Zorro Meets his Match
Chapter 14 – The Wedding
Zorro danced nimbly out of the way as he faced another with a sword. Boudica faced him crossing swords as he watched her moving. She lunged. He sidestepped and tucked his blade up under her chin.
"Blade up little one." He purred at her playfully.
She swung her blade about and he blocked it laughing a little. She swung about crouching. She went at him aggressively. He smiled ducking as she swiped the blade over his head. He stood sharply and knocked her hand, sending the weapon across the flagstones.
They ran for the blade. He reached it seconds before her, boot clapping it down so she could not raise it. He flicked his wrist and held it to her throat. She looked up at him panting.
"Never let your emotions get to you." He said standing on her weapon. He made a tsk-tsk sound with his tongue, wagging a finger at her as he lifted his blade, bringing her to her height. He smiled more. "Do you know something?"
"What?" She asked.
"You are very pretty when you are angry." He beamed at her. He stepped to her and looked down at her. He bent his head and kissed her softly and then ducked away. "A pleasure as always, Senorita. Until next time." He said and was off, cape following him into the shadows like smoke.
Boudica watched him go and then sighed touching her mouth softly.
ZzZ
Boudica took a breath as she woke.
Puma walked to her side as she sighed. She was three days from being married and was dreaming about another man other than the one she was going to marry. That was hardly fair to Diego who was charming, dashing, but in all different ways than Zorro.
She loved Diego with her very soul, but there was something deliciously tempting and interesting about Zorro, the fox who was wild and free, the night avenger who fight for justice and freedoms of the people of the region.
Bo sighed and caressed the fur of f her ever growing pet. He ate meat now, which she fed him twice a day and gave him bones to pacify him. He was growing each day. His eyes had turned from blue to brown. Now at more than five months he was looking more like an adult only smaller and he still had a few spots.
Around his neck was the collar that Alejandro had given to Bo as a present with Puma's name engraved on the tag as a final showing of his acceptance of the large cat in their lives. Puma was well enough behaved, though he did occasionally scare the maids.
Ellie had been cornered by him once, but only because she could not figure out how to move around him without crawling over the top of him. Robbie enjoyed helping Bo feed the ever-growing cat.
For now he purred as she caressed his chin. "My big boy." She praised.
She rose to her feet. There was a knock. Buena came in with Ellie holding on to her shoulders. Today would be the dress rehearsal for the wedding followed by a meal for the major people of the wedding party. The wedding itself was in three days and would like be the affair of the century for los Angeles. Don Diego was making sure that it would be an affair everyone would remember, much to the chagrin of the bride and groom, who seemed to be much along for the ride for the whims of a father who seemed to have more ideas than most mothers of brides.
More than once, Diego had discussed eloping with Bo to Monterey, San Francisco, or anywhere really to escape the whims of his father. Bo seemed more patient to what his father wanted, but even her patience was wearing thin.
They had seen the Chang family to San Pedro harbor only three days ago. An had recovered enough to travel according to the doctor and the baby was strong as well. They would sail for China, but promised to write to Bo and tell them of their progress back in their homeland.
That left Ellie, Robbie, and the dwarf, Marion, as he was called, though he went by James. At Diego's instruction, Benito had taken James under his wing to teach him to be a Vaquero. James had a surprising natural talent for it despite his size.
Bo allowed Buena and Ellie to help her dress and then sat as Ellie brushed her hair. Ellie had a rather amazing talent to make the complex hair styles that were common for the women of the area. When she was ready she walked out to the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Puma came out and stretched. He seemed to at least tolerate her maids and made no moves towards them.
Bo then walked to the kitchen with Puma beside her to feed him breakfast and see to her own. Alejandro was eating breakfast when he noted Bo walking in with a bowl of fresh cut meat for Puma.
"Good morning my dear." He said. "How did you sleep?"
"Well enough, father." She said.
He smiled. "Good."
Bo set the food bowl down and Puma began to eat. Bo herself took some tortillas and eggs. She sipped tea.
