Chapter 4

The next day went slowly for both Diego and Victoria. Diego stayed around the hacienda and didn't go into the pueblo for he knew if he did, he would not be able to control his feelings and that would lead to mistakes and that in turn lead to him being arrested along with Victoria, his father and Felipe. It was something he did not want to happen, so he stayed home and hoped that Victoria would understand and come to him.

Victoria was well aware of the danger of her knowing the secret had placed her in and knew that Diego could not come into town today, their emotions would be too close to the surface and that was a very dangerous thing. It would take only a glance between them at the wrong moment and he would be arrested, something she did not want to happen. She would go to him for dinner as planned and at least that way, they would be alone together at the hacienda without the worry of lancers or the Alcalde arresting them.

Just before dinner, Diego was walking past the front door when there was a knock. When he opened the door, he smiled warmly as he saw his lady standing there. "Victoria, please come in..." he moved aside to let her in.

She smiled back, her heart pounded at the look of love shining from his eyes, any doubts that she had, disappeared by his love. "Gracias Diego." she replied and they walked towards the library.

"Ah Victoria, it's good to see you again." Don Alejandro smiled at the young senorita as he came around the corner.

Victoria nodded. "And it's good to see you too Don Alejandro." She paused, then continued. "I hope you don't mind, Don Alejandro, if I stay for dinner, it's been some time since I have dined with you and Diego..."

Don Alejandro patted her hand. "Of course Victoria, you know you are always welcome here anytime." he replied warmly.

He was startled by a rather strange notion as they moved further inside the library. He noticed something amiss between his son and Victoria; it was in the way they were taking care not to look at each other. Usually they were so at ease in each other's company but not tonight, something was different. Perhaps it was that kiss they had shared the other day, maybe it had meant more to them than they had realised, he mused to himself. He had been shocked when he had heard about Diego kissing the lovely senorita but it had been under some kind of spell and didn't think too much of it. But now looking at the two of them...well he had always hoped for a match between his son and Victoria. He believed that if Zorro hadn't been around, these two would have come together in marriage, a marriage he would approve of.

Don Alejandro was about to leave them alone together in the library but Diego's voice stopped him. "Father, please stay a moment. I have something to tell you and Victoria."

He turned back and looked questioningly at his son.

Diego felt his heart pounding inside his chest; he wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers.

Victoria saw his nervousness for what it was. He had never told his father. She gazed at him with a little awe as she realised that Diego had been alone all these years, with no-one to help ease his burdens. Then her eyes widened as the last piece of the puzzle fell into place. He did have help, Felipe. Diego and Felipe were close and with good reason, Felipe was there to share his troubles.

Don Alejandro also saw his apprehension but not the reason behind it. "What is it Diego, the last time I saw you this nervous was when your mother caught you reading your uncle's books."

Diego blushed at the memory, which had led to an embarrassing talk with his father. "It's nothing like that father, but please sit down, you too que...Victoria."

Victoria hid her smile at his slip as she sat down on the chair.

"Okay Diego, but I don't have much time." he said as he sat down.

Diego found that he couldn't stand still, as he crossed to the open doorway to make sure there were no household staff nearby that could overhear what he was about to confess.

"Diego whatever it is, just tell us." Don Alejandro was getting impatient with his son's uncertainly.

He sighed, nodded as he stood in front of them. He glanced at Victoria, who gave him a warm encouraging smile. Somehow, she had realised that he hadn't told his father and was giving him her support.

"Father...I'm...Zorro." he admitted.

There was complete silence in the room.

Don Alejandro just stared at his son, he wasn't sure if he had heard correctly or not. "What did you say son?"

Diego let out his breath that he had been holding. "I'm Zorro." It was easier to say the second time around.

Don Alejandro looked incredulous, and then he laughed as he stood up. "I wouldn't go around telling people if I was you, or you might end up in one of the Alcalde's dirty cells." he shook his head chuckling to himself.

Diego closed his eyes, his father didn't believe him. He guessed that he shouldn't be all that surprised, he had played the role of a lazy fool too well and even when he told the truth, he wasn't believed.

Victoria stood up as well, she was stunned that Don Alejandro couldn't see the truth and saw the pain that it caused Diego.

Diego felt a warm hand slip into his and give a gentle squeeze. He opened his eyes and gazed lovingly into her soft brown eyes, saw her love and understanding. He squeezed her hand back, then sighed and deliberately lowered his voice to his natural timbre. "I guess that I have played the fool too convincingly for you to believe me."

Don Alejandro turned at that familiar voice of Zorro. He stared open mouthed at his son, he saw Diego and Victoria standing with their hands clasped together and the realisation hit him like a hammer "You're...you're...Zorro?"

Diego nodded, smiled at his astonished father. "Si, father, I am Zorro."

