Diego held his wife to him for a moment, hardly believing his eyes. His son…bleeding…dead? He stumbled to his feet, and rushed to the boy's side.
"Felipe?" He whispered, as his expert hands felt for breathing, a pulse, anything. He unwound the silk cravat at his neck, and used the material to try to staunch the bleeding. He glanced up, suddenly aware of his wife at the other side of Felipe, ripping her cotton petticoats to make a quick bandage. Wordlessly, she handed him the material to bandage his son.
"Where was he hit, Diego?" She murmured. Her face was almost as pale as ivory, and her hands trembled.
"Shoulder…seems that the shot went right through. Are you hurt?" He asked, as if just considering the possibility.
"Ankle," she whispered. "But Felipe…so much blood…"
He nodded, turning his attention back to the teenager. Smoothing a strand of saturated dark hair from his son's forehead, he shook his head slowly. Not Felipe, not now. He was far too young to die. Not this way…Diego's mind was slow to think, and he realised he might be going into shock himself. He shook himself and tried to concentrate.
"The bandage is nice and tight, and the bleeding seems to be easing slightly. No ball to remove, and a nice clean shot. We were quick to stop the bleeding. He should survive it. He is strong and young." Diego spoke almost to reassure himself.
"Diego!" Alejandro said, arriving on Dulcinea. "Oh, no." He dismounted instantly, and was by Diego's side in moments. "Is he…?"
"He'll be fine," Diego said, gently lifting his son. Felipe's eyes flickered at the movement, and a sigh escaped him. "You'll be fine. Just rest…"
"Diego…he can't hear you," Alejandro said with a slight frown.
"I suppose not," Diego said with a slight smile. "I suppose I am just assuring myself."
Katherine struggled to stand, but the mud was too thick and her ankle too sore. "Can you please help me, Alejandro?" She said with frustration, after failing to stand. "My ankle…"
"Of course," Alejandro said softly. He supported her and helped her lean against him.
Zzz
The hired men helped Diego bring Felipe indoors, and settle him in bed. The doctor was sent for immediately, and Diego hovered over his son, examining the bandages, watching for the return of consciousness, repeatedly touching the cool forehead. Katherine leant on the door frame, and watched him.
"Diego," she murmured. "I could help…"
He turned and glared at her with stony eyes. Hard and cold, angry.
"He wouldn't have been shot if it weren't for you…Get out," he hissed. "Just get out…"
Katherine turned, as tears welled up in her green eyes. She stumbled away, before she burst into silent sobbing. He was right, of course he was. She should never have left the hacienda. Felipe would be safe…
She turned and made her way to the kitchen. Maria had gone to bed much earlier, and the kitchen was deserted. Katherine scooped up apples and left over cake, and a bottle of lemonade, and tucked them hurriedly into a medium sized basket. Then she grabbed Maria's warm woollen shawl that had been discarded on the back of a chair, and swung it around shivering shoulders.
She laid a hand on the door knob of the kitchen door, and paused. The impulse to run, was it good? Her mind was racing, her heart pounding. If she left, then Diego would be safe. If she left, then Edward would seek her out, and leave Diego alone. If that was the case, then it was a good idea. She loved him, and he would be safe. Perhaps he could get a divorce if she did desert him? Maybe he needed someone more settled, more predictable…
Two tears ran silently down her face, and she stepped out into the storm that still raged.
Zzz
Juan was packing the cart for a trip. Katherine noticed almost immediately. Where was he heading? She leant against the wall of the stable, so that she was hidden from the workmen. She drew in a sharp breath, as she jarred her ankle yet again. Pain ran up her leg, making her want to cry out, but she bit her lip and was silent, listening.
"How long this time, Juan?"
"Off to Monterey, and then to San Francisco, Pablo. It'll be a month until I am home again."
"One day I'd like to come and see the sights with you," Pablo said.
"When the Patron can do more than a week without you, I'll be glad to have you aboard."
Pablo chuckled, and headed towards the homes of the servants. Juan headed towards the kitchen.
Monterey was a fair distance away. San Francisco was even further. Maybe she could cut her hair…she could look after horses. Maybe if they thought she was a boy, she could help a doctor. She could support herself, surely she could. Maybe she could keep her hair and become a school teacher. She touched it, caressing the damp tendrils. She was quite happy with the firey red hair that spoke of her Scottish ancestry…perhaps even proud of it. She'd hate to lose it.
Juan had reached the kitchen door, and her decision was made. She swung herself into the back of the cart, and hid under a thick blanket. Several boxes of goods of some sort surrounded her, tied securely to the cart to prevent them toppling off the vehicle. She snuggled herself into a small space, and sighed. Her apples and cake would do for a few days, and the lemonade would quench a thirst. Then what? She sighed again, her mind was too tired and shocked to think anymore. She was so tired, and her ankle so sore.