ZzZ
That evening when she was making ready to go for the rehearsal, Diego came to her room. He did not bother to knock, he stepped in. He was wearing his blue jacket with gold braiding, matching pants, a gold shirt, a red cravat, and a red thick tie at his waist. He looked rather dashing as Bo looked up from Ellie seeing to her hair.
"Ah, Ellie. Can I speak with Boudica a moment?" He asked politely.
Ellie smiled and nodded, climbing down in her rather interesting way and making her way to her small cart she uses to get around. She had two, one for the upper floor and one for the lower. Diego nodded to her as she walked out, leaving him with just Boudica and Puma who was lying on the bed watching them, his tail moving a little in contentment. Soon that tail would be more than a meter long and he would stand more than nine feet tall on his hind legs. Walking he would come to Bo's waist. He already was above her knees.
Diego sighed. "How are you holding up?" He asked.
"Well enough." She smiled.
He sighed and then there was a commotion outside. Diego opened the door and Buena ran in holding a lovely dress of blue and cream. She was sobbing as Bo came to her. "What is it?" Bo asked.
"Your dress Senorita. Teresa was ironing it and the iron was too hot." She lifted it showing the burn marks. Bo gasped and then looked at Diego who seemed torn between concern and amusement.
Bo looked at Buena. "It's all right. We will find something else."
Buena left and Bo looked at Diego as he tried to hide his smile.
"It is bad luck to see the bride's dress before her wedding."
Diego looked at her. "It isn't too late. We can still elope." He offered.
She slapped his arm and then giggled playfully. "Diego." She said. "We can't. Father would be so disappointed."
"Admit it, it might be fun." He said.
ZzZ
The rehearsal went well enough. Though, Sargent Garcia, who stood in as best man, had forgotten to keep track of the ring. After some searching, Bernardo found it on the floor where it had fallen from the Sargent's pocket. He promised to keep it safe for the real thing.
Bo smiled at Ellie who was her second. Ellie had her ring on a thong about her neck. The legless woman had been given a stool and Bernardo had carried her down the aisle, being the second man for Diego, and placed her upon it gently. This seemed to startle some of the group, but Diego blandly ignored the whispers. Bo's other bridesmaid was Buena who stood behind Ellie, watching, curious having never been to a Spanish wedding before.
The dinner after was not as great. Much of the food had burned due to the cooks not taking into account the heat. It was too hot to eat inside, but there was a breeze that was throwing sand into the food as well.
By the end, Diego and Bo were eating from one plate, ducked into a doorway, both of them huddled to keep as much sand off as they could.
ZzZ
The day before the wedding the de la Vega's had a very important guest. Leonar, daughter of the governor had come. She had brought the apologies of her father for not attending, but she hoped that having her there would be welcome enough. She had an escort of some four men, a Capitan Arellano served as the leader of her escort.
Bo instantly became a fast friend of the young woman and they spoke together as the men looked on. Bo even offered a room at the hacienda for the lovely woman so she would not have to deal with the many guests that had come and packed the hotel in the pueblo.
Leonar seemed grateful for this and had welcomed the quiet dinner with the de la Vegas.
ZzZ
The day of the wedding had come.
Bo was to arrive by a different carriage than her husband. However, the carriage lost control when a rattlesnake caused a mule to shy away. James, the driver, was able to control them after a couple miles, but Bo had been tossed about a little.
At the church, Ellie swung into action, literally. She swung and held on to Bo's shoulders as they quickly found a chapel to get Bo in at least some semblance of order. The groom and guests knew she had arrived, but she did not appear.
Bo finally was able to get her veil down over her face. Her Manilla held the veil as it hung down her back as well. The dress, made new, was blue with silver braiding. In her shoe was a coin for something borrowed. Her dress had blue. And for something old, she wore the same veil that Diego's mother had worn for her wedding day. That choice was not lost on Alejandro.
Bernardo collected Ellie and brought her to the front and placed her on her stool. The guests seemed started by this, but Ellie smiled at Diego. He nodded back. He had been feeling a little ill and getting cold feet. Not having her there, had not helped him.
