Chapter 18

Breathing heavily, Zorro sat on the windowsill, fighting the unconsciousness that threatened to overtake him. He had barely made it to the open window of his bedroom. When Diego awoke from his restless sleep because his back hurt terribly. He got up to have another cup of willow bark tea to take the sharpest edge of the pain. Then Diego saw a shadow move in the courtyard. He soon realized that the soft shadows in the dark belonged to the woman he loved, and he wanted to thank her on behalf of her beloved. Diego pulled out a Zorro costume from an old suitcase under his bed and slipped out the window into the garden. Only to thank her and maybe steal a kiss had been his plan. Then disappear into the night as he had done countless times before all those years.
Instead, Victoria had pulverized his heart in a few sentences. Only to ignite a flame of hope and desire in all its fierceness seconds later.

By this time, he had already felt weak on his feet. He hadn't known whether it was because of her words and intense despair or because he was still as flaccid as a dish rag.
Unable to give himself an attitude after her words and his energy seeping away rapidly, he had said goodbye to her. Zorro closed his eyes and squeezed out the last of his strength before dropping his legs over the windowsill and then, a few seconds later, plopped onto the bed, exhausted, thankful he had made it back in.
Victoria had broken off her engagement to Zorro because the thought that Diego couldn't be hers was too painful for her. It was more than he ever had dared to hope.
Her anger would be furious. He didn't expect Victoria was going to severe harm Diego. He would survive, and after that, she would belong to him forever. Diego fell asleep with a satisfied smile on his face, dreaming of a glorious future together.

After Zorro disappeared like a ghost into the night, Victoria stood in the garden for a long time, staring straight ahead. The kiss had been a final goodbye. She could feel his lips still burning.
A difficult conversation and the dream of a new future loomed on the horizon. Zorro was long gone when she whispered "adios" into thin air.

Diego didn't show up for breakfast in the morning. But to Victoria her surprise, Don Alejandro didn't seem to mind. "He must have been tired after that long ride." The man waved his usual objections away. One look through the telescope, and the don knew that De Soto hadn't given up hope yet.
He urged Victoria to stay out of sight.

Felipe went to the pueblo to see what had happened after the tavern owner's disappearance.

Victoria sauntered over to the library, running her eyes over the many titles until she found one that caught her eye.
She apologized to the don for the trouble she was causing.

"No need to apologize, dear. First, let me show you where to hide if necessary."
Alejandro led her into the guest room where she'd slept. He opened a door she hadn't noticed before because it fell almost invisibly against the wall. "This room is connected to the room next door. It is intended for when a couple comes to stay." He handed Victoria a key. She knew of the existence of such rooms in large haciendas. And that it was not customary for the more affluent for couples to share the bedroom. Between the rooms was a narrow corridor where a small person could fit between the two doors.
"The lancers have never opened these doors. I think they think it's just one door. So I don't think it's likely to happen any time soon."

By the time Victoria and Alejandro walked back to the library together, they saw Don Diego sitting in the dining room enjoying a cup of coffee as they passed.
"So, Diego, finally up and about?"

"Yes, I fear I was more tired than I thought."

Alejandro patted his son on his shoulder, pouring in a cup of coffee for himself. "Then take the dau off. I showed Victoria the corridor in the guest room where she can hide. Victoria, coffee?"

"Excellent." Diego smiled approvingly.

Victoria fiddled with her skirt. Not quite sure how to behave towards Diego now. For the moment, she decided to pretend that nothing had changed. Diego didn't know about her late-night visitor, and confronting him now about him being the mystery writer was too fast after giving up on the man she had worshipped for so long.
Alejandro and Diego kept a close eye on the road passing the hacienda and carefully watched for any movement with the help of the telescope. Alejandro had placed a chair near the instrument and instructed Diego to take guard. Diego stopped reading regularly to peek out through the telescope.

Victoria is relieved that Diego's attention is captivated by a large book and a telescope. She tried to read her book but regularly found herself rereading the same page for the umpteenth time.
"I can't stay here forever." She sighed after a while breaking the silence.

"No, you're right. When the time comes, counsel will arrive. It was noble of Mendoza to bring you here. I don't think he thought of the consequences."

"He planned it to make the alcalde believe that Zorro was doing fine. He dislikes something to have happened to Zorro."

In the distance, Diego saw a rider approaching. "Victoria, go hide. Someone is coming."

Immediately she got up and hurried to the room with connecting doors. She waited anxiously to hear a familiar voice say the coast was clear.
That happened sooner than she expected. Alejandro was the one knocking on the door. "Come on, Victoria. It was Felipe, and he's got some news that will make your ears pop."

"Married?"
Indeed, Victoria could hardly believe her ears. She didn't understand the gestures that Felipe made, but Diego understood and translated without any problem.

"The alcalde has been caught in an extremely awkward position by Father Benitez with señorita Annabella. Leaving him no choice but to ask for her hand in marriage?"

Felipe nodded and made some more gestures.

"And according to the rumours, it is not the first time that they have seen together. The señorita could already be pregnant from the alcaldes?"

"She is pregnant, yes. But the alcalde isn't the father." Victoria was able to report. "That man who kidnapped me was her lover. It's quite sad. He only used her while she was in love with him."

"It certainly explains why the señorita went to all the trouble to get compromised," Alejandro uttered. "And apparently, she's succeeded. Felipe, do you know when the wedding will take place?"

This time it took a little longer before Diego understood what Felipe tried to say. "They're already married?"

Felipe nodded, then made more gestures.

"They left for their honeymoon an hour ago to meet her family?"

Victoria was unsure whether to be happy or not. "I feel sorry for them both."

