Chapter 1
"Another year." Diego muttered. "And still I am no closer to ridding the pueblo of the governmental tyranny than when I started."
Diego sighed and stood to stretch out his cramped muscles. He'd spent too long bending over the press, setting the type for this week's edition.
"How much longer can I hold off my life, for the freedom associated with my alter ego?"
Diego had become restless with his seemingly stagnant life. His father's gentle, and very obvious, probing about his son's marital status, or lack thereof, as well as his own carefully restrained desires regarding Victoria, had combined to cause him to have second thoughts as to how to proceed with his masked persona.
Diego had no doubt that life with Victoria would keep him on his toes and very occupied. But how to proceed with that goal had eluded him until last night. While researching an article for The Guardian, Diego had stumbled across an idea that if executed properly, would give him the opportunity to romance Victoria as himself.
He had the opportunity to reveal his identity after his brother had died and he couldn't bring himself to do it. Something, some mental block, prevented this most personal revelation. So, instead of fighting with himself for Victoria's affections, he would slowly begin to loose the foppish personality he had so painstakingly created to hide his similarities to Zorro. But he would have to be careful. Only Victoria could see that the similar qualities between her dear friend and her masked love.
The masquerade had to stop, at least for his family and loved ones. He could no longer keep them in the dark about his identity. The only glitch in his plan would be that he would have to keep his fake personality in public. So the alcalde would not be able to discover his double life.
How to do that would take a little more thought, but he was certain that the solution would come to him. In the meantime, he would put the first phase of his plan into motion with the next issue of The Guardian.
Diego and Felipe were on hand as the newest edition of The Guardian was distributed among the people. The little paper, which Diego had volunteered to edit at the gentle urging of his father, had become dear to his heart. It had also given him a reason to spend more time in town. And his eyes certainly never hurt when gazing across the plaza at the lovely tavern owner.
The paper had become popular over the years and Diego had to give credit where credit was due. Doña Corazon and Señor Estomago were popular features in the paper as were his own articles. He had been blessed with the ability to move people with the written word and he took every advantage he could, without causing traitorous suspicions, to urge the people to stand up for themselves and their rights as Spanish citizens. Perhaps with enough gentle prodding, Zorro would no longer be needed one day soon.
Diego's eyes caught Victoria's form as she rushed up to secure her copy of the paper. He handed her the parchment with a satisfying smile that caused her to take a second look at the handsome caballero.
"Why you look quite content today, Diego." Victoria observed, stepping out of the way of the crowd behind her requesting the latest edition.
Diego shook his head slightly. "Do I?"
A chuckle bubbled from her lips and she shook her head. "Oh Diego."
He took the chance and rested a gentle hand on her arm. " I guess I do enjoy publishing the paper." He admitted with a smile. "I feel like I am contributing something to the education of the people."
She glanced down at the paper she held as Diego turned to distribute another paper to a waiting customer. Her eyes caught the article on the first page, and she stopped to read the title. The type used was not one she had seen before, and therefore stood out to her inquisitive eye. The Martyr and Romance of St. Valentine.
Being a female and therefore being extremely curious about the mention fo St. Valentine, she began reading it immediately. It began with a history of the Roman Saint and how he had been brutally executed for disobeying a Roman Emperor's decree; A decree that forbade any marriages from being performed due to the stability of the country. They were embroiled in a bloody war and the Emperor, in an effort to enlist more men in the defense of the country, forbade marriage saying that men were less likely to leave their homes when they had a wife and family behind.
One of the Bishops, Valentine, invited lovers to come to him and he would perform their marriage ceremonies in secret. When the Emperor discovered what Valentine had done, he had him brutally executed.
Traditionally, February was a time for courtship and marriage of young Roman males. And before the time of Valentine and continuing until just after his execution, the Roman males would hold a lottery each year. Young woman would volunteer and their names would be placed in a box to be drawn out by the young, eligible men.
These women became the young man's rise to maturity. They remained with the man for a year, until another drawing was held.
Diego cast an appreciative glance at Victoria, who was obviously engrossed in an article. Judging by the smile burned into her features, he was correctly assuming she was reading his article on St. Valentine.
He could only chuckle when passers by tried to capture the young woman's attention. She looked up, a blank look across her features, smiled and resumed her reading.
Suddenly she chuckled and looked at Diego, who, she realized, had been watching her reaction to the article rather intently.
He smiled and looked away, quickly masking the desire she would have noticed burning in his eyes. When he turned to look at her again, she was smiling.
"Well what an intriguing idea, Diego." She commented, the smile never leaving her lips.
His eyebrows raised in a questioning glance. "Hmm? What was that, Victoria?"
She smacked his arm playfully and retorted. "You know exactly what I am talking about. You are suggesting that a lottery be held in the pueblo just like what was done in Ancient Rome all those centuries ago."
He nodded, as if for the first time realizing what she was talking about. " Ah, the author suggested that , yes."
"You mean you did not write that article?" Victoria shook her head. "I didn't think so. An article on romance seems to be so out of your league. If I didn't know better, I'd think someone was trying to move in on my own column!"
Diego smiled warmly and rested his hand gently on her wrist. Even that small gesture sent a surge of desire rushing straight through his body. "Nonsense. Doña Corazon is one of the paper's most popular columns. Never could it be replaced." He winked at her, causing her to take a momentary pause, before releasing her wrist to hand out another paper.
"So who did write it?"
Diego, lost in his own thoughts on the subject, missed the first time Victoria asked the question.
"Hm? Oh." Diego smiled, greeting a citizen as they passed by. "The article?"
"Yes, Diego. " Victoria sighed. He was in his own little world today. " The article."
"I'm sorry, Señorita. " Diego smiled widely, and it was obvious to Victoria that he didn't want her to know. "Those who write for the paper have the choice of anonymity, you know that."
She sighed. "And the author does not want to be known? Or recognized for his, or her, talents?"
"Apparently not." Diego grinned and asked quickly, "Are you planning on putting your name in the box?"
The question caught her off guard and she smiled. "I don't know. It seems kind of old fashioned to me."
Diego couldn't suppress a small chuckle. " Ah, and we know that you are a modern woman." As an afterthought, Diego added . "Ancient customs had their place in the old world, as they still do in some places of the new."
Diego's statement caught her off guard. It sounded like he supported the article's suggestion. Certainly she thought of ancient customs of the old times to be appealing but the controlling nature of many of those customs disgusted her as well. "I suppose." She admitted, willing to wait to provide a true and unbiased opinion once the entire event was concluded.
"Glad to hear it." Diego smiled widely and Victoria stared at the young man beside her. That had not been the reaction she had expected to hear from the quiet caballero. What interest did he have in romance?
"My father will be handling the lottery box, may I have your permission to add your name?"
Victoria blinked and regarded her childhood friend carefully. Again, another surprise from the man. She had not expected him to be so-excited. She pushed back an involuntary chuckle. Maybe he was more interested in romance than she had ever given him credit for.
"I suppose so." Victoria answered unemotionally as she thought about this significant change in Diego's demeanor. He was different this morning but she couldn't put her finger on it.