Chapter 35
The ladies talked amiably among themselves while Don Diego and Don Luis continued to talk in the study. Victoria and Isabella were getting along famously. The two had at least one thing in common, a shared love for Don Diego de la Vega. "How long have you known, Diego, Senora Isabella?"
"Please call me Isabella, Victoria. Luis and I have known Don Alejandro a long time even before Diego was born. His mother was a dear friend of mine," the older woman responded, "I still miss Elena but Diego reminds me of her. We watched him grow into a fine young man. He has his mother's eyes and her coloring as well as her love for the arts and sciences. He was such a rascal always getting into some kind of trouble but I am sure you know that."
"Diego and I have known each other since childhood. He was always playing with my older brothers. I am sure that he did not like a little girl like me following them around," Victoria stated. Things certainly have changed. "I have fond memories of Dona Elena. She was a great lady and Don Alejandro has been like a father to me," the taverness continued, "She was always kind to me even though our families were in different classes socially."
"Those things never mattered to Elena or Alejandro. They raised their son to respect others regardless of their social status. I am sure that Alejandro is happy about your engagement."
"He is. He wanted to throw a grand wedding for us….relatives from Spain…flowers…a grand party but…"
"Those things are not important to you. Are they my dear?" Isabella could see that the younger woman loved Diego a great deal….
"No. All I want is to marry Diego and spend the rest of my life with him," she smiled as Isabella patted her hand.
"That is how it should be. You are fortunate to have found each other. I am happy for you both." The older woman watched Amanda closely. I wonder what that look is about…The woman seemed happy but she was quite reserved. Was something wrong? "Senorita Amanda, I hear that congratulations are in order for you as well."
"Yes, I am engaged to Sergeant Jaime Mendoza, a friend of Don Diego's," she admitted. I am glad it is Mendoza not Javier, she thought.
"That is wonderful news but is there something wrong, my dear? This should be the happiest time of your life."
Amanda looked at the woman thoughtfully. She seemed kind and understanding. Am I really that transparent? Can I trust her with my concerns? I need someone to talk to. I wish that my mother were here…
"I know that we have just met, Amanda but I sense that there is something wrong. You can trust me, my dear. Diego and Victoria seem to think highly of you. I would like to help if I can…"
Amanda watched as Victoria nodded reassuringly. Take the risk, Amanda. Even though Victoria had just met the woman…She trusted her instinctively…Amanda had nothing to fear whatsoever.
"I…I was engaged before," she sighed.
"That is not surprising, Amanda. You are a lovely young woman. I am certain that you have had many suitors for your hand," Isabella smiled, "This sergeant you are engaged to… You love him…Don't you?"
"Yes, I do," Amanda admitted, "Jaime is a wonderful man but my former fiancée is not."
'Was the young man worthy of your affections, my dear? Luis and I have a daughter. She was fortunate enough to meet the right man but the path to true love is not always smooth, I daresay.'
"Javier was charming on the surface…. I was taken in by his charm and good looks but…My father made the match. It seemed to be the right thing at the time," Amanda hesitated, "but he has returned to make trouble I fear."
"You must not be afraid, my dear," Isabella continued, "This Javier can do nothing to you unless you let him. He is hurt…I am certain but he has no power over you. I am glad that you found someone who is worthy of you. You seem to be a lovely young woman. You remind me of my own daughter. Your other young man was quite undeserving apparently." This Javier sounds like a trouble maker….Javier…Is that the one that Diego wrote about? The older woman's brow creased. Evidently Diego saw the man as a threat. The two young people should be planning their wedding not dealing with a troublesome jilted suitor. She liked Amanda already and she felt the same way about Victoria….
"He is out to cause trouble, if not for me, then for Victoria and Diego," Amanda confessed. Victoria's eyes widened slightly at her remarks. "Javier would stop at nothing to hurt me even if means hurting you and Diego. I have seen him around the pueblo asking questions. News travels fast in a small pueblo, Victoria."
"That is true, Amanda. He has been asking questions about Diego, for some reason, I wonder what he seeks to gain from it," the younger woman stated. She was not ready to reveal Diego's secret just yet without his consent. "Javier is a troublemaker. I sensed it the first time that I met him. He is a dangerous man."
"I know that Diego and Jaime are good friends. Javier resents Diego and he resents you for bringing us together. He will do whatever he can to hurt the two of you," Amanda continued, "And now that he has fallen on hard times, he is desperate to get his hands on some income."
"He is having financial difficulties, my dear," Isabella interrupted, "Are you certain?"
"My father had him investigated a few months after we broke our engagement. It seems as though Javier made several bad investments," Amanda stated, "If he had known about Javier's true character before our engagement, he would have never made the match. It seems as though Javier fooled us all."
"Don't worry, my dears," the older woman reassured them, "This Javier will be stopped…one way or the other."