Part Fourteen: Love and Life
They reached Los Angeles in good time, having no more problems or delays after the unplanned stop at the inn. Sergeant Garcia waited to inspect the coach and inquire from each passenger their reason for being in Los Angeles. He looked surprised and pleased to see Diego accompanying the coach.
"Don Diego! Back so soon? Of course, I only just got back myself," His chest puffed with pride. "I did an honorable job of delivering the gold to you, eh, Don Diego?"
"You did indeed. How are you, Sergeant? It is good to see you again."
"But you are back so soon! You gave the indication you needed to stay in Monterey some time yet. Your father will be pleased to have you."
"Will he?" Diego asked as he dismounted. His tone was doubtful. "An old friend took charge of the gold and I came home straight away. Monterey was very fatiguing for me."
Garcia frowned at Diego's choice of words but, of course, did not say anything. "I must admit, it was very tiring for me, too. I am not cut out for such long riding. I am meant for sprints onto the battlefield, I was born to—"
"Of course, Sergeant," Diego agreed, clapping his friend on the shoulder.
Then Garcia spotted Magdalena as she descended from the coach and his smile widened as he hurried to greet her. "Senorita Montes! You have finally returned from nursing your aunt!"
"She was my father's cousin, not my aunt, but, si, I am."
"Your return will bring much excitement to our little pueblo. Are there any fiestas planned?"
"I haven't seen my father yet," Magdalena told him, "so I do not know."
"Well, if I know Don Francisco, and I do know Don Francisco, there will be a party. You must invite me. Your aunt has been teaching me how to dance. I am rather good now."
"That is wonderful, Sergeant. I will be sure to remember."
"Si." He returned delightedly, and then moved on to Juliana and Isabelle. The two had whispered thanks to Magdalena but returned to their silence after that. Because Magdalena could tell they were reticent because of timidity, and shyness, she was not insulted by their continued silence, and smiled goodbye to them. Isabelle gave a little wave, which Magdalena returned.
She walked away from the coach. Diego followed. She tried her best to ignore him as she walked to the blacksmith's, intending to rent a horse there on which to ride home. Diego followed close behind her, and sighed in amused exasperation at her intended destination.
"You do not need to get a horse here, Senorita," he said, quickening his pace to walk backwards in front of her.
She ignored him and continued on. A swarthy man came to greet her.
"I would like to rent a horse, por favor," she told him.
"Of course. The usual rate is—"
"Your best horse. Put it on my bill, Salvio," Diego said softly.
"Of course, Don Diego," he agreed.
Magdalena opened her mouth to protest but then Diego's hand came to rest on her shoulder and it shocked her into saying nothing.
A horse was brought out, led by the blacksmith's son who then held out his hand to help her on. "Go on, Eugenio," Diego told him. With just one look from Don Diego, he stepped back away from her.
Furious, Magdalena turned to tell him to come back and help her on, never mind Don Diego, but hands were around her waist and she was on the horse. "He is called Hierro," Eugenio told her. "A very fast, strong horse. You need not be gentle."
"Gracias," Magdalena told him, and he slipped away. Diego hadn't thought his plan through, though. Magdalena chirruped and galloped away, leaving him in the dust of the blacksmith's yard.
Magdalena hadn't though it through either, realizing her mistake once on the outskirts of the pueblo, and at a loss as to which way she should turn. With the curse of bad luck, no one else was around, as it was time for most to be having their afternoon siestas. She turned Hierro and rode back a bit, to where a little boy played.
"Por favor, how do you get to the Montes rancho?"
"Not by boat," was his lazy answer.
Magdalena let out a reluctant laugh. "I can guess that. Which way do you turn?"
"Don't turn into a tortuga and you'll be fine," he said, and then dashed away upon spying a raggedy dog in the distance. Two riders were coming towards Magdalena—Diego and Bernardo.