Alejandro cleared his throat. "Victoria, señorita Annabella made a deliberate choice. Just like her entering into our bedrooms was. It wasn't she tried to hide her intentions. As for the alcalde, he should be wiser as a grown man than to take advantage of an unmarried woman." The tone in his voice made it clear Alejandro disapproved of the alcalde's actions.

Diego was thinking aloud. "I think she deliberately seduced him."

"Son, you probably correct. Still, a gentleman should never take advantage of a woman, even if she offers herself. He took a risk and knew what the consequences could be!"

Diego felt he needed to sit down again, so he plumped in the nearest chair. "And yet I agree with Victoria and feel sorry for them both. And especially for the unborn child. Any child should be welcomed in a warm family where they are loved."

Victoria's eyes wandered to Diego. The way he spoke was so determined about his opinion, rarely shown she could only admire him. It did concern her a bit Diego looked so tired again. He had slept a long night and was out of bed only a few hours. Was he perhaps sick?

The next day Victoria ran to her hiding place when Alejandro warned her that a horseman was approaching.
Again she was able to leave the narrow space after a few minutes. The visitor turned out to be Sergeant Mendoza, who came to report that he was, since the alcaldes left on honeymoon, now acting alcalde. And it was safe for Señorita Victoria to return but the pueblo. Victoria was glad her exile got lifted, and don Diego was kind enough to escort her back to Los Angeles.

Victoria got welcomed by her regular customers and helpers. Mendoza came to lunch and hinted that the tavern owner could express her gratitude, by offering him a delicious meal.
Victoria laughed and was more than willing to heed the sergeants' obvious suggestions for just this once.

She got asked if it was indeed Zorro who had set her free. Rumours had spread about a badly injured or maybe dead folk hero alarming the villagers.

To the surprise of both don Alejandro and Diego. Those rumours had a positive effect on the local Caballeros. The idea that there was a chance that the fox would no longer defend them against injustice had evoked an unprecedented sense of needing to stand together. Men who before had never stuck their necks out now declared firmly that it had gone on long enough and that concerted action is needed. And they all should unite against the man who believed they stand his injustice any longer. Some dons had left for Monterey in the hope of gaining an audience with the governor.

Victoria said that Zorro had indeed been injured. He had freed her from prison but had to recover more before he could make an appearance again.

Two friends of Don Alejandro reacted with relief to this news. But at the same time admitted that they had relied too long on the masked man to fight their battle.

And now that de Soto would be away for at least a month, it gave him ample opportunity to get organized and let him know immediately when the alcalde returned that times were about to change.

In the following days, Sergeant Mendoza was busier than ever. Together with the don's initiatives were started to improve life in the pueblo.

Victoria was not surprised when Diego walked in one day with an envelope in his hand. She didn't have to look at the handwriting to know who send her a letter.
She apologized to her helpers and walked out the back door, tore open the envelope and began to read.

Moments later, she had a broad smile on her face. This poem was going to be published and answered by dona Corazón. Out of her apron, she got her notebook and pencil, pressed her lips together and began to write and scratch.

The next day she walked into the office of the Guardian and handed Diego her this week's column.

"That's fast." That was all Diego said.

Victoria, handing him the column. "Ah, I felt inspired." She turned around and headed back to the tavern.

When will I find the courage?
I make excuses over and over again.
Today is not the day I just can't.
Tomorrow, I'll do it. For sure this time.

Tomorrow came to a went
And tomorrow it is yet again.
Excuses find their way.
It needs to end. I have to tell you.
You have to know. You have the right to know.
It is time.

.

Dear mysterious writer,
Be brave and not afraid. Love sincere, and real.
It has the power to build bridges to cross the steepest ravine and the widest river.
True love always finds its destiny.
When your beloved is your other half,
the Lord planned you two to meet.
You can find your happiness. All you need is..., faith.

Good luck,

Dona Corazón.

Three days later, Zorro still hadn't been seen. And rumours were Zorro might not have survived the cowardly attack after all.

The day the Guardian was published, there was a buzz whether the villagers would finally find out the identity of the man, who had sent the letters and published for the third time in Dona Corazón's column. Who was this man? And who was his love interest?

Diego walked into the tavern just before siesta time and seated himself on the nearby chair. He looked exhausted, dark circles around his eyes.
"Never have I sold all the papers so quickly as today."

Victoria bringing her friend a glass of lemonade and a plate of enchiladas smiled. "There was a lot of interesting information in it this week. The marriage of the alcalde. Mendoza, doing an excellent job as acting alcalde with the help of the dons and Caballeros."

Diego nodding in agreement. "And don't forget the column by Dona Corazón."

Victoria tried to make eye contact with the handsome man, uttering. "Diego, I think we should talk."

"Oh, uh, I need to go and..." He was a coward, he knew. All the arguments he and his father had, he lost count. He just wasn't strong enough yet to withstand her out burst of rage And Diego was doubtful if and how to confess. De Soto gone for the moment, and the dons cooperating perhaps Zorro was no longer needed and had died. Perhaps, it was better to pursue Victoria to talk some other time. It was not like he was to know she broke with Zorro.
One tiny glare on the woman told him any excuse would fail.

"And not tomorrow, or the day after. Today.
Diego, I discovered you have a secret identity."

.

.

In a few weeks I will be on vacation and unable to post new chapters. I will do my best to have the story finished by then. I think I'll be able to do it.
Thanks for all the reviews. I enjoy reading them. And for the feedback in PMs ( whether positive or slightly less positive) that I receive. It means people are really reading.
You don't always have to agree with each other. This story takes place in my imagination.
And Diego, yep, I will admit he acted like a coward. But in the previous chapter he was really feeling overwhelmed by Victoria and not his usual self yet.
He was still coping with his father knowing his secret and recovering from a gunshot wound. He's only human. Give him a little time.
He has to deal with all his father's anger as well.