From this chapter on the timeline picks up at the end of chapter 1.
Chapter 4
December 5, Los Angeles, the office of de Soto.
Uncomfortably, Diego sat a bit straighter. He had many secrets, and he dared to doubt whether de Soto was referring to his greatest secret.
As far as he knew de Soto, it was much more in his nature to have handled things differently had he suspected him having secret identity.
De Soto was a man who first acted and drew conclusions before asking questions. And then only the questions that suited him, rather than those that would reveal the truth. Like when de Soto had accused his father of being Zorro. De Soto had not wondered why Zorro's physique had suddenly changed. Nor why Zorro suddenly was at least twenty years older. No, de Soto had dismissed all reasonable questions as the fox's cunning.
So if de Soto had, somehow, linked Diego de la Vega to his archrival Zorro, don Diego would not have been invited to the office.
Don Diego would probably get arrested on entering the pueblo, and he would be standing on the gallows' scaffold at this very moment.
This thought made Diego smile and remark nonchalantly. "Then you know more than I do. Tell me, what deep secret am I trying to keep so anxiously hidden?"
De Soto let a long silence fall, during which the tension rose. Diego heard his blood rushing through his veins. De Soto slowly pressed his fingertips together.
"I unravelled your most profound and hidden soul stirrings."
Diego froze, wondering whether de Soto knew more than he was letting on. He braced himself for man-to-man combat.
Had de Soto indeed discovered Zorro's identity, Diego was determined not to get caught. On the wall behind the desk hung two ceremonial swords. These were blunt and almost useless in a fight. Diego did not doubt that if he were to get his hands on one, he would defeat de Soto and make a successful escape.
Again de Soto let a silence fall, rubbing his index finger and thumb over his beard.
During the past days, de Soto had often visited the tavern and kept his eyes open. He no longer doubted that he was on to something that could change things.
Having become more clever over the years in not immediately jumping to conclusions, de Soto had thought about how to go about it.
Over the past few days, he had made several casual remarks to Victoria Escalante to find out if she suspected the don's secret. Victoria had stared at him in surprise and then laughed derisively, saying his suggestion was laughable. So the woman didn't know that her friend kept secrets from her.
What would her reaction be if she found out? Would she react as Anna Sophia had done?
Ah, Anna Sophia. De Soto felt heartbroken as he reminisced about the woman he once loved.
Noticing Diego was anxiously waiting, de Soto scrapped his throat.
"So, I've decided I want to help you."
"Help?" Diego cried confusedly. "With what?" Hiding his relief. When de Soto was offering his help. Whatever it was, de Soto thought to have discovered. It couldn't have anything to do with Zorro.
"Diego, Diego," Compassioned de Soto shook his head. "To me, you don't have to deny it. I've seen the way you look at the woman." De Soto chuckled. "Fervently hoping for a moment's attention. Drooling and begging like a hungry street dog begging for an piece of old bread. You are in love with..., Victoria Escalante."
De Soto silently enjoyed Diego's reaction. How on earth had the simpleton thought to keep such a secret. When de Soto's attention got drawn to it, many things suddenly became clear.
Such as why the don chooses to eat almost daily in the tavern. While there was a fine cook in the hacienda.
And why the don took so much trouble over his appearance, insisting he is following the latest European fashion. Why the man was always so kind and helpful towards her.
Diego did his best to impress a woman who, in terms of love, paid no attention to him at all because she was in love with someone else.
"Believe it or not. But I do feel sorry for you." De Soto cleared his throat. "It is hard to be in love with a woman who completely ignores your feelings. I have been there. Of course, it was many years ago. Women are known to play dirty tricks with a man's heart."
Diego rose from the chair. "I'm sorry, alcalde, but you're mistaken. Victoria is a good friend of my family and always is of great support to me and my father. That's all there is, nothing more to it."
Diego walked to the door and was about to grab the handle when de Soto squeezed himself between him and the door.
"Listen, you dimwit. Women think they can play us. And with us, I mean us men. You have to keep in mind, they are simple creatures who are easy to influence. Yes, the señorita embarrasses herself with declarations of love for that masked idiot. You can do something about it. You have something that that fool doesn't have, and no woman can resist. I offer you my help, guidens and advice. I suggest you use it to your advantage. You do, exactly, as I say. And I promise you that within a month, Victoria Escalante has forgotten she ever felt anything for Zorro."
"Sorry, alcalde," Diego uttered, feeling rather shaken. "That seems impossible to me. Besides, I don't need your help. Because, as I said, I feel nothing for señorita Victoria except friendship. So if you're so kind as to excuse me, I have work to do."
De Soto stepped aside, and Diego opened the door and stepped out.
"Suit yourself. Just know that I discovered your secret." De Soto let a silence fall. "And I know how you can get her."
Diego turned around, curious about de Soto's motives for 'helping' him. "And exactly what is it you think I possess that Zorro does not?"
De Soto grinned. "Money, of course."
He conspiratorially put his hand on Diego's shoulder and tried to push him back into the office. "You see, love is highly exaggerated. It is fleeting and passes. In the end, all women will see reason. Money has a more reliable value."
He whispered in the don's ear. "And your father has that in abundance. You just have to remind her of it."
