I intended to make the following two parts into one chapter. Too bad, it became too large, and I had to cut it in half.

Chapter 8

Diego pulled the latest copy of the freshly printed edition of the Guardian from under the press.
He looked pleased at the result.
A glance at his watch and a rumbling stomach told him it was almost siesta time, and he had again skipped lunch.
De Soto expected to be back from Monterey one of these days, and Diego knew the relatively peaceful days that had been in the pueblo for the past weeks would soon come to an end.
Everyone realized soon everything would be back to normal.

The lancers had been out on manoeuvres for the first time since de Soto's departure the day before yesterday.
Mendoza had made his rounds collecting taxes and experienced an event he would remember for a long time.
Pilar had become the tavern's new manager. And on the nights when there were overnight guests, she had offered to sleep in the tavern.
All this did not alter the fact, that Victoria could be found in the tavern almost every day. Her business was part of her life.
Most of the customers appreciated her cooking over the skills of her helpers.
And though Pilar was the tavern's most experienced helper, it turned out running the tavern was no easy task. It was important to Victoria for Pilar to be aware of all the details. She didn't want her business's reputation to get tarnished.

Diego prepared the papers for tomorrow's sale. He rolled down the sleeves of his shirt, pulled on his jacket.
After locking the door of his office, Diego crossed the plaza. Greeting, some acquaintances, he passed and entered the almost empty tavern.
They were married for a week today, and he loved every minute.
Waking up in the morning, Victoria curled up against him. Her hair tousled, a faint smile on her lips was the best thing that ever happened to him.

His relationship with his father had improved a lot. Diego, sometimes wondered why he had waited so long to tell his father the truth.

A glance around the room told him Victoria was probably busy in the kitchen preparing meals for later on the day. Alicia saw him come in, confirming his suspicion. She gave him a friendly nod and said. "Victoria is in the kitchen, don Diego." He nodded to indicate that he understood Alicia and walked towards the curtains separating the dining area from the kitchen.

Victoria stood with her back to him, cutting vegetables.
"Alicia, pass me those carrots, please." He looked around for a moment, saw the requested vegetable, and handed it to her. Victoria grabbed blindly hold of the carrot and looked up when the person offering her the carrots wouldn't let go.
Confused, she looked to the side, and only then did she see Diego.

"You didn't say please." He grinned, reaching his other arm to place it on her waist.

Victoria smiled and stepped back. Diego noticed her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Yeah, uh no. It is a busy morning. The alcalde being out of town, I get a lot more customers each day. I still have loads to do. It'll be fine." Diego took the opportunity for a quick kiss on her cheek. "May I?" Pointing at a bowl of small bread.

Victoria nodded, and Diego sank his teeth into the fresh bread.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Victoria wiped away some sweat from her forehead.
"Kind of you to offer, but no. I promised Pilar we would go through the administration this afternoon. It is a boring job that has to be done. I hope she soon gets the hang of it." Victoria continued cutting carrots.
"What are you going to do this afternoon?"

Diego swallowed a bite of bread before he answered. "I have finished working on the Guardian. I think I'll go for a ride. You know, have a look around. Shall I come and pick you up later?"

"No need. I plan to be home before dark. You better make sure you stay on your horse." Victoria winked at him. "See you tonight."

"I'll be careful. Till tonight, it is." Diego kissed her hand, stroked her wrist for a moment, grabbed an apple from the table and disappeared.

Toronado was a powerful horse to ride. In full gallop, the hooves thundered through the flat, rugged terrain. Zorro had barely done anything in the past week. And both horse and rider enjoyed the ride.
Diego kept his eyes out for things that might catch his interest. He had heard rumours of cattle thieves operating near Santa Paula. So he wanted to make sure they hadn't got it in their heads to try their luck near Los Angeles. But he found nothing disturbing him.
When he was about to return to the hacienda in the distance, Zorro spotted a group of lancers on patrol.
Since all the recent events, he decided it was better to make sure they caught a glimpse of Zorro. Let them know he was still around.
He fooled around a bit, let them get closer, jumped the ravine. Zorro doubled back when the leader of the four lancers ordered them to cross the ravine at the bridge three miles away.
Tornado was superior to the mediocre army horses. After this, he gave Toronado free rein. The horse was in the mood for a fast gallop.

Later than expected, Zorro returned home feeling tired and satisfied.
Once inside the cave, he greeted Felipe, who had taken the opportunity to muck out the stable.
"Gracias, Felipe. You did a splendid job." Diego praised the boy.

Felipe started taking care of the horse by taking off the saddle and rubbing him dry, Diego changed into his usual outfit.

It was well after dinner time, so out of habit, he went into the kitchen to check the pantry to see if there was anything left.
In the pantry, Diego discovered pastries and a bowl of stew.
He had just scooped up a good portion for himself when Victoria walked into the kitchen.

"Felipe told me you were home. Has anything happened?"
She came and stood next to him at the large table. Diego placed his hands around her hips, pulled Victoria onto his lap and kissed her firmly. He just loved seeing her in the hacienda daily.

"No, I only let some lancers chase me a bit to let them know Zorro is still in the area. Everything seems calm and quiet."