She moved quickly to the aisle where Alejandro stood. He looked at her. "It is nearly sundown, my child. What kept you?"
She sighed and let him lead her down the aisle as everyone stood to either side watching. "The carriage almost over turned."
He looked at her startled and then noticed the bruising starting on her left arm he held. He took a breath and nodded.
He placed her small hand in Diego's as the priest stepped forward. "Who gives this woman to this man?"
"I do." Alejandro said firmly. "I am her guardian by law and I give my permission to wed Diego de le Vega or her own free will."
The priest nodded and continued as Alejandro went to stand in the front row. The ceremony went well, though was long in several parts, much of it was where the parts spoken were in Latin. Diego understood about half of it, but just smiled, watching his future bride.
At the time for the rings, Garcia had the one for her and Ellie had the one for her friend and mistress.
Diego took the ring from Garcia. The thin band of gold with a sapphire in the center. The stone has been his mother's in her wedding ring to his father, but the ring had been too large for Boudica's slender fingers.
The priest spoke and Diego repeated. "Boudica, I choose you, above all others to be my wife. I offer you this ring as token of our love and with it I join my life to yours." He then tenderly slipped the small ring onto the ring finger of her left hand.
She smiled as she turned to Ellie. Ellie yanked the thong from around her neck and handed Bo the ring. Bo spoke before the priest could, startling both him and the groom, but they stayed silent as she spoke her words as she lifted Diego's large hand in her own. "I will share my joy with you, Diego, that it be multiplied. I will share your pain that it be divided. I will walk at your side as we travel together through life's changes." She smiled then, he could see through the lace. "I will sleep in your arms and that love shall be my home."
He beamed as she slipped the ring onto his own hand, a band of solid gold. Simple, but elegant on his finger.
The priest spoke more about the importance of fidelity in a marriage and that such would bear fruit.
The priest then took a breath. "Now take her hands in yours and speak your vows."
Diego smiled as she turned fully to him. He took both her hands, his finger softly caressing the ring he had given her as he saw Ellie wiping a tear from her eyes behind his bride.
"I, Diego Michael de la Vega, take you, Boudica KaiAnna for my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, until death do us part."
Boudica smiled under her veil at him. She took a breath. "I, Boudica Cyana Heceta, take you Diego de le Vega, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and obey you, /I will love you all the days of my life until we are no more."
The priest nodded. "You have declared you consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with blessings. What God has joined, let no man put asunder. Amen."
Everyone in the church crossed themselves.
The priest then beamed at Diego. "You may kiss your bride, Diego."
Diego smiled and lifted the veil to reveal Bo finally fully to him. Her chest was going up and down as she panted a little in excitement as she smiled up at him. He bent to her, lifting her chin with his finger, kissing her lightly. He pulled back and beamed as the church became deafening with the sound of clapping and cheers.
They walked down the aisle, Bo's hand on his elbow. Ellie was picked up by Bernardo who smiled at her and walked out. Last was Garcia and Buena who smiled shyly at the large officer.
Outside, Diego helped his new wife into the carriage as everyone came out cheering still, tossing flower petals at them. Diego drove out of town. Everyone would be coming to the hacienda soon for food, dancing, and music.
A mile outside of town, Bo wilted. She had on a high collared dress on. She dropped back against Diego as her adrenaline wore out. He caught her against him and looked her over. She had just fainted. Hw had the horses come to a halt near a small creek. It was shady and cooler. He lifted her in his arms and hopped down. He carried her to the water's edge. The beach was made of small pebbles not sand. He dipped his hand into the cool water and pressed it to her brow. She wasn't warm really, just had been trying too hard to make the day perfect.
And there was much of it to go.
He undid the collar to allow her to breathe better. She came to with a start as he continued to wet her brow, but her husband held her steady. "Be easy." He murmured.
She smiled up at him. "I am such a handful for you."
He smiled and bent to kiss her. "Perhaps." He helped her sit up, letting her lean on him. "Are you well Senora de la Vega?" He asked as he caressed her back.
She gasped. That was her name now. Donna Senora Boudica de la Vega.
"Yes." She said.
