Chapter 15

December 25. Los Angeles, the de la Vega hacienda.

Once back in the hacienda, Diego was the first to retire for the night. He wished everyone goodnight. Alejandro suggested Victoria and Felipe follow the young don's example. In the guest room where Victoria had spent the night many times before, she found a red rose and a note on the bed.

Come to the library. Love, D.

Zorro had left roses on her bed before. She had always felt special on such an occasion. Never had it felt more special than this time. This rose was a symbol of their future. Victoria admired the beautiful flower at top of its perfection. Carrying a smile on her face she sneaked toward the library.

There, Diego was waiting. As soon as she entered, he stood up. It felt exciting to meet a man in secret at this late hour, even if it was her fiancé.

"I want to show you something. Follow me."
Diego walked to the fireplace, fumbled a bit at the right-hand corner, and a panel slid aside.

Victoria, her mouth, fell open. The entrance of the cave was right in the library. She hadn't expected it was in a room where she had been countless times.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the cave with him.

At the bottom of the steps, she remained standing.
"Zorro's cave. Victoria turned around, facing Diego.
"And you're sure your father has no idea about this?" Victoria asked him in puzzlement.

"No, though my father may have a vague suspicion."
Seeing Victoria's questioning look, Diego told his suspicions as they had arisen a few days ago.
"Recently, I heard father mention that his brother may have known about the cave. Uncle Alfonso was my father's eldest brother. He died during the battle of Guernavarca. I heard my father mention Alfonso used to tell him that there was an entrance to an escape route in the master bedroom.
The library is the oldest part of the house. It could well have served as a bedroom at the first beginning of the hacienda. Probably my uncle did not know how to find the entrance either and found pleasure in telling his brothers' exciting tales.
When he did know about it, my uncle has never able or willing to tell my father of the cave's existence."

"Then how did you find out about it?" Victoria curious wanted to know.

"One day, I found the construction plans of the hacienda. It was when I was about to leave for Spain. When I returned, I was curious why in the drawing was a room behind the library and started searching.
I discovered the hacienda got built against this cave. A corridor between the two made the cave an hidden escape route in case of an Indian attack."

"It is amazing. The way it is hidden and the size of it is."

"Victoria, my father, doesn't know. And I am not sure whether I want to tell him."
Diego walked further into the cave to greet Toronado.

Victoria followed, her eyes feasted to take it all in. She had been in here once before. That happened over two years ago.
Some things had changed since that visit. Others were just as she remembered. "Why not? I'm sure he'll be proud of you. And don't you start about it being for his good and safety. Diego, don't you think it is time for him to get to know his son? Your father has lost one son and he hardly truly knows his other son."

Diego was stroking Toronado. He gazed and saw Victoria standing where he always hoped she would stand one day. In the cave, no secrets between them. It made him feel he was the happiest man on earth.
"All right." He gave in to her. "It is long overdue. After Christmas, we'll tell him I am Zorro and of our plans."

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December 27. Los Angeles, the plaza.

A large group of people stood in the plaza. Two carriages were waiting for their passengers to be ready to leave.
From the veranda of the tavern, Diego stood beside his father. The men watched how doña Francisca was screaming instructions to the coachman to fasten their suitcases properly on the roof.
Don Carlos had offered to accompany the family as far as Monterey and had even lend his carriage, so everyone could travel comfortably.

"I predict the chances of Carlos Ortega returning as an engaged or perhaps married man are particularly high," Don Alejandro mumbled. He made no effort to suppress a hint of jealousy.
"Juanita is a lovely girl and will make an excellent doña Ortega."

Diego nodded and remarked casually. "He will get a large and loud in-law, though."

Hopeful, Alejandro looked at his son. "In-laws, who plan to return to Spain in the spring. And that's a few months travel from California."

Internally, Diego chuckled. His father will never give up trying until his son stood at the altar.
"Actually, father," Diego placed his hand on his father's shoulder. "I think you are right. It is about time for me to get married."

His father looked up, happily surprised. "Son, are you serious about this."

Diego nodded in confirmation.

"That's fantastic!" His father tiptoed to get a better gaze on the women waiting next to the coach. "Which of the señoritas did you have in mind? Señorita Isabella would be an excellent choice."

"Mmm. Not Isabella."

"Oh," Alejandro looked slightly mortified. Of the five ladies, she had been his preference. In his mind, he went down the list and cringed slightly.
"Señorita Magdalena is of age to marry and is indeed well-read."
Alejandro struggled to hide the disappointment if his son chose her. The girl was indeed well-read, but half the time had no idea of the content of what she had read. And at the mere thought of Magdalena again playing the valuable instrument his wife had enjoyed so much. It made his heart and ears ache. He had expected better from his son than to choose such a person as a bride.

