Chapter 4

Soon, she was being treated like royalty or, at least, like her idea of what royalty would be treated like. The bathroom to which she was led was like no other she had ever seen. And actually, she had only seen one other in her life. Rooms solely dedicated to the act of bathing were indeed a luxury in themselves. But this! This was beyond anything she had ever imagined. The tiles on the floor, the footed bathtub itself, and the soft, thick towels the size of sheets amazed her. She felt like a princess.

She had never really thought much about the rest of the de la Vega home before now. She had been a guest for dinner on many occasions, but she had never even been in this part of the hacienda. She began to wonder now just how rich the de la Vegas were. This room was more elaborately decorated than she would have ever thought them capable of managing in a place like the small pueblo of Los Angeles. It was somewhat mystifying. It was also very feminine.

There were three doors leading from the room. The one she had entered led from the hallway. One other was the one Lupita had used to bring in the hot water. And the third?

She reluctantly stood up and dried herself, savoring every minute of this experience. But now, she wanted to know just where that door led. A light blue, and very expensive looking, robe had been laid out for her on the table nearby and she drew it around her, marveling at its softness. A woman's robe. And just whose…?

Of course! This was Doña de la Vega's robe and probably her private bath. Diego's mother would have had something this fine. The thought saddened Victoria. From all she had heard and the little she remembered of Diego's mother, she knew her to be a very kind and generous lady. A lady worthy of such wealth and comfort. Victoria looked down at the elegant material of the robe and touched it reverently. As she did so, her rough hands caught on the material.

She looked at her own hands. These were the hands of a working girl. Just like those of her own mother. These hands had cooked and cleaned all week long. They had laundered and mended sheets, and repaired broken table legs. They were not the hands of a lady. Victoria sank into the chair beside the table in total despair.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she took another look around the room. No, this would never be a place where she belonged, for she was not a lady, and she couldn't change that. There was nothing that could change that. It was simply a fact. And she had better start facing that fact right now.

The idea that Diego could actually be Zorro took on new meaning. Zorro was classless. He would never care about a difference in their stations. But somewhere, he lived a private life. And if she were right, and he was indeed a caballero, then there existed a great gulf between them that she had never properly considered. Diego and his father had always treated her with the utmost respect. They were that way with everyone. But their sense of propriety was great. Marriage would be quite another story from friendship. She had believed Diego to be rather sweet on her for years now. But, in all that time, he had never really said anything or done anything that she could ever have taken as a romantic overture. What if the reason for that was not just a case of shyness? What if it was a matter of breeding?

Even if Diego had been entertaining thoughts that it would be possible…Well, he hadn't thought it through. His father was of the old school. He would never permit his only son to marry anyone but a Spanish lady. A wellborn Spanish lady. "And that is just something I am not." Victoria whispered to herself through a veil of tears. Though it was easing somewhat, the class barrier still existed. And she was not of the same class as the de la Vegas. It didn't stop them from being friends. But marriage would be out of the question.

She sat and cried for what seemed like a long time. What did she want anyway? Last night, she had believed with all her heart that Diego was Zorro. Now, she wasn't so sure. She wasn't even sure how she felt about Diego. It was difficult to put the two men together in her thoughts. Just because Diego was more muscled than she thought and had blue eyes did not make him Zorro. He certainly had not been the picture of a hero today.

If only she could see Zorro right now and be held by him! He always had a way of making her believe that it would all work out for the best. But if he were really a caballero like Diego….

There was a soft knock on the door. She told Lupita she would be a few more minutes and went about trying to wash the tears from her eyes and making herself presentable.

Soon, she was being ushered by Lupita and another servant girl she did not recognize away to an incredibly warm and inviting bed that perfectly matched the elegance of the bathroom. She remained quiet as she let the two girls minister to her and fuss over her. She didn't want to be any more trouble than she had to be, and right now, she just wanted them to leave so she could be alone with her thoughts.

Ten minutes had not gone by after they left before Don Alejandro was at her door asking if he might come in for a few minutes. She bade him enter and mustered up a smile for the dear man. She had always looked upon Don Alejandro as a sort of second father because he had always treated her so kindly.

"You must pardon my intrusion. But I wanted to have a word with you. Victoria, Lupita tells me that she thinks you are a little upset about something. Is there anything you need to tell me, my child? You know I will do anything in my power to set things right."

"Don Alejandro, everything is just fine. I'm sure I don't know what you mean." She silently cursed herself for her earlier tears. Lupita was obviously very observant.

"You are sure there's nothing you need to tell me. I plan on asking Diego the same question." He was emphasizing his words carefully.

"Don Alejandro, I think I know what you are asking. Believe me, there is nothing more to tell about last night than what Diego has already told you. Your son was a perfect gentleman, as always. I know you are more worried about my reputation than I am. And I think that is so sweet. But there's no need for it. Really. I just want you to know how much I appreciate you for letting me stay here tonight to recuperate. It's most generous of you. And I promise to be on my way home in the morning."

"Victoria, I –"

"Now if you'll excuse me, I am very tired. The trip back today trying to avoid all the storm's damage was quite exhausting. And please don't question Diego. There's really no need for it. Really."

He looked at her sternly one more time. Deciding to believe her, he took his leave and finally she was alone. Alone to enjoy a luxury that could never be hers again.

Don Alejandro made straight for Diego's room. There, he found Diego in deep conversation with Felipe. He always wondered at Diego's ability to understand Felipe's signs so completely.

"Diego, if I might have a word with you." Felipe nodded and signed something quickly to Diego before darting out of the room. "That boy can move so fast…" Alejandro's attention was so easily averted.

"Father, I was just about to climb into bed. Consuela made some herbal tea for me and it has done wonders for my cold, but I do feel a little drowsy. You have something on your mind?"

"I was just wondering… Lupita tells me that Victoria was…well…crying before. I just wanted to know if you knew of a reason for her tears."

"Crying? No, no, I don't. But she was quite emotional last night too. It occurred to me that she might have some latent, inward fears of lightning storms. She has not been herself since we got to that cave last night." Diego saw the seriousness in his father's face. "Father, you surely don't think…Really, father!"

"I don't know what to think. Young girls! It's hard to know what can set them off sometimes. I know that. But, you must admit, you have seriously compromised her by taking her with you yesterday and getting caught in the storm. What were you thinking!"

"How could I know there would be such a storm? I would not have gone myself, Father, if I had known. But she offered to go with me, and I knew I would enjoy the company. It was only to be for the afternoon, after all." Diego changed his tone, subtlety taking control of the conversation. "I will talk to her, Father, and get to the bottom of this. But tonight, I think we should leave her alone and let her get some rest. And I, myself, am in serious need of sleep. This cold is rather draining."

"Very well, Son. I will leave it up to you. But, in the future, you might be wiser in your dealings with Victoria. She has promised herself to another and I think you should remember that. Goodnight, Son."

Diego sighed as the door closed behind his father.