Thank you for your reviews. In this chapter the plot gets even more confusing.

September 16th

Victoria staggered, exhausted, and a firm hand held her by the arm. She looked to the side, averting her gaze with difficulty from the coffin that the earth was covering shovelful by shovelful. "Don Alejandro, I didn't expect you to come." Victoria said.

"I wanted to pay my last respects and accompany you at this time."

Victoria nodded and looked back into the grave, where the freshly fallen earth hid the last corner of the coffin. "How is Diego feeling, has there been any improvement?"

"No, he's still the same, and I'm also worried about Felipe. He won't leave his side, I've tried to get him to go to his room to rest, but it's no use. I'll walk you back and go to Dr. Hernandez to see if I can convince him to come with me again."

Victoria nodded, knowing that the doctor would say the same thing as last time and the time before, that the sea water had damaged Diego's lungs, that they had filled with fluid and there was nothing more he could do.

"They haven't opened the coffin. They haven't let me see him. How do I know it was him?" Victoria said in a whisper.

"I saw him, Victoria. You wouldn't have been able to recognize him anyway. It's been almost eight days since he died, and the sea, the fish, and the scavenger birds on the beach disfigured him. It was the birds that made a fisherman suspect that there was a body on that beach. He was wearing black pants, his boots and his belt, and you know his cape was on the beach next to Diego. It was him."

"But something tells me he's not dead. I can't explain it, I just know."

"I'm sorry, maybe in time..."

She nodded, too tired to argue any more.

"If you feel strong enough I also wanted to ask you to come with me. I know you've suffered a hard blow, but Diego is still fighting, there's still hope for him, and I'd like you to come visit him. He's been asking about you and maybe he'll cheer up a little if he sees you."

"I thought he wasn't conscious."

"Most of the time he isn't. When he opens his eyes he looks confused and gives the feeling he wants to say something, but we can barely decipher what he's saying. Your name is one of the few words we've been able to make out."

"I can help take care of him."

"No need, Diego is well taken care of, I just hope your presence will calm him a little, maybe he will get to tell you what it is that torments him."

Victoria closed her eyes, tired of crying. She didn't want to face the possibility of losing Diego too, but she couldn't refuse to go if he needed her. "All right, I'll go to the hacienda, but you'll have to let me help. Diego stood by me when I was hurt and I want to do the same for him."

"Of course you can sit with him for a while, but I don't think you'll get Felipe to leave."

"Then we'll keep him company together."

The doctor agreed to go to the hacienda once more, and Don Alejandro accompanied the doctor and Victoria to their buggy. The short trip passed in silence, and when they arrived Victoria got out, pale, and vomited by the wall. Don Alejandro got out after her and looked at her worriedly, offering his arm for her to lean on. "Are you sick?"

"No, it's just tiredness and lack of sleep, I think." she said as the doctor watched her with a critical eye.

Dr. Hernandez again listened to Diego's breathing, labored and with murmurs indicating congestion.

"He has not improved. Remember not to lay him down completely and try to keep giving him fluids. Check that the room is ventilated but not exposing him to drafts."

"Yes, doctor." Don Alejandro said somewhat absently.

"Señorita Escalante, would you like to talk to me for a moment in private?"

She looked at him startled, but then nodded, and they both headed for the library.

"Is there something you want to consult me about?" the doctor asked in a serene voice.

"Actually...I..."

The doctor waited almost a minute, but she didn't keep talking. "When was your last female cycle?" he said gently.

Victoria looked down. "More than two months ago."

"And I guess you drank the water from soaking the chickpeas (1)" the doctor said in a resigned tone.

She lowered her head further and nodded weakly. "It turned my stomach, but I didn't get my period."

"I'm not sure that method is highly recommended, but it seems to have some efficacy. Have you noticed anything different about your breasts? Do you notice them more sensitive?"

Victoria nodded again and a tear slid down her cheek.

"You need to eat regularly, and sleep through the night. If you feel any pain or have any questions don't hesitate to come to me. I don't judge my patients."

"Thank you, doctor." she said in a broken voice.

"Does anyone else know?"

"Not yet."

"Perhaps I'm overstepping my professional bounds, but Don Alejandro loves you like a daughter, and I'm sure you can turn to him at a time like this."

"Thank you."

Don Alejandro escorted the doctor out the door and then approached the library. Victoria had seated herself in one of the armchairs and was looking toward the bookcase with unfocused eyes.

"Victoria. Are you all right?"

She shook her head.

"My God, I don't know what more misfortunes may befall us, but if I can help you in any way let me know."

She took a deep breath and decided to tell him. "I am expecting a child."

Don Alejandro stood for a minute without speaking, then approached her slowly, as if afraid to frighten her. "I can't find words..." he said at last.

"I will go at once." she said in embarrassment.

"Out of the question." he replied crisply. "Now more than ever you must stay here. You need rest after losing the father of your child in this way."

"You don't want me to leave?"

"Of course not, I'm here for whatever you need." he said. "I'll tell Adela to prepare a guest room." he said "Do you want to send a note to your assistants to take care of the tavern?"

She nodded. "I think they'll be able to manage without me for a few days."

Note:

(1) I don't know where the origin of this home pregnancy test is, nor if it was already known at the time. It is said that soaking chickpeas overnight and drinking the resulting water in the morning, if a woman is late but not pregnant her period will come down in less than 48 hours. Who knows if it works, but in any case I think it must be very effective in causing nausea, whether the woman is pregnant or not.