Chapter 51

The de la Vega hacienda...

Victoria smiled as she thought about Don Alejandro's reaction to the engagement. He was overjoyed and wanted to plan the finest wedding Los Angeles had ever seen. It has taken much convincing on her part as well as Diego's to not wait six more months to have the wedding. Relatives from as far away as Madrid would be invited so the wait would be four months instead of the six that Don Alejandro had wanted. As long as my brothers are here that would be enough for me. The party was a success...Most of the guests had given her their sincere congratulations even though some in attendance did not approve of the engagement of two people from different classes in society...

"Your engagement party is a smashing success, if I do say so myself," the alcalde stated as he adjusted his white gloves.

"Thank you, alcalde," she replied graciously.

"You certainly look the part of a dona tonight, Senorita Escalante. I thought that Don Diego was destined to be a lifelong bachelor. My congratulations for snaring the heir to the de la Vega fortune."

Leave it to the alcalde to make this into a scheme on my part..."I love Diego and he loves me. We will be very happy together..."

"It amazes me that such a spirited woman as yourself would chose a man like de la Vega."

"Why would you say something like that? Diego is a wonderful man..."

"His wealth and position makes him infinitely more attractive than shall we say...a certain outlaw. That bandit didn't at least challenge Diego for your hand...Doesn't that seem strange to you? Are you sure that he won't interfere with your wedding somehow that he is only biding his time."

"Zorro knows that Diego is the man for me." Victoria took a deep breath as she struggled to control her temper.

"Well, if I have my way that outlaw will brought to justice."

"That is something you will never do, alcalde. You can be sure of that."

"You seem to be very protective of an outlaw...a man that you are no longer in love with...Is de la Vega aware that he is only a substitute for Zorro? That you are still in love with the man..."

"I will always admire Zorro for who he is and what he does but I am marrying Diego! I love him and only him." Diego is more of a man than you will ever be...With or without the mask.

"Is everything alright, Victoria?"

"I am fine, Diego," she smiled. Now that you're here..I was about to give our unwanted guest a piece of my mind...

"Don Diego...I...I just congratulated the senorita on your engagement." I wouldn't wish that little spitfire on anyone except de la Vega...

"Gracias, Alcalde," the tall caballero said as he gazed at his fiancée. "Now if you will excuse us. I would like to dance with my fiancée."

The two of you deserve each other. Especially knowing that she is only marrying you for your money...

ZZZ

"Are you alright, Victoria," Diego said as he danced with his fiancée, "The alcalde made some thoughtless remark about me. Didn't he?"

"The nerve of that man! He made it sound like I am only after you for your money and that I was too spirited for a weakling like you."

"A lot of people are probably thinking the same thing...that I am your second choice because you could not have Zorro. As long as the two of us know the truth...that is all that matters to me...I am marrying the woman that I love and besides I get some of my own back from time to time," he laughed.

Put that water down. So, Don Diego, now you're interfering with the running of my garrison?

Not at all, Alcalde, the tall caballero patted Mendoza on the shoulder. Sergeant, don't worry. In a moment, you'll have all the relief you need.

I gave orders that there will be no relief for Mendoza!

Even your orders may be countermanded by a higher authority.

There is no higher authority! I am the alcalde. I am the supreme authority!

Almost, Alcalde. But not quite that supreme, the tall caballero smiled as it began to rain...

"I remember that, Diego. I remember the look on his face...It was priceless. I suppose even the Ramon needs a reminder every now and then."

"Now, there's the smile that I love...Querida. He is just a petty, jealous little man who only lives to capture Zorro."

"If I have my way that is something that he will never do."

"Amen to that, mi Corazon."

ZZZ

"You do not seem to be enjoying yourself, Senor Ramon."

"Senorita Marisol, you look well this evening...There is no accounting for taste. Is there?"

"Don Diego is not one of your favorite people. Is he? Or the senorita for that matter?"

"He is an indolent fop not worth my time or attention. Victoria Escalante, well that is another matter. Being the future mistress of the de la Vega household is quite a step up from being a mere barmaid. She will have a life of comfort and ease..."

"The cousin is infinitely more interesting and much more attractive, I'd say."

"Are you smitten with young de la Vega? How amusing." You could have had a man like me...with my power and your money...We would have made a formidable team...

"He is handsome and well-connected...If not for that insipid Lolita Quintero, maybe I could have been a de la Vega..."

"This is rich...You are too much like his former fiancée to even stand a chance with him."

"Oh, really. How can you compare me to a woman like that?"

"You think that you would have a chance with him? I don't believe it," he laughed.

"Every man is susceptible to a pretty face," she countered, "I could have him or any other caballero just like that..."

"Are you sure about that? I don't see an engagement ring on your finger..."

"I haven't met the right man yet."

You haven't met anyone who will put up with your petulance and your antics...

"Just watch and learn, Senor Ramon."

Good riddance, the alcalde thought, This promises to be most amusing...