The ride home to the de la Vega hacienda was quiet and subdued.

"Diego," Alejandro said softly after a while. "You didn't have to snub Destara, you know."

"Didn't I?" Diego said, quietly.

"He is connected to almost everyone in the territory either by bloodline or by the friendship of relatives. He is an outstanding young man. He has offered no harm to the pueblo. The alcalde is annoyed because he has been tossed on his ear, no other reason."

"I have written to the governor about the alcalde's misfortunes," Diego replied.

"You'd support the alcalde over the Capitan? I really don't know what is going on with you, my son."

Diego stared out at the dark landscape, knowing every shadow of every rock and bush by heart. His father had no idea of Max Destara and his history. Leopards seldom changed their spots, and he doubted Destara had even tried.

Destara was a man who loved pomp and ceremony and pushed his weight around when he could. Diego had no doubt he had seen the alcalde's weakness to superior officers and his fawning subservient manner when dealing with people more prominent than himself. That was why he had communicated his doubts over the alcalde's eviction personally with the governor. The satisfaction of seeing Destara's plans come to nothing even regarding the location of his base of operations would be nice.

Destara would use people as pawns to get what he wanted. He was liable to play with people and their emotions for his own amusement. Seeing that Diego lived in the area he was presently based in must have filled him with such excitement. They had come to blows in Madrid numerous times, the university threatening expulsion at one time, if they didn't control themselves.

"I do know Destara better than everyone else here, Father," Diego said after a moment. "He was at Madrid University at the same time I was."

"You were rivals for some girl's affections? That's hardly a hanging offence," Alejandro said, after he got over the surprise. "Diego?"

"It doesn't matter, father. It was a long time ago. No doubt the man has matured since then," Diego said doubtfully.

Alejandro sighed, and realised he had lost another chance to get to know his son a little better. Diego had opened up a little, and the slight ridicule in his father's voice had discouraged anything further.

Zzz

Felipe was excited when Diego finally visited him during siesta. Stefano was sleeping, and they didn't wish to wake him. Felipe had not had time alone with Diego for many days.

"Where are we? Ah, yes. The finer points of defence…" Diego began, picking up the fencing textbook and leafing through pages. Felipe picked up a cushion and threw it at him. Diego chuckled a little, and nodded to the library fireplace.

"There you are, Diego," Alejandro said, making Diego change from a smile to a more sober expression in seconds, hiding the book behind his back for a moment. "I'm so glad I caught you."

"Yes, father. What is it?"

"Nothing really," Alejandro said. "Just that Don Patricio has visited and is asking for you. Apparently you agreed to help him with his Chihuahuas, or whatever they are. Damned annoying creatures, if you ask me. He's outside on the patio, with his beautiful daughter, Patrice."

"I was just about to drill Felipe in his fencing, Father."

Alejandro sighed, and smiled. "I can do that. Where's the silly book?"

Diego handed it over with a sheepish grin, and sighed as well. "On the patio, did you say?"

"Serves you right for using the poor old man as cover for snubbing the Capitan," Alejandro murmured, and Diego smiled a little. His father was right of course.

Diego bowed as expected, and raised the lady's hand to his lips. She blushed and sat on one of the wicker chairs. Don Patricio was in a wheeled chair, and Diego sat as well. The don had one of his dogs on his knee, and it began to yap a little.

Diego gave it a quick glance, and then ignored it. It settled down very quickly. "Good afternoon Don Patricio. I am so pleased that you could visit us today."

Patrice gave him a gentle, but thoughtful gaze, and he flashed her a smile. "What seems to be the problem with the dogs?"

"They won't breed," the old man complained. "You know, they are some of the most stubborn creatures on the planet but they are loyal and good at their job."

"Job?"

"Hunting rats of course," Patricio said impatiently.

"Oh yes, of course." Diego said, and then shook his head, a little confused. "I don't understand what you mean?"

"Well, I must have several males and several females, it only makes sense?"

Diego nodded. The older man sounded rational so far, but Diego was waiting patiently for the conversation to turn to weird tangents very soon. He had a mild dementia, that was only getting worse by the day.

"Well…?"

"You don't know which ones are which?" Diego reasoned out loud, with a little surprise.

The don stared at him as if he was the one who had lost his mind. Then he blinked and sighed. "Could you help? I used to be very good at this."

"Of course, I will help," Diego said gently. He put all thoughts of patrols and tracking on hold for a moment. This old man had been a childhood hero to him. It was a sad thing for such an intelligent man to spiral into a childlike madness as he had. "I'll come immediately." How hard would that be to work out? There were certain differences, and obvious ones. He would be finished within moments.

He extended a hand to assist Patrice to her feet. She seemed to be regarding him with badly disguised adoration and he realised why his father had approached him with such a smile on his face. He smiled at her, and easily navigated the wheeled chair to their buggy. He lifted the older man into the seat, and then the daughter, and then climbed in after them.

It took a long time to work out male and female Chihuahuas into groups. There seemed to be hundreds of dogs, and numerous puppies, that Patricio had seemingly forgotten. They had no trouble breeding at all. His groom that he had placed in charge chatted to Diego over coffee in the stables, and told him that the old don assumed things. He was good natured about it, and told Diego that he was just a little unlucky to be chosen as the new helper of the month. Don Patricio seemed to take to younger dons almost like sons. It had been like that since the death of his own son.

Diego nodded thoughtfully.

Don Patricio had stood over them and watched him check every single dog, and had not been happy with his groom's assurances that the dogs were happily breeding like mad. Diego repeated the same assurances, and the old don was relieved.

Patrice saw him to the buggy, which would take him home and then return to the estate.

"You are a very kind and gentle man, Diego. Not many men would have tolerated such an afternoon. You have a tender heart for those less fortunate."

"Not at all, Senorita. I just did what any decent caballero would do. It was an honour and a privilege to be of service," he assured her, bowing over her hand.

He knew that she closed her eyes, savouring the touch of his hand on hers. He felt her tremble slightly, and he smiled.

In the buggy he frowned as the driver drove out of the gates. If every woman he helped reacted so strongly to his presence, he would have avoid spending any time with any of them. He was slightly worried about Patrice. Her father's illness kept her isolated from a lot of people, and she obviously craved a suitor of some sort. Organising some sort of party for her would only add to more gossip, and he was busy. He wasn't sure if he could do anything for her.

He'd have to talk it over with Isabella when she returned. She would have some sort of idea.