He lifted her back to the carriage and they made their way to the hacienda. They arrived first and went to the kitchen. They would get little to no food otherwise. So they ate now so as to have a full meal and keep their strength for the marathon to come. After Bo went to her room to see to Puma. She also changed into a less restrictive dress to dance in. Diego stood by the door, sipping wine, watching as the guests arrived.
She came out and he bent to her. "Are you ready for this?" He asked.
She blinked and shook her head. "As ready as I will be."
He nodded and took her hand. They walked down the stairs to greet those arriving. Soon Leonar and Capitan Arellano arrived and Bo quickly grabbed her new friend to speak with her as they went to get refreshments.
"Your wife is a beauty." Arellano said to Diego.
"Si." Diego agreed.
The evening was delightful. Bo danced with Diego, Alejandro, Arellano, Corporal Reyes, and even Sargent Garcia. Diego, when not dancing with his wife danced with Leonar and a couple others who had been wallflowers who were surprised the handsome groom himself asked for a dance from them.
It was past midnight and the party was still going on, though many of the guests were sitting, listening to the music being played, drinking wine, and talking. Boudica was sitting with Ellie. Robbie was fast asleep against her. Leonar had smiled at the picture. She had first been unsure of the two servants, but after Bo had introduced them, she found Ellie to be quite pleasant. Bernardo came and lifted the boy in his arms. He then ducked down so that Ellie could wrap her arms about his neck and he carried both into the hacienda to here the servant quarters were.
Bo herself found herself yawning. Diego took notice and then collected her, saying his goodbyes to the guests. He beamed as he lifted her in his arms and carried her up toward his room. Several men jeered about this, but were ignored. Diego opened the door with his foot and stepped across the threshold. He set her down and then turned, waving at the crowd before disappearing into the room.
Bo was there, looking at herself in the mirror as he locked the door and stepped out of his shoes. She already had done so, her small feet were like an elf next to his own. He came to her, kissing her shoulder and then her neck as he caressed her arms. "I love you." He murmured looking at them both in the mirror.
She smiled as his hands moved to her clothing. The dress fell to her hips and she turned kissing him fully as they worked on his own clothing together. He then reached out and pushed her dress down over her hips, leaving it and her under things in a pool at her feet. His hands found her thick hair, which he gently tossed the mantilla and the antique lace to the side into a chair. The hand then moved and found her soft warm buttock as he walked them backwards.
Her small hands went to his sash undoing it and letting it drop to the floor and then she went to his pants. She smiled as he moved to help her a little. He then bent, lifting her in his arms and lying her down on he bed.
He meant to take his time as he bent kissing her breasts and licking the tattoo playfully, but his new wife was having none of it. She reached down and took hold of him. He gasped in surprise as she fondled him in a way he had taught her. She then moved her legs and put him to her. She looked up at him, eyes almost violet in the low light, as she bucked upwards, pulling him down, joining them.
He chuckled a little and kissed her. "I was trying to pleasure you, my darling, but you appear to have other plans."
She smiled up at him and moved her hips. He moaned and moved then hard in her. Her small hand moved to his buttock, encouraging him as he thrust into her. All the need of being without her for a month was coming out.
Bo let out a startled gasp as he felt her tight on him and her body arched to meet him. He continued, finding his own peak before he collapsed on her. He used his elbows to keep his weight light, though he remained belly to belly with her, inside her.
He looked at her and smiled as she panted against him. He cupped her cheek as he mentally promised that now that they had consummated the marriage as required by law to make it legal, he would see to her pleasure in later encounters.
He moved to the side, lying on his back. She smiled at him as she touched his face. "I love you Diego."
He took her hands in his, holding it as he kissed it tenderly. He then sat up, after he had caught his breath and rose to look for his pen knife he kept in his small desk. Boudica watched as her husband proudly and unabashedly walked around the room nude.
He returned to her holding the knife. She looked at him curiously as he sat down. He used the tip to make a small exact cut on his forearm. As the blood welled, he rolled his arm and let it drip to the white sheets near where Boudica was lying.
