Because it is too much fun not to ignore the previous chapter.

Chapter 6

Diego de la Vega.

Why, why could she not get this man out of her mind?
The entire reason why she was here on her Sunday afternoon off was because of that obnoxious man.

Ever since the conversation with Pilar, he had been recurring in her mind all the time. Five days ago, for example, Victoria had mindlessly put up the ingredients to bake several apple pies.
It was only when Pilar had teasingly mentioned that she may need some apples for apple pie that Victoria had realized she was preparing a flan. The dessert which she knew was Diego's favourite. To avoid arousing the suspicion of her helpers, Victoria had pretended that she intended to serve a flan that day. None of the guests had even noticed or made a complaint that there had been no apple pie that day.

Later that day, Victoria had been working with Pilar on the serving. By now, everyone knew about the soirée planned by Alejandro de la Vega. And so Victoria had resolutely resolved that if she was to get invited. She would say that she was regrettably unable to attend.
The women had literally been close enough for less than two seconds to hear the other's conversation.
And at that very moment, don Diego had decided it was the ideal opportunity to personally ask Victoria to come to the soirée his father was planning. And invite the family friend to honour them with her company.
How on earth did he manage it?!

Pilar had looked at her in a challenging way, with a face like 'if you refuse, I know enough'.
Don Diego was, of course, unaware of the difficult situation he had put her in. Victoria had understood that to avoid awkward questions from her friend, she had no choice but to accept the invitation whilst smiling.
Thankfully, she had been able to draw the line at the don's subsequent suggestion. Friendly yet polite, Victoria had refused Diego's offer to pick her up and bring her home later.
That was hardly suspicious, considering how often she had done that.

And so here she was. At the de la Vega hacienda. Against her will, forced to have cheerful, amicable chats with people she hardly knew.
At the moment, Victoria was listening to the piano played by the man, which made her heart beat faster on the rare occasions when he looked at her.
She had preferred to sit on a high, uncomfortable chair in the furthest corner of the drawing-room/library, as far away from the piano as possible.

At the moment, her thoughts were not only with don Diego.
Victoria was gnashing through her teeth at the thought of how she got tricked by Pilar.
The woman had deliberately and knowingly told half-truths.

Señorita Juliana Guillermo was indeed a member of the many guests. And she was indeed a cousin of don Martinez.
What Pilar had forgotten to mention was the fact señorita Juliana was an unmarried older cousin of don Martinez. If Victoria had understood correctly, their mothers had been sisters.
The woman was indeed amiable and intelligent.
Whether consciously or unconsciously, her helper had forgotten to mention that the woman's age was now closer to fifty than forty.
Señorita Juliana had worked as a governess for several wealthy families for years. The last family she had been in service, the children had reached an age where a governess no longer was needed.
Señorita Juliana had then been invited by don Martinez to visit Los Angeles.
On the day, señorita Juliana, accompanied by doña Sophia, the wife of don Martinez, had entered the pueblo in a carriage to visit the pueblo on market day. Victoria had been careful not to let Pilar discover how relieved she felt.
Had Victoria not done so, her helper would surely have put all kinds of illusions into her head that were definitely not true.

Because of his wife's illness, don Martinez had had the idea of asking his niece to come to Los Angeles. In a few weeks, señorita Juliana would travel back to Monterey in the company of Maria, the don's eldest daughter, and introduce her to the better circles of the capital.
Dona Sophia had weak health and could not cope with the dangerous, long journey. The girl was by then seventeen and not particularly pretty. But with a substantial dowry, don Martinez hoped to find a respectable husband for his eldest daughter.

As it turned out, don Diego, as he had with any other woman, would show no interest in señorita Juliana. Victoria felt she could breathe a bit easier.
Although, she had plenty of other things on her mind.

"Victoria, you are so quiet. Aren't you enjoying yourself?" A familiar, friendly voice entered Victoria's thoughts.

It was don Alejandro approaching her carrying a glass of wine.
"From previous times, I seem to remember that you can certainly appreciate a fine piece of music, whether played well."

Victoria glanced at the don with an apologetic smile. It was impolite of her to let her thoughts drift off like that and seem so indifferent.
"I was a little distracted. The music don Diego is playing is lovely. I don't remember hearing it before. Do you know the name of this piece?"

"No, I have no idea. It's most likely by some European composer. You know how Diego is. Ask him the difference between a rifle and a pistol, and he doesn't have a clue to what you are referring. Ask him if he's read any interesting books, and two hours later, he's still going on about it."
The don sighed wearily. "It's time for that boy to get married. A wife and a couple of babies will be enough of a distraction from all that scholarly stuff. When I was his age, I was married for over five years. And my child was almost four."

Again, Victoria felt that painful sting. "Well." She responded somewhat absently, "We're not all the same. And maybe that's just for the better."

The don looked at the woman next to him, misinterpreting the painful grimace on her face.
"Sorry, Victoria. I forgot that essentially you and I have the same dream. We both long for a happy marriage. You, for you and Zorro, and me for my son. And for both of us, due to factors beyond our control, the dream seems further away than ever."

Victoria brought her glass to her lips. In an attempt to hide how much the words of the don had touched her.

When she was able to answer again, Victoria lazed at the don. A touch melancholy, she said. "But as long as we don't have anything better to do, we might as well continue to dream."

Civilized applause sounded, making it known that the piece of music don Diego had been playing had ended. Victoria and Alejandro also clapped their hands a few times.
After this, the don excused himself and went off to rejoin his other guests.

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