Diego was still staring ahead as the family prepared to leave. Alejandro watched as the youngest two engaged in a loud discussion about the number of suitcases each had. There was not enough room on the roof, and seemingly Catharina thought it was unfair that her younger sister had a bigger trunk than her.
Doña Francisca admonished the girls to behave themselves. However, she did so in her characteristic manner. In a loud tone, she demanded that everyone consider her poor nerves.

Alejandro cleared his throat. He heard the shrieking voice of doña Francisca. It made him wonder, perhaps, Spain was not that far away. He rejoiced in the idea that his son finally wished to marry. However, he was beginning to suspect that his son's choice would suit him less.
Casually, don Alejandro remarked. "Don't you think Catharina or Lucia are a little too young to marry a man your age?"

"Are you saying I'm old?"

"No, no. I don't mean it like that." Hurried Alejandro to say. "But let me tell you. Diego, you are over thirty, and those girls are not yet seventeen. I think that's pretty young.
Both girls are so sprightly and frivolous. May I advise you, should you consider asking one of them to suggest a long engagement period and wait until your bride is at least eighteen."

"Father!" Diego interrupted his father. This banter had gone on long enough. "I, actually, made my choice on Victoria."

Alejandro stopped talking, thought for a moment and then asked, "Victoria, which Victoria?"

"Our Victoria." Diego pointed in the direction of the tavern.

"Our Victoria?" Repeated Alejandro with an open mouth in amazement. "You don't mean Victoria Escalante? I, I..., You want to marry Victoria!?" Had Diego told him he was already married, don Alejandro could not have been more surprised.

"I have already asked her, and she has given me permission to court her," Diego informed his father.

Alejandro turned to his son and raised a finger in the air.
"Just for the record. You asked Victoria Escalante for courtship, and she agreed?"

"Yes, why are you so surprised? I expected you to be happy."

"I am. I would be honoured to welcome Victoria into the family. But aren't you afraid of what Zorro will do? He won't give her up without a fight."

"Isn't a woman like Victoria worth fighting for?"

"Sure she is." Alejandro hurried to say. "But..., Diego, you're talking about Zorro! And I wonder whether Victoria is able to get over her infatuation with him. She loves him very much."

"As for Victoria, time will have to tell. And Zorro poses neither a threat nor an obstacle. Personally, I am more worried about the alcalde, what he will do."

"De Soto...?" Alejandro burst out laughing, slapping Diego on the shoulder. "Son, you don't think..." He had to wipe the tears from his cheeks. "You're not suggesting de Soto will think you can be Zorro because Victoria has agreed to courtship?"

"Well, father, since you ask..."

His father interrupted him. "Son, let me reassure you. Even de Soto is not stupid enough to think you can be Zorro."
Alejandro took a few steps forward, wanting to say farewell to don Horatio and his family. It took several minutes, and the two older men promised to keep letter contact with each other.

Doña Francisca made yet another contribution in expressing her wish that the families would meet each other again soon. The cheeks of señorita Isabella turned scarlet with embarrassment at the obvious and impudent insinuations her mother made.
It took almost fifteen minutes to say goodbye to all the new acquaintances the Sanchez family had made in their short time in Los Angeles, and for the whole family to board one of the two carriages.
After the carriages disappeared, Alejandro, Diego and Felipe walked into the tavern and took their seats at one of the many free tables.

After Pilar took their order, Alejandro remembered again what he had just talked about to his son.

"Diego, going back to what we spoke of before. Think about what you're getting yourself in. Friendship is a good starting point for marriage. However, you shouldn't confuse it with love. You and Victoria are both adults, and if you both are certain of your choice, I wish you the best of luck. I think you are partly right about Zorro. He loves Victoria very much. Zorro wants her safety and happiness more than his own. Should you two be able to work it out, you have my blessing."

Diego leaned a little closer to his father. "Father, I think it's time I let you in on a secret."

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In the new year, everyone heard of the young don and the tavern owner, who had decided at Christmas to see if they could deepen their friendship further. Consequently, at Zorro's first appearance in the pueblo, everyone held their breath, anxious for the reaction of the local hero.
When, weeks later, don Diego still came to the pueblo as often as usual and had not suffered any clashes, everyone assumed that don Alejandro was right in his statement that Zorro wanted above all to see Victoria happy.
De Soto struggled to hide his contribution in bringing the most unlikely couple together with difficulty.
Diego asked him in gratitude for acting as his best man. Unfortunately, de Soto had to decline. He got ordered to travel to Monterey for tactical discussions and manoeuvres.

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Almost done. The last chapter will be posted tomorrow. Will you let me know what you think? Thanks.