Alonso woke an hour later, with all symptoms settled. He felt another twinge of rage as he remembered drinking the potion expecting different results. It was a lot better to be able to sit, and actually stand without nausea and dizziness. The drowsiness that had settled so deeply had vanished. Diego probably meant well, but he had never been so maddened by someone in his life.

He made his way slowly to the library, to at least try to get his bearings. He had been resting most of the time he had been at the hacienda, and didn't even feel like he knew where everything was. His life as an agent had taught him to adapt quickly, and if it was easier to take Diego's place, then he'd try. People close to his cousin would probably pick the differences very quickly, but he would do his best.

Alonso scanned the bookcases to try to get some insight into his cousin. Nothing stood out to him, the titles were all normal titles, books any gentleman could be expected to own. Some of them were probably even Don Alejandro's favourites. A small writing desk near the window was mostly bare, but there was a small stack of books on the table top.

He picked up the top book, and read "The Adventures of Robin Hood," and smiled slightly. Removed from the shelves, it seemed more important. More personal. A stack of letters lay next to the books, and the first was addressed to the Governor of California. The next letter was addressed to an Spanish aristocrat that moved in court circles. Close to the King. He resisted the urge to unseal the letters to read them, and examined the next book in the pile. "The Three Musketeers". The remaining books were scientific journals, with bookmarks in place. Alonso had never been very interested in science, but it appeared his cousin was keeping up with most innovations. Diego was studying the journals, combing them for ideas? Why? What would the purpose be?

A servant approached him. He smiled, and nodded.

"Don Diego, I have a message from Senorita Victoria," the servant said, handing Alonso a piece of paper, before leaving.

Alonso sat on a nearby chair, and opened the folded note. Her handwriting was neat for a rushed note. Firm and at the same time delicate in the form of the letters. Someone had taught her to write very well.

Don Diego,

I hate to disturb you when you must be very busy. I believe I have found the boy of the lost children, and need your help. His clothes are in rags and he is in need of a good bath and a good feed. He needs a change of clothes, but I think we should reunite him with his sister in the de la Vega nursery for safe keeping. Please come if you can, and send someone to fetch us if you are delayed.

Your Friend Victoria

He glanced up and decided he would go himself. He didn't have to, but it would make his day more interesting. Victoria trusted Diego to respond immediately in a satisfactory way. Like a brother? Or as something more? He wanted to see if he could fool her as easily as the servant had been fooled. Or Alejandro himself, he remembered - that showed he wasn't as observant with his son as he probably should be.

Was Diego hiding something? Most probably yes, as he felt confident to take his place on the search. His father must be very unobservant, and if Diego wasn't hiding something, he would tell his father of his abilities and insist on being included. He was a very intelligent man, it was obvious in his reading matter. The scientific journals were definitely not light reading.

Yes, he would try his best to emulate his cousin. Maybe fooling his friends would be revenge enough, proving that they didn't truly know him at all? It felt cruel but at the moment he didn't much care. Diego already had an appointment with his fist, although he wasn't aware of that fact.

ZZZ

Diego had ridden with the other men in silence, wondering about how his cousin was. In the end it would work out fine, but if the man was anything like himself he would grow angry and frustrated. He needed rest, and Diego was sure he had done the right thing. His methods were a little outside his comfort zone, in hindsight, but at the time it seemed perfectly reasonable.

He rode on the right side of Sebastian, avoiding too much close contact with his own father, who rode on Sebastian's left. When he had joined the older man, Sebastian had raised his eyebrows, but whether it was his lateness or his identity Diego couldn't tell. He hoped he had better acting skills than to be discovered immediately.

His father didn't seem too fussed about anyone apart from his brother. They had been away from each other for many years, and he was making up for lost time. Alejandro would eventually get around to talk to 'Alonso'. It was a matter of politeness, and his father was polite. He would have to remember he was acting and focus on that, and it would take more concentration than a normal day.

Diego knew he wasn't able to fool his uncle. He didn't know Alonso well enough to fool his own father. They were obviously very close, a lot closer than he and Alejandro. He realised his thoughts were influenced by a tinge of envy, and maybe it had coloured his actions towards his cousin. He owed his cousin an apology, he knew that. He wondered if it would be enough.