyes. He reached out his hand and gently caressed her face.

Several people gasped at the sight of the young Don, caressing the beautiful senorita's face intimately.

Diego and Isabella heard the gasp but ignored it. They stepped closer together as Isabella brought her bound hands against his chest. He moved his hand through her hair and gently held the back of her neck as he leant forward and pressed his lips against hers.

This time there was a collective intake of breath from everyone in the plaza.

Diego didn't hear as he pulled Isabella against him. She slowly moved her lips over his in a gentle and tender kiss. Her tongue gently darted along his lips, waiting, hoping. He knew what she wanted and even though he didn't want to deepen the kiss, he also knew they would never meet again. He would do at least this one thing for her. So he parted his lips, and their tongues merged together in a gentle caress.

Isabella sighed softly as she deepened the kiss even further.

"Diego de la Vega!" Don Alejandro was shocked at the very public display of his son kissing a woman so passionately. It wasn't considered good manners to conduct such behaviour in public. But he felt strangely pleased at the same time, his son was finally DOING something, just not what he had expected.

Victoria's mouth dropped open at the sight of her best friend kissing. She was dumbfounded, she had no idea that Diego could kiss like that. And it looked like he was enjoying it. Isabella was most definitely enjoying his kiss. She found herself clinching her fists, her fingernails dug into her palms, her heart pounded, a large knot gripped her stomach. She did not understand why she felt this way, why she should feel so upset at seeing her friend kissing. It was not as if he meant anything to her, other than as a brother, she thought to herself.

Don Alejandro moved to the couple, placed his hand on his son's shoulders. "Diego, I think that's enough." he said softly.

Diego pulled back from Isabella, they looked at each other, both a little breathless. Neither had expected the kiss to develop like that.

Isabella felt guilty as it was her that took it to the next level, because of her feelings for him. "I'm sorry Diego." she whispered "I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay Isabella." he panted. "I understand."

She nodded. "At least that will make people take more notice of you, as yourself that is. Perhaps make someone more jealous." she added cryptically.

Before Diego could work out what she meant, a loud voice called out. "Alright senorita, get in the coach, now." Gomez shouted.

"Make sure HE forgives any hurt she may have caused him." Isabella looked him directly in his eyes.

Diego understood. "I will make sure that he does. Goodbye Isabella Martinez."

"Goodbye Diego de la Vega. I will never forget you."

"Neither will I."

Isabella turned and walked up to the coach, stepped inside. Gomez locked the door behind her, then he mounted his horse and led the way out of the pueblo, the coach driver urging his horse on.

Diego watched them go, and he felt his father's hand on his shoulder again. "Come on son, let's go home."

He nodded as he allowed his father to lead them to their horses. The crowd slowly dispersed as they watched the de la Vegas ride away.

No-one noticed the lone rider, leading a black mare away from behind the stables.