A curse choked in her throat, and she couldn't stand the thought of the look of amusement that would be on Diego's face. She turned and galloped away, as fast as Hierro would go, which meant she was almost flying. She leaned down low by Hierro's neck. The wind caught her hair. She'd only tied it with a ribbon this morning, and the ribbon blew away. Her cloak she had left on the coach, she realized with a sudden jolt. Oh well. She didn't need it.
The orange dress rippled in the wind, riding up slightly, and she stood in the stirrups and yelled with joy, feeling absolutely free and wild. She would be civilized when she reunited with her father, but now she wanted one last taste of the wild, daring sort of excitement that had urged her to join with the Eagle in the first place.
Her laughter hung behind her, caught by the wind. She rode swiftly, with no sense of where she was going, and that was how she ended up at 'one of our better sights.' It was the lake. Magdalena dismounted quickly, and walked down to the water, holding her dress up and stepping in. The water was cool, and very refreshing. She went in deeper, to her knees, then just stood there, closing her eyes and listening to the water. And the hoof beats.
She walked from the water and back to Hierro. Diego, on Torcedor, was now there, waiting for her. She refused to put her shoes on with him watching, and simply walked to Hierro and, with determination and stubbornness, struggled up onto his back. Diego had started to dismount to help her, but had noticed the look on her face, and settled back in the saddle, watching her.
"Are you meaning to go to your hacienda now?" Diego asked.
"I am."
"Just follow my lead." He started off with a light canter. Magdalena easily kept his pace but didn't speak.
Her father's hacienda finally rose in the distance. Magdalena's heart leapt in her throat at the sight of it, and she increased her speed, passing Diego.
They reached the hacienda and she jumped off Hierro and ran through the gate. Her father was on the patio, and he looked up as she ran in. A look of shock came over his face, and it was only then she realized how she must look.
Her orange dress from Captain Criado, a dress meant for fiestas, and dancing, was not so fine anymore, after wearing it all the way from Monterey, and her wild ride and sojourn into the lake just not certainly hadn't helped anything. The dress was covered in dust, and so was Magdalena, the hem was muddy and she had no shoes. Her hair was tangled and hung down her back wildly.
But her father was standing, and rushing to her, and pulling her into his arms. The embrace was firm and Francisco just kept whispering her name as he held her. "You have returned."
"Si. And that letter was not from me, please believe me when I say I did not write a word of it."
"I know," he said solemnly. "Your maid confessed to being bribed to deliver it and say that you had given it to her. But then where were you? It was too late by the time she confessed, and I had no idea where to look."
"First I was in a carriage, heading to San Pedro. I was bound and gagged. Then a ship, and Mexico City was its destination. There I was taken to the Viceroy. He had ordered my kidnapping because he feared for my safety and wanted me under his protection. The past nine months I have served as maid to his daughter Constancia."
"Maid? How dare they!"
"It was fine, father. Considering what I had done, it was an easy penance."
"Oh, what did you do? Deliver a few feathers you never knew the meaning of? You were foolish, mi querido, not wicked."
She just shook her head.
"You should wash," he announced, pulling away. "All your clothes wait upstairs. Oh, I have prayed for this day. Monique!" He called, and a servant girl came running. "Have some water start heating, for a bath. Take the tub to Magdalena's room."
"Si, Don Francisco." She looked curiously at Magdalena before she hurried away.
It was only when they had walked upstairs that Magdalena realized Diego hadn't joined her, and that Hierro was gone, presumably back to the blacksmith's.
There was indeed a fiesta, but it came only after Magdalena and her father had spent weeks together, glorious weeks of riding together, telling each other all the little things about their separate lives, and simply being together in the same room. He would be doing work in his study, and Magdalena would sit in an armchair in the background, reading or sewing as he ran his rancho.
Her father seemed to be getting healthier, stronger. He laughed loudly and often. And one day he proposed the idea of a fiesta at their hacienda, inviting everyone to come. Magdalena would be the hostess.
She accepted right away, diving into the planning of it, frequently consulting Inez, who came over often to spend time with her niece.