She sat up. "Diego?" She asked as he cupped his forearm to stem the flow.
He smiled at his wife. "It will keep tongues from wagging."
She blinked at him. He smiled more and bent to kiss her. She shook her head and reached for a cloth. She took his arm and put it on her knee. She pressed her lips to the small wound and then licked the blood away before wrapping the small bandage about it. Diego watched, allowing her to do so.
She looked up at him. "Why did you do that?" She asked looking at the blood stain marring the starched sheets.
"Do you remember our first time?" He asked.
"Yes."
"You bled then after I took your maidenhead." He nodded to the stain.
She then nodded in understanding. He had made it so if any asked if she had been a virgin this night, there was evidence to show she had been. It kept her reputation intact.
She leaned to him, kissing him. "I cannot believe we are finally married. It really doesn't feel any different." She said after pulling back from him.
He chuckled. "Other than you are now officially the mistress of the de la Vega estate. You are now Donna Boudica and no longer a Senorita." He say back against the tall foot board, pulling her to him, his hands going to her buttocks as she sat in his lap.
She looked at him as he held her, caressing the flesh gently. "Husband?"
"Hummm. I love that on your lips." He said before he joined them again, rocking her against him as she took hold of the wood to either side of his head as his head bent to suck a breast into his mouth.
"Diego…" She whimpered.
He just smiled as he continued.
ZzZ
They did not come out of their room for two days. Alejandro was more than happy to allow them their peace in order to work on the task of giving him a grandchild.
Diego had summoned Ellie and Buena to the room after he dressed. Buena set about helping Boudica dress. Bo was somewhat tender from the amount of love making she had done. The servants had noted the heady smell of sex of the room as they opened the windows to allow the light in as well as a breeze.
Ellie was seeing to Bo's hair as she sat before the mirror. Diego stood to one side, smoking a cigar, watching the production of a woman getting ready. He knew full well that Bo could dress in almost less time than it took him, but the servants seemed to want to make the new Donna de la Vega look perfect.
Buena saw to the sheets and smiled a little as she saw the blood stain on the white. Diego met her gaze and smiled thoughtfully as she piled the sheets and changed them with some she had brought. She then left with a smile at the Patron.
Bo looked at her husband and lifted her hand. He took it and kissed her fingers tenderly as he stepped to her. His hand went to her belly and he smiled at her. He too hoped a baby would come soon. He had an odd restlessness in his limbs from the encounters.
When they finally immerged, they both were starving, but looking immaculate. Diego led the way to the dining room. Leonar was there with Alejandro. They both smiled at the newlyweds as they sat down joining them.
The group spoke pleasantries and then Leonar had to bid them farewell. Bo promised to write to her new friend and also begged her to come visit soon. Leonar promised and also offered the governor's home should the de la Vegas visit Monterey.
Bo told her friend goodbye and waved as Diego stood beside her watching her go. "Velocidad de Dios." Diego said to the party as they road toward the north on the king's road.
Alejandro smiled then at the pair. "So what do you two have planned? It is the start of your honeymoon after all."
Bo smiled and shrugged. "I am not sure, father. I could be happy staying here."
Alejandro shook his head. "Oh no you don't." He said. "You two are going to have a honeymoon."
She lifted her hands and went to see Puma who was sunning himself on the stairway.
Diego chuckled. "So worried about us not being alone, father?" He smiled at his wife. "I was planning to take her to Santa Barbara. The coast air will do Bo some good. Rides on the beach. Relaxing swims in the ocean…"
Alejandro took a breath and shook his head.
Diego leaned to him. "If it is grandchildren you are worried about, father, we have made progress on that front. Now it just needs to take."
Alejandro beamed and clapped his back. "Good my son."
Boudica looked back and the men smiled and waved at her. She rolled her eyes and moved to fetch the cat some breakfast. He got up, stretched, and moved to follow her.
Bo giggled over her shoulder as the two de la Vega men watched her.
Alejandro shook his head. "An they say Zorro is a fox."
"Indeed, that one is definitely a vixen, no?" Diego agreed.
They both laughed.