Chapter 5

Los Angeles.

In the two weeks since Teo told them the stunning news, the four de le Vegas had talked endlessly, both with each other and with Teo, about the honour that was being bestowed upon their family. Don Alejandro had been predictable in his discussions, with his strong support of the Spanish throne and had told Diego that it was an honour that he should not decline but it was his decision to make and he would support his son no matter what he decided.

It was much harder for both Victoria and Felipe to come to terms of the offer and what it meant to them as a family.

For Felipe, he had the same concerns as when Diego had first mentioned that he wanted to adopt him; inheritance. They had previously discussed and agreed upon a number of issues including that he would only inherit the ranch if there were no other sons to take over from Diego but now that would all change. They discussed it at length with Teo, who again re-assured Felipe that as the elder son, he did not automatically acquire the title upon the death of Diego and he even told them that if no-one claimed the title within forty years, it becomes null and void.

However Felipe also saw it as an opportunity to study law at the same university that his father went to. He knew that Diego would send him to Madrid if that was what he wanted but he wasn't as adventurous as the older man had been. He needed the support of his family close by him and when he was gently questioned by his father for this belief, he admitted that his lack of confidence on being on his own was due to his inability to speak; he was accepted here in Los Angeles, everyone knew him and he knew them and even though he would have studied law with their own lawyers in Santa Barbara, he was only several days journey away from home in case anything went wrong or if he just feeling lonely and isolated.

Diego had been startled by this discovery; he didn't realise that his son's lack of speech had affected him in this way and he felt a surge of guilt that he hadn't really thought that deeply about it and he promised Felipe that from now on, they would restart the daily regimen that they had began awhile ago but due to many different reasons, his good intentions to have Felipe speak again had disappeared out the window. Felipe had done it once to save his life, so it was highly probably that he could re-learn to use his voice if they just put in the time and effort.

Victoria had many concerns about becoming a Marquesa. She knew that people would treat her differently than Diego, especially by the other women, simply because she wasn't one of them; one of the upper class. Even though Los Angeles was far away from the strict class structure in Europe, she had still seen a number of the local caballero wives who had looked down at everyone who wasn't part of their class. She hated that kind of snobbery, especially in a harsh place that their district could be, where everyone helped their neighbours regardless of their background.

She was also worried about her lack of education. It had nothing to do with reading and writing; which she did exceedingly well but she knew nothing of the finer points of society like the arts and music, history, politics or even fashion. Diego already knew about some of them, having been raised in more genteel surroundings than the noisy and sometimes violent tavern that she had been raised in; although her parents protected them from the worst of it. She was also worried about what the position of Marquesa actually meant for her; would she have duties to perform and if so what would they be? How was she to conduct herself? Where would they live?

These were also questions that Diego wanted to know as well including the task that the King wanted him to do; he doubted it would be anything to do with the military as he had never served in either the Army or the Navy and he also doubted it would be any kind of political appointment for again he had no experience in such matters but he would not make his decision based on what this task may or may not entail.

They were both surprised when Teo informed that they would have a luxurious villa in Madrid along with a number of servants to run the household and an aide de camp to help Diego with his duties, while the King had not yet decided on whether he would give them part of the original estate of the last Marqués from two hundred years ago; it was in a very bad state and most of the lands had been sold off long ago to pay for the debt the family had incurred. If they decided to accept the position, Teo had offered to guide them both in the ways of the nobility before they reached Madrid and other than what the King wanted Diego to do, he advised them that their duties would be up to them to work through.

So after much discussion for and against, Diego had agreed to become the Marqués of Villafranca.

But now the de la Vega hacienda was in chaos; there was so much to do, so much to organise before they all left for Spain. Don Alejandro needed to find a reliable manager for the ranch; not that he didn't trust their head vaquero, he did but since he was planning to be away for five, perhaps six months, he needed to ensure that his interests were protected. He knew that this would be the very last time that he would travel to Spain and he would use this opportunity to see the remaining members of his family as well as his old friends before he returned to Los Angeles and live out the remaining years of his life there; he planned to be buried beside his wife and children.

While Diego and Victoria also wanted someone to oversee the tavern in case there was something that Mendoza couldn't handle or needed a major decision to be made. They talked it over with one of Don Alejandro's oldest friends, Don Roberto and he agreed to look after both the ranch and tavern while they were away.

Not that Don Roberto was going to refuse to help his friends especially when the reason became clear to everyone. The people of Los Angeles were flabbergasted at the news; some were proud that one of their own was to become part of the Spanish Nobility, while others muttered under their breath about the wealthy always sticking together and that the Spanish had no rights in California anymore.

Whenever the de la Vegas came into the pueblo, they couldn't help but notice the change in their friend's attitude and at first it was annoying that everyone would stopped whatever they were doing and just stared at them, to have all conversations cease whenever they walked by and they knew they were the subject of their chatter but there was nothing they could do about it except to try and ignore it as best as they could.

The Port of San Pedro.

Victoria gazed at the ship that was to take them to Spain. "Its big." she remarked as she stood on the busy docks. The Isabella was an eighty foot fully rigged ship with three large masts placed evenly from bow to stern; which she would later learn to be the foremast, the mainmast and the mizzenmast along with the jib-boom at the bow.

Diego chuckled. "Just wait until you spend the next month and half on her, then you won't think her so big." he replied as he watched a number of sailors climb the rigging to unfurl the sails in preparation to leave with the outgoing tide, while others lowered cargo down in the depths of the ship.

Don Alejandro chuckled as he glanced at Teo. "I guess it's too small for you Teo." he teased.

"I'll have you know that I am a rather good sailor." he growled. He wasn't looking forward to going around Cape Horn again, it had been a terrible time fighting against the strong winds and he had spend much of the time on his bunk, trying hard to ignore his seasickness.

