Chapter 14
Later that day...
Victoria walked through the market, smiling at people. Last night had been wonderful and she was looking forward to seeing Diego again. The taverness was so caught up in her thoughts of last night that she accidentally bumped into Margarita, who held a piece of white lace material against her dress. "Oh, excuse me, Margarita."
"Of course, Senorita Escalante. What do you think of this fabric," Margarita held up the lacy fabric against herself.
"It is nice, Margarita but why do you ask?"
"It's a bit provincial, don't you think? It might not be to Zorro's taste. This might be more to his liking," the younger woman found a bolt of black and white striped fabric and draped it across her bosom.
Victoria stared at Margarita. The nerve of the woman..."Excuse me again, but I had no idea that you were that involved."
"My dear girl, I'm thinking of marrying him. Since you are keeping company with Don Diego, I assume that Zorro might be interested in someone younger and prettier. Oh, my guess is Zorro is tired of peasant girls. It is good that you stepped out of the way for someone who is more suited to Zorro. Someone of the same social class...Anyone can see that he is a caballero...Why would he marry a simple tavern owner? You are fortunate that Don Diego is not as class conscious as other caballeros..."
I will not respond...she is just a child...I will not respond..."Diego has not expressed interest in any of the caballero's daughters...You are not a de la Vega should something like that concern you, Margarita?"
"Don Diego should find a suitable wife for himself...Someone of his own class. In Madrid, such a relationship would not be tolerated for one tiny instant."
"Whatever Diego does is none of your business, Margarita. You should concern yourself with your own fiancée instead of abandoning him for a man that you barely even know. You have a man who loves you and cares for you...Spending time with Diego made me realize that I put Zorro on a pedestal. What do you know about him," she echoed Rafael's own words, "It may sound romantic and exciting but all that glitters is not gold. Are you willing to give up your fiancée for a fantasy?"
"I have as good a chance as any other woman, Senorita and now that you are out of the picture...It really is none of your business who Zorro chooses."
"He is my friend, Margarita and that makes it my business. You are making a fool of yourself for a man who doesn't even notice you..."
Margarita reached over and smashed a tomato from the produce stall onto Victoria's nose. The taverness wiped the juicy tomato from her face and went over to the booth to pick up a cloth to wipe her hands. Victoria picked up a nearby flan sitting nearby and smashed against the unsuspecting the younger woman's chest...
"Margarita! You are making a spectacle of yourself," Rafael grabbed his fiancée's arm while Don Alejandro held a struggling Victoria.
"Let me go this instant, Rafael."
"Senorita Escalante is a friend of the de la Vegas. You know that...Apologize to her at once."
"She should be the one apologizing to me."
"Why must you be so stubborn, Margarita? All this fighting over some insignificant bandit that you barely know. Evidently, he and Victoria are no longer an item but that does not make him fair game for you...Why must you be so childish? Perhaps, we should discuss this in private."
ZZZ
Don Alejandro led Victoria back to the tavern. Margarita's remarks upset the woman that he considered a daughter. Everyone knew that the masked man was smitten with the tavern owner...Why would she be upset by the younger woman's remarks? "Are you alright, Victoria? Surely you are not upset by what she said? Did it have something to do with Zorro, perhaps?"
"She did say something about him but it is what she said about Diego that concerns me, Don Alejandro."
"What could she have said that would upset you so much, my dear?"
"I am a simple tavern owner. Diego is so elegant...so refined. What would he see in someone like me? Maybe, he would be better off with someone else..."
"You are beautiful and intelligent, Victoria Escalante. Any man would be glad to have you as a wife."
"I appreciate your confidence, Don Alejandro but you may be a little bit...biased. You did help raise me, you know."
"My son has a mind of his own. What other people think of him is not that important to him. He would not have invited you to dinner if he had any qualms about your position in society. Such things have never mattered to a de la Vega and they never will. I think that you are well-suited for one another. Get to know one another...See what develops. I am proud of the woman that you have become, Victoria. My son could not have chosen a better woman..." I would be proud to have you as a daughter-in-law. If things turn out as I hope, he added silently.
"Gracias, Don Alejandro, " she kissed his cheek gently...I hope that you are right...