The night came. Magdalena dressed in a rose colored gown, with a full, sweeping skirt, a wide neckline that showed her shoulders, a cinched waist, and loose sleeves that swayed when she walked.
Magdalena was a joyful hostess, trying to talk with everyone and still have time for dancing. Her laughter and smile lit the whole patio, as she discreetly watched the gate, waiting for the de la Vegas to arrive. She hadn't seen Diego anywhere besides Mass since he had escorted her to the hacienda, and was a bit worried. Many other young caballeros came calling, all jostling for position. Even though she was still rather angry with Diego, she never encouraged her suitors, and always made it clear her heart belonged to another, which disappointed them, yes, but she felt it was much better to disappoint them now then betray them later when she ultimately chose Diego. But would Diego still choose her? She kept watching the gate.
Alejandro came. Diego didn't. She hurried to greet him, and he smiled broadly. "You host an excellent fiesta, Magdalena."
"Gracias. But where is Diego?" She tried to keep her tone steady, cursing herself for pushing him away on her first day here again, and avoiding him since.
"He pleaded a headache. I tried my best to make him come but he refused to leave his room." Alejandro's voice showed the exasperation he felt towards his son.
Magdalena smiled graciously. "Maybe he truly did not feel well."
The evening from then on, though she never let it show, fell flat for her. She continued being the perfect hostess: applauding Garcia and Inez's dancing, listening to even the dullest anecdotes the older guests told, danced with everyone she could—even Juan Fernando de la Cruz, though she kept on her toes during that dance.
She made sure to frequently rejoin Francisco, just for a few moments, to squeeze his hand and reassure herself he wasn't tiring. To be truthful, Magdalena was tiring herself, but didn't let it show, not wanting anything to spoil this for her father, who was so happy at her return and so loving and so wonderful.
The fiesta lasted long into the night. Indeed, it was morning by the time the last guests left, their goodbyes hanging in the air after them. It had been a smashing success. Magdalena let her father kiss her goodnight and hurried up the stairs to her room. Oh, she adored being home.
With details of the evening hanging in her head, Magdalena closed the door behind her and unfastened her necklace. With a sigh, she walked across the room to the balcony and stepped out, breathing in the night air. A sudden voice cut through the darkness.
"Buenos noches, Senorita Montes."
She turned around to find Zorro stepping out from behind the curtains in her room.
He tipped his head at her surprise. "I told you I had things to say, and I felt that this evening it was more important that Zorro speak to you than Diego. Apologies for not coming earlier but I had things to do."
She laughed, a rather choked sound. "Do not fret; my guests might have been rather startled by your appearance at my fiesta. It is probably best you did not go."
"You're right, at that," he shifted slightly, and she noticed that he was favoring his right arm.
"Are you all right?" She asked, nodding to his arm.
"Fine, fine. Don't think about my arm at a time like this, por favor."
"What should I think about?"
"Apologies. Remorse. I was angry that night."
"Which night?"
"Both." The word hung in the air. Zorro looked down, then back up. "I said things I didn't mean, and shouldn't have said in the first place. I really did not mean any of them. Magdalena, I didn't expect you to return that night." His tone was very serious. "When you came in with the guns and my sword, I realized how wrong I was about everything. I knew there was no room in Zorro's life for women, but you proved me wrong. I wanted so much to tell you that night but one look at your face when I caught up with you made me realize I couldn't. I hurt you deeply, twice. Forgive me."
"I have already. I've been cursing myself for pushing you that first day. I thought you were angry with me and that was why you didn't come."
"Not angry. Just busy." He got off the windowsill and winced.
"What happened?" She asked him.
"I was busy getting reacquainted with all the situations in Los Angeles," he said, his tone warning her not to ask more.
She nodded, getting up courage to say her next words. "Where do…we…go from here on?"
"Onward." He whispered, and then he slipped past her to jump over the edge of the balcony. For a moment he clung there, looking at her, then a queer smile came onto his face. "Life is odd, isn't it?" He inquired softly, and she nodded.
