Chapter 53
On the way to the de la Cruz hacienda...
"Well, I must say, Senorita. You certainly made a dull party infinitely more interesting," Luis Ramon smirked, "I am persona non grata with the de la Vegas. Now, you have certainly added your name to that list. Your little attempt to capture young Rafael's attention did not work."
"The man is still attracted to that former fiancée of his but won't admit it. He doesn't know what he wants...a little girl or a woman like me."
"So you managed to try to force your attentions on him...getting yourself kicked out of the social event of the season...All in one night...This will be the talk of the pueblo tomorrow morning, my dear."
"It is enough that Mama allowed you to escort this carriage but I have had enough of your remarks, Senor Alcalde."
"Aren't we a little touchy, Senorita? By tomorrow, I may be the only friend that you have in Los Angeles. You really should try to be a little nicer to me..."
"And why should I be nice to you? You are merely a second-rate soldier of fortune."
"I would not be so quick as to dismiss this...second-rate soldier of fortune. You are not the most popular woman in Los Angeles right now. The other caballeros will treat you like the plague."
"They wouldn't dare. My family is one of the wealthiest and most influential in all of California."
"That may be true but you have managed to offend the wealthiest and most influential family in the territory. A family that has ties to the Spanish throne...You managed to cause more trouble than I have in the short time I have been here."
"Why should I care about the people in this god-forsaken pueblo? Los Angeles is not exactly Monterrey or Santa Paula. I long for the gaiety and splendour of Madrid and the court."
"We have something in common. I don't intend to stay in Los Angeles forever. You were born for something higher, more civilized than this provincial life. You'd need only one "friend" to introduce you into the proper circles. The de la Vegas may be related to the king but they are not the only wealthy family with ties to the King..."
"It may be years before you leave Los Angeles...You have yet to capture this elusive Zorro."
"I will in due time. Surely, you don't expect Zorro to stand idly by and let the woman he loves marry de la Vega. I fully expect him to interrupt the ceremony and..."
"That is how you will capture him and what if your plan doesn't succeed."
"Then I will cross that bridge when I come to that. Trust me."
Victoria's Tavern...
"Leave it to Marisol to try and ruin a perfectly good party," Victoria said as Diego held her in his arms.
"Nothing could ruin tonight for me not even Marisol. Father was tired of her antics and so was Rafael. I feel bad for him, Querida...He lost Margarita and now apparently Lolita is lost to him as well."
"Do you think that he loves Lolita or is only using her?"
"My cousin is young and impulsive. I don't know what he is thinking. He is attracted to Margarita but it will take more than attraction for them to make a go of it. He is the typical de la Vega always looking for a challenge," he sighed.
"Were you looking for a challenge when you fell in love with me, Diego de la Vega?"
"I have always loved your fire...your spirit, intelligence and compassion..."
"That does not answer my question..."
"You are not the typical caballero's daughter and I find that very attractive. Every day with you will be an adventure, Victoria. There is so much that I love about you...I cannot put it into words. I wasn't looking for a challenge...When I saw you again after I returned from Spain all I could think about was how beautiful you were...how you stood up to Ramon...Maybe a part of me was looking for something to challenge me...to inspire me...to do the impossible," he admitted, "when I saw you...I saw someone who complimented me...someone I could share my life with...who would meet life's challenges by my side..."
"We will meet them together. I wasn't looking for a challenge but I found the one man that I am meant to be with. You inspire me...challenge me to see things differently, Diego. I only hope that your cousin finds the same thing for himself."
"From your mouth to God's ears, Victoria."
The de la Vega garden...
Rafael took another sip from his glass. The velvety liquid felt good going down his throat. He was certain that he would have a hangover in the morning but the alcohol would numb the effects of what had been a disastrous evening. How could things get any worse? It's all Zorro's fault...If only I had never come to this pueblo...If only Margarita had never laid eyes on that masked terror...We would be planning our wedding...We would be looking forward to being together for the rest of our lives...I wish I had never laid eyes on the man...Diego and his secrets...wonderful, perfect Diego...a man without fault...my cousin...my big brother...You have the perfect life...a beautiful woman who loves you...heir to one of the finest estates in California...loved and adored by the people of Los Angeles...Everything handed to you on a silver platter and what do I have...nothing...All of this is your fault...Yours and that alter ego of yours, he thought drunkenly.