Felipe wasn't listening to the conversation around him; his attention was focused on the Isabella. Ever since Diego had first brought him to San Pedro when he was ten, he had been impressed by the fearlessness and the agility of the sailors as they climbed up and down the tall masts and he always wondered what the view would be like from the top.

"When do we go aboard?" Victoria asked curiously.

"It shouldn't be too long." Don Alejandro replied as he looked around. "They usually make sure that most of the cargo is on board before letting any passengers on. Ahh, here we go." he added as he saw one of the ship's officers walking in their direction.

"Good afternoon Señora, Señores, my name is Jose Hortes and I'm the second officer of the Isabella. I'm sorry for the wait but you are free to embark now." He smiled politely at the family who was sailing all the way to Spain with them.

Don Alejandro smiled back. "Gracias Señor Hortes." he replied as they began walking in the direction of the gangway. "Have our cabins been arranged?"

Hortes nodded. "Yes, all your cabins are ready and I believe that your trunks are already inside. If you see Gonzales at the top of the gangway, he will show you to your assigned cabins."

"Muchas gracias."

The de la Vegas and Teo walked carefully up the wooden gangway and were greeted by a rough looking character, whose weather beaten face made him appear ten years older than he actually was.

"Buenos dias Señora, Señores. If you will follow me, I'll show you to your cabins. " Gonzales said with a pleasant smile.

"Gracias." Don Alejandro replied as they followed him to a large hatchway and down the steep steps leading to the deck that held the passenger cabins.

Victoria frowned as she saw the narrow steps and had to lift her skirts so it wouldn't catch on the rough wood before she carefully made her way down. The first thing that struck her when she reached the bottom was the smell; it was a combination of salt, damp wood, a mustiness due to a lack of good ventilation, stale smoke and something else that she didn't want to think to much about. The second thing was the darkness but as her eyes adjusted, she realised that there were several burning lanterns lining the walls which cast an eerie glow over the dark wood.

"Are you okay?" Diego asked softly, knowing that this was the first time that she had set foot on a ship and that she was somewhat anxious about it.

She smiled. "I'm okay, now that I can see."

He smiled re-assuringly. "Yes it can be rather disorientating coming from the light into semi darkness." he replied as they walked down the narrow corridor where the others were waiting.

"These are your cabins, numbers four to seven, with Doña and Don Diego de la Vega in number four, Don Alejandro de la Vega you have cabin five, Don Felipe de la Vega cabin six and Don Cervantes you have cabin seven. The doors only lock from the inside so I would suggest you keep any valuables with you." Gonzales advised them. "The passenger's sala is further down the corridor, where you can sit during the day and it is also where all meals will be served. We'll be making way within the hour and you're free to come on deck during that time and if you have any questions during the voyage, my cabin is at the far end and if I'm not there, I'll be on duty."

Diego smiled. "Gracias Señor."

Gonzales smiled before he turned and left them.

"Shall we settle in before we go back on deck to watch the crew weigh anchor and set sail." Don Alejandro grinned as he laid his hand on his grandson's shoulder. "I'm sure I'm not the only one who is amazed by how easy the sailors make it look."

Felipe grinned at his grandfather and signed.

Diego smiled and shook his head. "No, I don't think the Captain would allow you to climb the ropes, it's rather dangerous."

"And how would you know that Diego?" Teo teased.

Diego cleared his throat. "Ummm well, it...just looks dangerous." he muttered as he fumbled with the door handle. He had no intention of telling his father and especially not Felipe, of what had happened when he first sailed to Spain when he was about Felipe's age and how he had almost slipped to his death while climbing up the rigging at the friendly urging of the crew. Or perhaps he should, as a warning to the younger man.

Don Alejandro chuckled and shook his head as he opened the door to his cabin. "Yes, it certainly looks dangerous, doesn't it son?" he replied. He had a strong suspicion of what his son may have done, after all he himself had done any number of foolish things as a youth when he had been away from home; although climbing the rigging of a ship had not been one of them. "Perhaps not as dangerous as riding that black stallion of yours."

Diego choked as he finally opened the door; so his father had guessed about his youthful misdeeds but he couldn't believe that his father would talk about his favourite horse, whom he had put out to pasture with the mares months ago. In the semi-darkness he saw Felipe's and Victoria's grins but Teo looked confused; he did not know the secret and he wanted it kept that way.

"Until later then." He replied as he hurriedly ushered his wife inside the cabin before his father could say anything else.

"Diego..!" Victoria was a little surprised and somewhat amused that he all but pushed her into their cabin and closed the door behind them.

"Sorry but father was a little too free with his words even if it was only a vague reference to Toronado. Even though Zorro is 'dead', we still need to keep the identity a secret and even though I trust Teo, I just prefer to keep the knowledge to us." he replied quietly, seriously.

She nodded. "I understand." she replied as she looked around the small semi-dark cabin; it was smaller than her old bedroom at the tavern. The bed was narrow and attached to the wall with a coarse blanket covering it and she wondered if it could hold both of them but she assumed it could otherwise the cabin wouldn't be assigned to them. Above the bed there was an small open port hole that was allowing some fresh air inside and she noticed that it could be closed by a strong wooden hatch cover and in the corner was a there small table that was bolted to the floor and a single chair. Their trunks took up another corner and there was a lantern hanging from the ceiling.

"I know it's small but it's only for sleeping in." He said somewhat apologetically as he gazed around.

"It's alright, I wasn't expecting a grand room." she replied as she finished looking around their cabin and faced him with a warm smile. "Is this going to be Zorro's latest adventure?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "No, it's going to be Diego's and Victoria's latest adventure." he replied.