A few thousand thoughts raced through Diego's mind. Courtship coaching? If he let go of his desires, she would be in his arms, covered in kisses, thoroughly courted already. He was tired, was this wise? Reputations could be ruined if they didn't tread extremely carefully, and his life was in danger almost every day. If he ruined her, she would have no hope of marriage, and if he was dead...well. He opened his mouth to refuse quickly.

"I know how you feel about reputations, Diego. We are adults, we could be discreet. We won't really do anything untoward."

She could read his mind, Diego thought, startled. Although that was nothing new. He sighed, and ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the curls out of place. She did not know everything. She didn't know what she truly did to him. Count to ten, he told himself, and refuse her.

"No one can find out," he found himself saying. What was he saying? He needed to stop himself. But she was so close, so eager to help.

"It's just that I am so happy, and I'd want to see you happy too. Zorro is…" Victoria said with a wistful look in her eyes. "You deserve to find a wonderful woman to marry and have children."

I have found a wonderful woman to marry, he thought to himself, glancing down at his boots. Children? Who knows, but hopefully. When this masquerade finally ended, they would let nature take its course. If she could forgive him, if he could utter the words that might destroy him.

"That's wonderful," he said, a little discouragingly. The taste of jealousy was bitter on his tongue. What a horrible situation to be in, he thought.

"He…" She blushed, and shook her head. "It is something private between us, never mind."

He was curious enough to dare. "You can tell me," he said gently. "I can keep a secret."

"I promised to keep it secret," she said, busying herself with wiping a shelf. "But Zorro is a wonderful suitor."

"Maybe he can give me lessons," Diego said a little ruthfully, under his breath.

"What did you say?" Victoria asked, turning to pay more attention to him.

"I definitely could use some lessons," Diego said, more clearly this time. "I am serious. My father can't know about this. It mustn't get back to the lady in question. She'll probably laugh at me."

Victoria's face grew concerned. "What if she did find out? Would it really be that bad?"

"I would leave Los Angeles," he admitted. He thought of his father's estates to the north. "I would ask my father to let me manage the northern estates. I would need to get my mind off the issue completely."

He wondered what would happen to Zorro in the aftermath, but it would probably be a non issue in the long run.

"I would miss you, if you did that," Victoria said thoughtfully. "You are probably being overdramatic, but we would prevent that at all costs. No one will know, least of all the woman. How could she know?"

People have a way of finding out these things, he thought. One slip and his world would crash around him. Just as one slip of a blade would slay Zorro. Why perform either role, Zorro or this watered down Diego? Why not?

"Well we can't start today," he said with a sigh. He had resigned himself to the idea. Whether or not he continued with the lessons was up to fate, he decided. Spending more time with the woman he loved, in a play of love, might grow too challenging, but it was a challenge he decided was worth it.

"When then?" Victoria was wise to his character. He smiled.

"Tomorrow, while business is slow. I don't want you to suffer any repercussions from this," Diego said with growing finality. "I have a newspaper to run and several errands to run before siesta, and the morning is fast disappearing."

She nodded, taking his plate and cup to the washing up sink.

"My cousin may have to be a chaperone, but she can be trusted."

"Of course," he said. The more people involved the less secret their activities could prove to be, but a chaperone could help convince people of their innocence. A mixed blessing.

Zzz

As he typeset the printing machine, he cursed his nature. Of course, his heart would rule his head and drive all sense from his body. He fumbled with the letters, dropping them even as he placed them.

"Damn everything to hell," he said, with a growl.

Felipe popped his head under the printer, his face full of amused shock. Some role model, Diego thought, frowning. What on earth was wrong with him today?

Felipe signed a little.

"You would be forgiven for swearing if your world was coming to pieces around you," Diego said, rolling out of the cramped quarters. "I think you can typeset this, I'll talk you through it."

Felipe looked a little concerned and excited at the same time. Diego smiled finally. Felipe was a little comical in his enthusiasm.

Felipe signed hesitantly.

"I'll explain later, let's get this typesetting done. Your fingers are smaller and more dexterous than mine."

It took three times longer to typeset the printer than usual, but the smile on his friend's face made it worthwhile. They both were covered in old ink smears, as Diego had to demonstrate personally and assist to get the final pieces together. It was getting late and the siesta was almost over by the time they had finished.

"You had lunch?" Diego asked Felipe, as he wiped sweat from his forehead.

Felipe pointed to a basket sitting on the desk. Inside were a small basket of fresh strawberries, a few bocadillos and a wrapped bottle of fresh lemonade, packed by the de la Vega kitchens as a picnic. Diego felt his stomach grumble to life, and he smiled. He wouldn't have to trust himself to visit Victoria's kitchen today, and risk his sanity further.

Felipe signed, a repeated gesture from before. Diego sighed.

"Yes, my life is on a precipice, my friend, and it is a path surrounded by quicksand. One false step and my life is ruined. And yet I feel compelled to keep stepping forward."

Felipe signed with a frown.

"I can't help it. The heart wants what the heart wants. Thank goodness the alcalde is behaving himself so far this week," Diego replied with a shrug, knowing that he had probably prompted fate to intervene in the worst possible way.

Felipe shivered visibly, as if someone had stepped over his grave. His fingers stumbled over a statement, faltering with the gestures. Diego shook his head.

"Superstitions are a waste of intelligence, my friend, although sometimes I half believe some of them."

He picked up a bocadillo and bit into the beef sandwich with feeling. Felipe poured out two glasses of lemonade, and Diego sighed into a hint of relaxation. He'd been on edge since his conversation with Victoria, wary, cautious and tense.