Victoria gave him a wry smile. "That will change soon enough."

"Maybe de Soto has improved now he has met the governor," Diego mentioned.

"I hear you believe in fairytales."

Victoria wanted to get up, but he stopped her. "One can always hope. Care to keep me some company? I'm sorry I was too late for dinner. Toronado needed to stretch his legs, and I confess we strayed a little further than intended."

Victoria understood. Diego was so different from what he made everyone believe. It must be a relief to act like the man he really is once in a while.
"Da nada. Let me reheat your plate. Warm, the stew, surely tastes better than cold." She wanted to get up again.

And again, Diego was too quick for her. "It tastes fine to me. May I suggest we retire a little earlier tonight? I hunger for something other than food." Diego let his hand slide from her waist to cup her breast and was pleased to notice her body responded immediately. "As a matter of fact, I am done eating." He had barely touched his plate.

Victoria pushed away his hand. Her voice was agitated when she said. "You already skipped lunch today. I think you should eat."

As on purpose, his stomach made a loud grunting sound. "You caught me," he confessed.

Victoria ruffled his hair for a moment, got up from his lap and poured two glasses of milk.

.

Diego lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. He didn't understand what had happened. Over the past few days, he and Victoria had made love extensively and several times. He had lost count and enjoyed it every single time. He couldn't recall any signs that Victoria had made the impression she enjoyed it less than he had. Even this morning, he had woken, finding Victoria wide awake next to him. And they had made love on her initiative. Not that he needed much encouragement.

However, this evening as they walked to the shared bedroom, Victoria had stopped in front of the doña's bedroom.
This had startled him. With a pale face, Victoria had then uttered the wish, she would rather sleep alone tonight.
He had asked if something was the matter. Victoria had quickly denied, her face turning red and said she was a little tired. Then she'd made a casual comment that she'd probably prefer to sleep alone for the next few nights and tried to sneak into the room.
Diego had grabbed her wrist and asked again if something was wrong.
She looked at him pleadingly and had begged him to respect her wish.
Hurt, anger, disappointment had fought in him. He had let her go, and she'd wished him goodnight and slipped into the bedroom.

And here he lay, alone, in a much too big bed. He had a pounding headache and was racking his brains about what had changed since this morning. They had made love, had breakfast. And around ten, they went to the pueblo. Victoria going to work in the tavern. He had worked on the Guardian. He had visited her before siesta time, and nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Except, Victoria being busy and not looking forward to spending an afternoon going over the administration with Pilar.

All Diego could think of was that it had something to do with Zorro, in some way. And it worried him.
Had Victoria realized when the wrong person found out about his dual identity, her life was as much at stake as his?
Did she mind he went out riding like Zorro when there had not been an actual reason? In real life, he had more in common with don Diego, than with Zorro. Did she love Zorro more than Diego, and was she disappointed in him? These, and other scenarios, ran through his mind like wildfire until he couldn't stand it any longer to be in the bed whose pillows smelled like her hair. Every time he closed his eyes, he pictured her lovely face and the satisfied smile she had given him this morning. Something had changed this day, and he feared the discovery.
What if she had indeed had enough of being married to boring don Diego. It was not like there wasn't any gossip in the pueblo, Victoria had married half a man.

Diego didn't know whether he was able to live without Victoria by his side ever again. One week they were married, and already, he needed to hold her in order to sleep, breathe and feel alive.

Frustrated, Diego tossed the pillow across the room, jumped out of bed and started pacing back and forth.
He dared to admit that he was addicted to her proximity.
Tonight he would grant her wish. Tomorrow, he would take her to a secluded area. He was going to keep her there until the air cleared.

Not in the mood to spend any more time in the bed that carried her smell, Diego put on his dressing gown to head to the cave. He would saddle Toronado and look again to see if he could locate any cattle thieves or other criminals. Anything was better than being in this room, paining himself in doubts and questions. Diego tightened the knot around his waist and went out into the hallway.

He heard a strange noise as he passed the door of the doña's bedroom. Diego strained his ears. It sounded sobbing. Was Victoria crying? For a moment, Diego considered walking into the room. He already had his hand on the door handle but changed his mind.
If one of his fears came true, he preferred to postpone the moment for a while. A voice in the back of his head was mocking him. So much for a fearless hero. At heart, he was a coward.

Diego entered the cave, dressed up as Zorro, saddled Toronado and moments later, he exited the cave through the back door.

Zorro rode almost the entire night. All he saw was a group of travellers who didn't mean any harm.
Just before dawn, Zorro returned to the hacienda, changed his clothes. Back in the bedroom, he fell asleep, exhausted.

After a few restless hours of sleep, he got dressed again. Felipe told him Victoria had gone to the tavern. Diego was about to saddle Esperanza when he changed his mind. She hadn't asked for him or come for him. Was this a sign? So, instead, he went to the cave and started on an experiment he'd read about very recently. If the findings were correct, it would extend the shelf life of many foods. It was the idea of a Frenchman winning a competition organized by Emperor Napoleon.