"I can think of nothing more strange," she returned, and he looked down at the ground, in consideration.
"It's not too late to go for a ride," he said softly. But Magdalena shook her head, a wide smile on her face.
"Come back tomorrow, as Diego. I'd rather ride with him, if you don't mind."
Zorro tipped his head, and in a few swift movements he was on his black horse. "Buenos noches." He called.
She waved as she watched him go.
Diego came early the next day, in a riding outfit. Magdalena was still in bed when Monique told her, and tried to get dressed twice as fast as she normally would, and instead was twice as slow when she kept snagging and yanking and catching on pieces of clothing in her hurry. But she finally ran down the stairs, wearing her purple riding outfit.
Diego jumped up when he saw her. He had been speaking with Francisco, who she was surprised to see up.
"Oh, good, you dressed for riding," Diego said. "Monique gave you my message then?"
"Si," she told him, and drank her father's coffee. "When are we going?"
"You should eat," Diego said. His voice was husky.
A servant girl came bearing breakfast. Diego pulled out a chair for her. "I won't leave until you do."
She ate as swiftly as she dared, afraid all the while that she would choke. She did choke, and it took minutes of hacking violently before she was fine again. Tears streamed down her face from her choking fit and she felt horribly embarrassed; her cheeks were flaming hot.
She felt like a child.
In some ways, she felt she was one again, or maybe for the first time. Nothing weighed her down now. But she felt adult enough when Diego picked her up by the waist—as much as he did it, she would never get used to the feeling—and when his hands lingered there long after she was situated.
She rode Bailarin again, and Diego was on Torcedor. They rode awhile away before she spoke. "Where are we going?"
"I was thinking we could go to the Mission at San Gabriel. It's a lovely ride, and I have business with Padre Felipe."
They rode at a leisurely pace, not hurrying or racing like before. Magdalena wasn't sure what she wanted to say, and Diego was also still deciding his words. He moved Torcedor closer.
"It's odd, but I never doubted you in one aspect—I was never afraid of what you would do with your knowledge of Zorro."
Her throat hurt, but in a good way. "Really?" She asked wistfully, the knowledge that he had trusted her that much filling her heart.
"Never once." Diego said. "I was pretty sure you knew me on the inn's balcony, and planned to speak with you the next day, but then you were gone. I was angry with you, certainly, but it never crossed my mind that you would betray me." His voice got softer. "And you didn't. You even returned to my side only moments after I called you—"
"Actually, I came back for Isabelle," she said, cutting him off, and Diego laughed aloud.
"So your motives were not purely for me."
"I never pretended them to be. Do not think me to be a perfect woman for returning."
Diego suddenly reined in Torcedor and jumped off. Magdalena also halted, bewildered. Diego came to her side and reached his arms out for her. She slid down, not knowing what to expect. His arms enfolded her as he pulled her close. "Oh, but you are perfect, right now, at any rate," he murmured into her hair and then tilted her chin up.
Magdalena dodged him, slipping from his arms. "The last time you kissed me you followed it with—"
"Many things I regret saying."
"I know you do. But I just mean, this is too soon! I don't know—"
"Don't know what?"
Magdalena fell silent. Diego waited for her to speak, and then sighed. "I'll help you back on Bailarin," he said, and she took his offer.
They continued riding until they reached the Mission at San Gabriel, where they halted and Diego dismounted, running with long-legged strides to the chapel, leaving her with the horses. Padre Felipe must not have been there; Diego came back swiftly, a slight frown on his face, which cleared when he saw her.
"Let's walk," he said, and she dismounted. They left the horses there as they strolled, down a slight hill to a pretty little stream, and next to the stream was a fallen log.
Diego gestured for her to sit, and she did, gazing up at him. "What don't you know?" He asked.
"What to do,' she whispered. "All my life I have known two choices—marry or become a spinster. And now…"
"Marriage won't be enough?" He asked, tipping his head, and she shook hers.
"No, no, it isn't that, not really. If I—if we married, what would Zorro be doing?"
