Senor Triez hugged Katherine, and shook Diego and Alejandro's hands. It was late and they were the last guests to leave the party. Diego was still staring into the shadows, almost expecting something to leap out at them at any time.
"Enough of this nonsense," he said with a chuckle. "If anything was going to happen, it would have by now. Go back to the townhouse and enjoy each other, and your future."
Diego was still in his work clothes as he got into the man's borrowed carriage. He looked at his wife who paled. He squeezed her hands gently to reassure her. He still had his doubts as to how safe they were.
Even though he was concerned, he could still appreciate the forest green ball gown with the puffed sleeves, and the low but modest neckline of her dress. She was tired, and her eyes less bright than they had been. He raised both of her hands to his lips, and she smiled tiredly. For a moment, both of them almost forgot where they were and who they were with. Diego struggled a little not to place a gentle kiss on her trembling lips, just to ease the trembles. Or so he told himself…
"I appreciate the extra men you're lending us for the rest of the time we are in Monterey, my friend." Alejandro's voice quickly brought Diego back to their surroundings and the risks of dangers.
"It is no problem. You will all laugh about this in a few weeks, you'll see."
Alejandro glanced at his son, and the ghostly pale Katherine, and tried to smile. As the carriage pulled out, he managed a small smile at Diego. Diego just made out the gesture of encouragement through the darkness and was reassured. His father seemed to be another person, a commanding presence in the midst of uncertainty. His military experience seemed to be coming to their aid.
"He is probably right, you know. We have probably taken the problem out of all proportion."
"Yes, of course Father." Alejandro couldn't see his son's face in the shadows, but he heard his son's old voice and was reminded of the time when Diego was pretending to be other than he was. He didn't draw attention to the fact, aware that Katherine nerves were almost overwhelming her.
"You really think so?" Katherine's tired voice spoke up. "Do you really think he won't try anything?"
"The party would have been the ideal place to attack us. Perhaps he has lost his nerve."
She snuggled against Diego's warm body and sighed. He wrapped a protective arm around her, and she stopped shaking. He watched as she chewed her lip, as if only now realising how they still trembled. He admired her self-control.
"Anyway Triez is lending us men to help protect the townhouse. They will be there in the morning."
She nodded, and tried to stifle a yawn. Diego shrugged out of his jacket, and bunched it up for a pillow.
"I know it's a bit dusty, but rest your head. You're exhausted." She sighed and rested her head obediently on the makeshift pillow on his lap. He draped her cream shawl over her shoulders, hope to stop some of the slight shudders that were coursing through her body even now. He gently unpinned her hair, placing every pin carefully in her tiny drawstring bag, and stroked her ginger hair until she fell asleep.
Zzz
Katherine stirred as the carriage came to a stop. There was a loud bang and she was wide awake in an instant.
"Diego!" She screamed, reaching for him in her panic. She felt his chest for wounds automatically, her hands searching all over his torso.
"I'm here," he assured her. "I'm fine," he added, catching her shaking hands and kissing them gently.
"It was probably the wind banging one of the shutters…" He glanced at his father with concern. It had sounded exactly like what she had thought. A gunshot…There was no point in making his wife anymore terrified than she was.
"Yes. That's probably what it was, Katherine. Sometimes the shutters bang in the wind." Alejandro climbed out of the carriage ahead of them, and went immediately to the front door.
He was greeted in a few moments by the butler. Another servant was sent to help Diego and Katherine out of the carriage, although Diego refused any help, climbing out of the carriage easily.
Diego went to his father's side quickly, as the servant helped Katherine.
"Are you thinking what I am thinking, Father?"
"I think one of us should go to Triez's house and get those men," Alejandro murmured. "We don't want to panic Katherine…perhaps you could take her to Triez's place, and I can hold the fort here."
"If we have drawn him out, I would like to see it through, Father. You take Katherine to Triez's place…"
"Diego is going nowhere without me," Katherine said resolutely, catching the last couple of words. "I want this over with as much as you do, Diego."
He glanced at her with concern, and saw she meant what she said. Her eyes were cold, and flashing, and her chin was up. Her hands trembled with fear, but she meant what she said.
"We stay together as much as possible, Katherine. If he can separate us, then we will have trouble…." Diego was a little uncertain, but was sure he could defend himself against any threat. It was his wife who was the concern here. There was a secret passage inside the walls of the townhouse. If only he could convince her to go and hide, he thought. He didn't see it happening very easily. He wanted this threat dealt with as soon as possible, but if he had to hide in the passage to protect his wife, he would.
"I'll go and fetch the extra men, Diego. I'll be an hour. Is that too long?" Alejandro was suddenly doubtful. He had seen Diego's face cloud over with worry. If Zorro was worried, then anyone should take the situation seriously. "I could send a man instead, and help you here."
"I can defend myself, and Katherine, if we stick together, Father. We should be fine."
The young couple turned and watched Alejandro run to the stables, and then race away on one of their fastest horses.
"I'm glad he's gone to fetch the men, Diego," Katherine murmured. "I would hate for him to be hurt."
"No one is going to be hurt, Katherine. It was the wind, and now it is making everyone jumping at shadows." Diego kept his voice light and soft. If he could make her believe her fears were silly and groundless, maybe he could be free to deal with the threat. If she didn't feel afraid for him, maybe he could hide her in the passage and go out alone. Why did he have to say that they needed to stick together? She would bring it up in her argument against her hiding alone…
She smiled weakly, glad of his encouragement, and he squeezed her hand. He smiled back, determined to keep his growing fears to himself.
They were ushered into the dark, quiet house by the butler, and climbed the stairs slowly, behind the older man. Light from the candle he held flickered on the walls, casting shadows that kept Diego's nerves on edge. Katherine was trying to concentrate on her strong, confident husband, and her fears had lessened in the shadow of his assurance.
"I wonder where Margaret is, Diego. She normally likes to answer the door," Katherine said with growing unease.
"Mrs Hudson is feeling a trifle unwell, Ma'am. She should be up and about tomorrow morning, as usual," the butler said to assure her. "She is just seeing that your room is ready for you…"
The high pitched scream made Katherine cling to her husband immediately. Diego had to remind himself to stay with his wife, and not rush up the stairs two at a time to discover the reason for the distress. He glanced at the butler who dashed ahead on his behalf.