According to the article, D'Artagnan (a friend he had met years ago in France and was a descendant of the famous musketeers) had sent him. Should the idea work, it was brilliant in all its simplicity, and it had the potential to save lives.
When Diego was done, doing everything possible to make the experiment a success. He brushed Toronado and checked his stock of explosives, medicines and other supplies. After, Diego continued working in the cave by sharpening the various knives and swords.

It was past five when his father walked into the cave. "Here you are! I was wondering where you could be. Felipe told me you had no intention to go out as Zorro today and thought you had gone to the pueblo. Victoria just returned, telling me she hadn't seen you all day. Anything the matter?"

Avoiding his father's concerned glare, Diego answered as casually as possible.
"No, I did some chores that have been piling up this week. I will be right up."

"You better hurry. Maria has the day off, and Victoria offered to make empanadas."
On the day's Maria had the day off, the de la Vega men always dined in the tavern. A habit that seemed to change now, Victoria was living in the hacienda.
"I will forgive you when you don't change for dinner. But I doubt there will be any empanada left if it is up to Felipe. You know how much he likes them. The only man I know liking them more is the sergeant."
Alejandro chuckled and left his son alone in the cave.

During dinner, Don Alejandro talked profusely. It was barely noticeable that Victoria and Diego were both quieter.
Victoria tried to keep the conversation going. Diego seemed only capable of answering one syllable. He stared at her most of the time. Victoria had attention for everything around her except her husband.
Although, Diego sensed Victoria was glaring at him when he wasn't looking. Instead of calming him down, it did the opposite.

After dinner, Victoria allowed don Alejandro to persuade her to play a game of chess.
By now, Victoria had some actual lessons and understood the basic rules. She knew the moves that each piece was allowed to make.
Felipe was carving something out of wood, and Diego had taken a book off the shelf. Although he hadn't the faintest idea what was in it, even after reading the same page several times.
Due to her inexperience, the games Victoria played only lasted a short time, and after two games, don Alejandro indicated that he wanted to withdraw to his chambers.
After a showy gesture towards Felipe, the boy followed the old don meekly. It was clear that Alejandro wanted to give the newlyweds some privacy.

Victoria stood up too, looking pale.
"I think I'll go to my room as well." She stuttered with bated breath.

Diego, his heart beating in his throat, asked. "Shall I go join you?"

"I'd rather you did not." Victoria fled the library

Diego was in doubt about what to do. Go to his room to stare at the ceiling for hours again. Go to the cave and ride like Zorro. What he wanted most, was to go to the dona's room. And shake Victoria until she utters a confession of what was going on.
There had been no need for Zorro in the past few days. And he wanted to be near her, if not with her.
With his soul under his arm, Diego went toward the garden. He had the idea to pick some roses.
Maybe it would bring back memories and make it easier to sort things out.

The roses Zorro had always given Victoria had been his mother's favourite flower and grew next to the patio doors of what had been her bedroom.
Diego saw the light burning in the doña's bedroom. The beige-coloured curtains were drawn and rocked gently up and down in a non-existing breeze. The outer door was slightly ajar.
Most likely, Victoria had opened it to get some fresh air in.

Diego took his dagger and cut off the prettiest rose he could find. He was about to remove the thorns when a shadow came alive.
Victoria was preparing herself for the night, and there was enough light to see her sharp shadow on the curtain.
She pushed down her skirts over her hips, picked them up, folded them to lay on a chair. Next, she undid the buttons of her blouse.

Diego's mouth became bone dry when he realized he was spying on his wife, undressing herself.
Victoria had loosened her corset.

Staring at the silhouette of her body made it impossible to move. Her breasts got freed of any restrictions when Victoria took off her chemise.
Her delicate feminine curves moved gently up and down with each breath.
His brain was frozen, and his eyes fixed by the spectacle unfolding before him.
It felt like a repeat of her striptease in the mill. This time, it was even more arousing. He knew how beautiful she was and could fill in the blanks the shadow didn't reveal.
Diego reached out his hand to open the door further.

Victoria was standing next to her dressing table and began washing herself.
In tearing, slowly sweeps, Victoria moved a cloth over her face, arms, breasts and the rest of her body.
Ending by stroking the triangle between her legs.
Never, not even in his wildest dreams, had Diego fantasized witnessing anything more sensual.

For a moment, she disappeared out of sight behind the chamber screen. When she returned to his vision, Diego saw she had pulled on a nightgown reaching till over her knees. Victoria took a seat on the chair by the dressing table and pulled out the hairpins one by one. Long hair fell over her shoulders. How he wished he could bury his nose in the black curls and smell the sweet scent.
He wished the brush she used to brush her hair in long strokes were his fingers. Her hair was as soft as satin, and he loved the way her curls tickled his chest when she bent over him to kiss him or lick his chest.

Diego swallowed, his mouth felt dry to the touch. His pants were unbecomingly tight. His eyes began to hurt because he didn't want to blink. Diego didn't even feel the thorns of the rose he was holding digging in his palm. All he could think was Victoria and how much he loved her.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, stepped forwards. There was no turning back had he wanted to. He loved her, needed her, body and soul. Diego pushed the curtains aside.

And what he saw then, he wished never to see it again.

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