Diego sat beside her. "If he was needed, he would have to ride. But other than that, he wouldn't have a place in our household."
"What exactly prompts Zorro to ride? No, don't just say injustice or tyranny."
"To right a wrong," he said softly. She shook her head. "No, personally."
"I don't know what you mean!"
"What wrongs have you righted?"
He looked confused with this line of questioning, and a bit exasperated. "I freed Nacho Torres from jail, I saved him and his family from Monastario's wrath when he was starting for Monterey. I helped peons being punished by Monastario, I—"
"What motivates you?"
"Anger, mostly. Pity, I suppose. The knowledge that I could help these people escape from tyranny and do it in a way I could not get caught, and therefore keep on doing it. I've ridden to rescue Bernardo when he was sent by Zorro to help me. I saved a waitress from the tavern when she was being kidnapped. I…pursued you the night of the fiesta to save you from Galindo's henchman."
"But Galindo didn't cut the feather."
"No, he didn't." His voice was almost inaudible.
"Why did you come to my room that night? How did you know to do so?"
"I was riding to Doctor Avila's, thinking you would still be there, and I saw your carriage by the inn. It was luck that you were in the first room I tried."
"But why did you?"
"The first time I pursued you, Bernardo was sitting in a chair, pretending to be me while Galindo, my father, Inez and Garcia were sampling the Madeira. I couldn't stay long to speak with you, and, honestly, I shouldn't have said anything, at least for his sake. But you were too close to me." He gave a rueful chuckle, looking at his hands. "The fear I felt was turning to desire and that made me angry that you still so affected me. I let that anger take over, in a way, a protection, and said things that I regretted.. So when I was back home, and all the guests were gone, I had plenty of time for a conversation with you not clouded by anger. So I rode."
Magdalena leaned into him, and he slowly put an arm around her. "I can't go back to my life in Mexico City. I need to be doing things with…with purpose. Things I feel dedicated to. All my life was there was sewing and parties and rides with eligible men. Being a wife and mother would be wonderful, but there is a lot of in between time in that life. I joined the Eagle also because I needed that excitement in my life or I would go crazy! I cannot, must not go back to that life where a new dress was the most exciting thing in my day."
"There is also riding," Diego said softly.
"Not when I am pregnant."
Diego was flushing slightly. "Si, you'd have to give it up when you were expecting. But what exactly are you asking for?"
"I want…to be Zorro's helpmate, as well as Diego's wife. I want to be able to ride with you if I wish. I have no skill with the sword but I could be your…second, shall we say, when needed. I would watch out for you. As you said, Bernardo is often needed here. We could alternate between riding with Zorro and covering for Diego. Let me ride with you."
"The life of Zorro is not all glamour. If I do end up needing your help, it is more likely for you to be covering for Diego, as you said."
"I would do that willingly. I could do anything as long as it was something…more! I cannot return to a life of..."
"I know." His hand reached to clasp hers, thereby moving his arm from her shoulders.
She looked down, staring at their entwined hands. "So…"
Diego caressed her hand, "Magdalena…" Then he closed his eyes in apparent frustration. "Oh!" He jumped up. Their clasp was broken.
Diego was running and Magdalena followed him until they came in sight of the mission again and he stopped still. She almost ran into him, but changed course to stand at his side. She looked over the mission. There was no one in sight. There had been no noises. What was Diego doing?
But he was running again, turning to speak to her. "Forgive me. I must go see Garcia. It is very important, otherwise I wouldn't leave you here. And if I don't leave now, I don't think I will be able to get away." His eyes burned into hers and she blushed. "And it has to be today."
"Of course," she gasped. He was mounting Torcedor, turning the horse swiftly, then he hesitated and suddenly leaned down and kissed her. It was over in an instant, and he was turning to gallop away, but it touched Magdalena deeply, and she stood there for a long time, feeling bemused, but she held a secret tight to her heart as she waited for Diego to return. She had just been kissed by Zorro.