Quickly, Diego weighed his options. De Soto wanted to help him win over Victoria. Why on earth? Yet something in his heart began to glow. Should Victoria be willing to accept don Diego without the black mask. At the same time, Diego takes an effort in making de Soto believe that a plan actually might succeed. Then Diego might be able to marry Victoria in front of de Soto without risking their lives.
Diego took two steps backwards.
De Soto began to grin and quickly closed the door behind him.
"Listen, this is what I think you should do."
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December 7, The garden of hacienda de la Vega.
"No, I won't do it." Diego spoke in a firm tone.
De Soto irritably barred his nostrils.
De Soto and Diego were in the garden. On the table next to them lay several weapons. Among them was an elegantly decorated beginner's sword.
"Alcalde, you know I am unable to handle such a weapon. And by carrying such a thing, I only risk of getting challenged to a duel or, worse, ending up in a plain fight."
De Soto responded wearily. "You only have to carry a sword. You don't have to use it. Heaven forbid." The last remark was more a loud whisper de Sito made. "Remember what I told you. Women like men who openly carry a weapon. Why do you think so many women fall for officers?"
Diego looked sullenly out of his eyes.
"Women love to see men in uniform." De Soto explained his obvious answer.
Diego shook his head. "You said women loved money." He muttered.
De Soto counted to ten for the umpteenth time in the past hour. "They. Do. Love. Money. But to let the señorita notice you, you must first show her you have that little" While waving his hand in search for the correct word. "extra."
"What extra?" Diego urged de Soto.
"The thing needed for Victoria is to remind her, you are a man."
Diego muttered offensive. "She knows I am a man." Hesitantly he added. "I guess."
"No, she thinks you are nothing!"
Diego widened his eyes to express a feeling of disbelief. "And carrying a sword will make Victoria think I am a man?"
De Soto was at the end of his patience. "You, carrying a sword, will make her believe you are willing to defend yourself. And are willing to fight when needed."
"But I don't want to fight. And I refuse to carry a sword. I find the scabbard uncomfortable. It's too heavy around my waist." Diego complained.
"Fine, fine." De Soto conceded to get rid of the continuous whining. "How about a dagger instead? Those are a lot lighter and smaller. Some are true fashion items. Just buy a nice one, and I suppose a dagger could be an option."
Diego hesitated. "I don't know. Isn't that dangerous? What happens when I fall. I could hurt myself?"
"Don Diego, you must put some effort into this and make some sacrifices. Do you want señorita Escalante to marry you or not?"
"I do. I merely don't want to carry any weapons. Is that so bad?"
De Soto did his best to keep his patience. What on earth had he got himself into? "Yes, that is bad. A woman like señorita Escalante wants to feel protected."
Diego muttered. "Victoria can handle most men just fine."
The man was hopeless. Irritated, de Soto said.
"Just, do as I say! Pick a weapon to carry. NO! Not that one!" De Soto shrieked as he rushed to the table to get the weapon out of the don's hands.
Diego had picked up a gun from the table for a closer look.
"It is loaded. Knowing your clumsiness, actual accidents might happen. Stick to a sword or dagger. At least they can't go off suddenly."
"I could carry an unloaded pistol," Diego suggested, seeing how de Soto was getting more irritated by every remark he made.
"You said your idea is carrying a weapon to make a good impression. And an unloaded pistol…, well, I guess I can handle that."
De Soto had enough of the don's endless complaints. "We'll continue to discuss this later. You don't have to decide right away. Let's go on practising. Take your sword and listen to what I'm going to say."
De Soto picked up a blunt-tipped sword from the ground and assumed the starting position.
"Ignacio, no offence, but are you sure it's wise you being the one to give me fencing lessons? I've seen you fight Zorro, and well, that didn't always end well."
That moron could really piss you off, de Soto thought. He put the sword on his shoulder and muttered.
"That's because Zorro doesn't follow the rules. In Spain, I was an apprentice to Juan Ariztimuño. And I corresponded with Pedro Diamanté for years. Those names probably don't mean anything to you, but both are famous fencing masters."
Diego interrupted him. "I think..., "
"Don Diego, do me a favour. Stop thinking and start listening to me! When you think you can do better on your own, go ahead, by all means. So far, I don't think you've achieved anything at all. All you did for years was drool over the señorita."
Diego did secretly enjoy de Soto and how he tried to make the weak Diego de la Vega irresistible to Victoria.
He did not yet know what de Soto's motives were. It probably had to do with a plan to catch Zorro. In any case, by pretending to cooperate, he knew what De Soto was doing. And de Soto had less time to bother the people of Los Angeles.
Since the day before yesterday, he called de Soto by his first name.
Diego confided Felipe, who was weeding in a different part of the garden. He suspected that Felipe was constantly trying to hold back his laughter. Diego had trouble keeping a straight face as well. He could see that every word he spoke irritated de Soto. Still, de Soto did not give up, and they had been working on the 'fencing lesson' for over three hours.
De Soto swung his sword around a bit. "Well, let's see whether you paid any attention to what I taught you. Give me your best salute."
Diego picked up the other practice sword. He made a bow and exaggerated swaying gesture, exactly as de Soto had shown him earlier.
"Mwah, reasonable. Next time, bend a little deeper and remember to look your opponent in the eye. One more time, from the top."
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Let me know what you think. Who knows, I might post the next chapter sooner than planned. ;)