Chapter 19

"You look beautiful this evening" Don Alejandro smiled as his son and Victoria entered the hacienda, "a vision of loveliness."

"Gracias, you are very gallant, Senor," she teased, "I see where your son gets it from…You are very handsome, yourself."

"Come in…We are waiting for a few more guests to arrive…Make yourself at home…"

"Would you like some refreshments, Victoria. You must be parched after our journey from the pueblo."

"if you will take care of my lady for a few minutes," Diego bowed and kissed her hand gently, "I will be right back, Victoria."

"It does my heart good to see the two of you together…I have often imagined you and my son becoming more than just friends…I hope that I am not being too forward, my dear…I have always thought of you as a member of the family…"

The taverness blushed at Don Alejandro's comments. She loved him like a father and until recently had thought of Diego as a slightly older brother. He was certainly handsome and charming when he put his mind to it…the man is definitely an enigma, she thought.

"Father, I hope you are keeping Victoria entertained," he brought her a glass of wine as well as one for himself, "as a good host should."

"I am, son. The party is going well. Don't you think," Don Alejandro watched various caballeros and other guests mingle, "the alcalde seems especially pleased with himself tonight."

"He does. Doesn't he," Diego smirked as he glanced in Ramon's direction. The alcalde responded with a pompous grin and a nod of his head. Enjoy it while you can, the younger de la Vega thought, you will never forget this evening…

"The man is insufferable," his father stated, "his pride will be his downfall one day."

"That is true, Don Alejandro," Victoria stated, "did you have to invite him? I know that he is not one of your favorite people."

"I had no choice, my dear. I am loyal to the King and I cannot afford to slight his representative not if I want to stay in his good graces. Simply politics and…"

"Good manners," Victoria teased.

""Let's not waste any more time talking about politics…the night is young and so are both of you…Son, why don't you ask Victoria to dance? It seems like a shame to waste such beautiful music…"

"I can take the hint, Father. Victoria would you honor me with the next two dances," the tall caballero smiled.

"I would be honored, Senor de la Vega," she responded.

Don Alejandro watched his son escort Victoria to the dance floor. Diego bowed and held her lightly in his arms. The couple moved easily to the music as if they had been dancing together all of their lives.

"They make a handsome couple, Don Alejandro," Eduardo stood beside his old friend, "maybe, things will work out after all."

"I hope so, Don Eduardo. Good evening alcalde," the older don stated, "you are enjoying our little soiree. You have met, Don Eduardo…"

"Yes. I have. Senor…you have found your stay in our little pueblo enjoyable I trust."

"I have, Senor Alcalde…more than I thought possible when I first came to Los Angeles. Senor de la Vega is a fine host," he sipped his wine thoughtfully, "some other citizens could learn a lot from him when it comes to being hospitable…"

"Don Alejandro is a distinguished pillar of our community…"And a thorn in my side, he added silently…"Well…well, if you two gentlemen would excuse me…I have other subj….I means citizens to attend to…"

"That was awkward, Eduardo…the man is so smug…so arrogant….he deserves a comeuppance."

"He will get exactly what he deserves before this evening is over…"

Victoria gazed into Diego's blue eyes as they danced. The tall caballero seemed at ease, so self-assured as they danced across the floor. "You are a good dancer, Diego. Is there no end to your talents," she teased.

"I enjoy dancing when I get the opportunity," he smiles "it's easy when you have the right partner."

"Many of the caballero's daughters enjoy dancing with you…I have noticed that many of them are looking at you tonight."

"They are pleasant enough, I suppose. If I thought that they were sincerely interested in me…"

"How do you know that they are not, Diego? You are an attractive man…"

"They are not many eligible caballeros left in Los Angeles, Victoria. Most of the men my age are married or engaged to be married….not to mention that my father in the richest caballero in Los Angeles and I am the sole heir to his fortune," Diego sighed, "it would not be so bad if they were not looking for a rich man to marry."

"I thought that that is the way it is in polite society…to marry well and have a comfortable life…it sounds so cold….so mercenary." No wonder he doesn't like going to dances and parties even at his own home….

"Most matches among society are not based on love, I am afraid. A few people like my parents are fortunate enough to marry for love.. I am determined to do the same thing…Nothing else will entice me to marry. Even though my father wants grandchildren, we both agree on one thing. That is important to marry for love," he admitted, "not only love but friendship, respect and mutual values make a solid marriage…"

"My parents weren't wealthy but they did marry for love…they were happy together….they respected each other and valued the other's opinion. I want someone who doesn't mind that I have a mind of my own. Most men don't find that attractive…"

"Your husband will love your outspokenness…the way you care for others… qualities that are in your favor, in my opinion…"

"You are an unusual man, Diego de la Vega…beneath that polished exterior is a man with very decided opinions…"

I am more than willing to let you discover that there is more to me than meets the eye, he thought, all in good time…