Peeking out of the blanket hiding place, she kept an eye on the back door, as she ripped another petticoat into two strips. She wound them expertly around her injured ankle, giving the joint more security and support. It still hurt, but a little less. Katherine lay down again, and drew the shawl over her like a blanket, and shivered. It was a few hours before dawn, but Juan was almost ready to leave.
She hoped he wouldn't find her until it was too late to turn around. She was so tired. She shifted a little, and laid her head on her arms. She was asleep before Juan returned to the cart.
Zzz
She stirred awake, much later. Sunlight was seeping into her little hiding place, warming her gently. Her ankle throbbed, and she bit her lips closed over a soft moan. She couldn't give herself away, not yet. She closed her eyes to the pain, and sucked her bottom lip for security, and to prevent herself crying out as the cart was jostled, and with it her ankle.
She felt cold and warm at the same time. She sighed again, and closed her eyes. She was soon lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the cart's movements as the road became slightly smoother.
Zzz
The next time she opened her eyes, the cart was still. Darkness had brought with it a certain hush. The horses had been unharnessed and the cart was propped up to prevent damage to the goods in the back. She shifted slightly, careful to keep the noise of her movement to a minimum. She bit into an apple, savouring the juices, sweet and tart at the same time. She couldn't remember ever eating anything more delicious, and her stomach moaned slightly.
She was hungry, she reasoned with a slight smile. She was going to be hungry until she found work, but first she had to travel as far as possible in the cart. The apples would do for now.
Anyway she was more tired than hungry, she thought, as she snuggled down again. She tried to consider the implications of that realisation, but her eyes were heavy and her mind pleasantly numb. She was quickly asleep again.
Zzz
When she opened her eyes, she was in a bed. She glanced around worriedly. A lady laid a hand on her forehead gently, and she smiled.
"Well," she murmured. "The fever has lifted, finally."
Katherine stared at her for a few moments. Where was she? Who was this lady? Where was the cart? Where was Juan? Was she safe?
"Dona Katherine," the lady said softly. "Don't be alarmed. You were ill. Such fevers. At one time….well. All's well now of course."
"You…know me?"
"Juan found you, when he started unpacking. He's never been so surprised in his life, or so worried."
"I'm…sorry."
The lady rose and filled a glass of water. "Drink this," she urged. "You were quite parched."
"Where am I?"
"The de la Vega townhouse in Monterey. There is no question of you returning to Los Angeles as yet."
"I don't want Diego to know where I am…" She bit her lip. She sounded like a hysterical school girl.
"Excuse me?"
"It's better if I leave as soon as possible. We aren't suited….not at all," she murmured.
"Lover's spats are painful but mostly temporary."
"I've been a thorn in his side since he met me," Katherine said. "Our marriage has been a horrible situation from the start…for him."
"But not for you?"
Katherine felt her face flush.
"It's not about me. Someone wants to kill Diego for marrying me. If he doesn't know where I am, he can't endanger himself. If I desert him, he will be safe. Surely you understand?"
"It sounds a little hysterical, my dear. Perhaps when you are feeling a little more yourself?" The lady was frowning slightly, and a worried glint had come to her brown eyes.
"Please don't let him know where I am. If you do, if you have sent him word already, I will have to leave immediately."
"Can you even sit up, ma'am?"
"I can make myself…"
"No, don't upset yourself. If you are so adamant, Dona Katherine, I am sure we can wait before telling Don Diego," the lady said, shaking her head with a slight smile. "I am reminded of Diego himself with your antics, I'm afraid. It's amazing just how similar you are to Diego when he was younger."
"Diego is wise and very sensible."
"It was not always the case," the lady said. "My name is Margaret, Senora. I am the housekeeper here. I manage the household, such as it is."
"Is Diego likely to arrive on the spur of the moment, Margaret?"
"No, the de la Vegas always give plenty of notice if they are planning a trip. This residence is hardly used. In the days of Dona Elena it was used more often, as ladies like hosting parties and socialising with each other."
"I could stay here," she murmured.
"You will not be going anywhere for a while. You must have caught a chill in that damp ballgown of yours, and your ankle is broken. How did you even manage to walk on it?"
Katherine shrugged.
"Stubborn as a mule, of course. Just like any other de la Vega," Margaret said with a slight smile. "Go back to sleep, if you want. You look exhausted. I'll bring up some chicken broth later. That will help matters."
Katherine found herself nodding. "That would be lovely, Senora. Chicken broth…mmm," she sighed again, snuggling into the softness of pillows. She was asleep in moments.