"Madre de dios." Don Alejandro grasped his chest and swayed.

"Father!" Diego rushed to his father's side and eased him down onto a chair. "Easy father, just take a deep breath...you'll be okay soon. It's the shock of the news... I'm sorry father." his voice full of regret.

Don Alejandro nodded as he took several deep breaths and continued to stare at his son.

Victoria sat down beside the man she considered as a father and placed her hand on his arm in comfort. Diego stood up, crossed over to the side table, poured a glass of water, turned and handed it to his father.

"Gracias Diego." Don Alejandro he whispered as he took the glass and sipped the water.

Diego knelt in front of his father.

"I can't believe it son, you're Zorro, you are nothing like him." he said hoarsely as he grabbed his son's arm.

Diego smiled wryly. "I know but I had to make sure that everyone, including the two of you, didn't put me and Zorro together." He paused. "Father, Victoria please believe me that I never meant to hurt either of you with my deception. If there had been any other way..."

Don Alejandro shook his head. "No Diego, I need to apologise to you, for the terrible things that I have said over the years..."

"Father, there is no need for you to apologise, you had no way of knowing."

Father and son gazed at each other before they embraced warmly, something that they hadn't done for a long time. They had made a start on healing the rift that had been growing between them.

"Well, let's agree to forgive each other son. I love you Diego." his voice shook with his emotions.

Diego nodded and smiled. "I love you too father." his voice was unsteady as well

Victoria felt tears blurring her eyes as she watched father and son embrace, her heart filled with happiness at the sight of the love between them. She had known of the rift between the two, she had heard some of the remarks that Don Alejandro had said to Diego over the years and often wondered if he really deserved the condemnation of his father. She was thrilled that they had settled their differences. Those differences that had been cause by the secret.

Don Alejandro turned his gaze to the lovely senorita sitting next him, he realised that sometime in the near future she would become his daughter, just as she was meant to.

"Victoria, when did you know?" he asked.

She chuckled softly. "I found out last night Don Alejandro."

Don Alejandro was surprised his son squirmed as he sat in the chair opposite them. He was overcome by curiosity as to how she found out. "May I ask how?"

Victoria smiled widely, glanced at Diego. "Well, you know what happened the other day, don't you?"

Don Alejandro nodded and then he grinned. "You mean when Diego kissed you."

She nodded and smiled warmly at Diego and continued. "Well...Zorro paid me a visit and he...well...kissed me too."

Don Alejandro chuckled as he understood. "So you found out by..."

Victoria giggled. "By his kiss."

He roared with laughter. "Dios, the great Zorro brought down by a kiss. Who would have believed that." he said as he wiped his eyes.

Diego shook his head ruefully and chuckled at his father's glee. He was so thankful that his father had accepted his secret so easily, he just wished he had told him, told both of them, long ago. He hated deceiving his father and Victoria, for making them think less of him.

Don Alejandro slapped his legs and stood up. "Diego, why don't you take Victoria out to the garden, while I see Maria to arrange another setting for dinner." he said with a gleam in his eyes.

Diego smiled at his father's obvious suggestion and helped a blushing Victoria to her feet. "What a good idea father. I believe the roses are in full bloom at the moment."

Don Alejandro chuckled. "So they are."

Victoria walked through the door into the garden with Diego behind her. She was feeling a little nervous now that they were alone together. For the first time, she felt a little unsure of herself, of Diego. She didn't really know who Diego was, was he all Zorro or all the poet? Or was he a combination of both? She wanted to know the real Diego and she knew that it would take time. She slowly walked around the roses, touching them softly, inhaling their wonderful scent. Diego was right, they were in full bloom.

Diego watched his lady and felt a wave of love wash over him. He was also a little anxious, this was the first time they were alone since her discovery of the secret and although he knew that she loved him, he found himself a little awkward around her. Everything was different between them now and it was a little hard to let go of the two personalities that he had been for the last three years. He didn't know who he was anymore, the mask had taken over his life. He knew that a courtship was the only way for them to get to know each other again.

"Querida." he whispered softly.

She whirled around startled by hearing Zorro's name for her.

He looked quizzically at her.

Victoria chuckled and shook her head. "I am not used to hearing Zorro's word coming from your face."

Diego smiled warmly as he stood in front her. "I hope you don't want me to stop." he said softly as he gently caressed her face with his fingers.

She trembled slightly at his touch. "Please don't stop."

"I won't querida." He gave a little sigh. "Victoria, I am sorry for..."

Victoria gently placed her fingertips on his lips. "No more apologies, Diego, no regrets about anything." she smiled softly as she gazed lovingly into his vivid blue eyes, saw his love, his regret at the hurt he had caused her and his father.

Diego was drawn into her soft brown eyes, by her love, her understanding and her compassion. He ran his fingers through her raven curls and he lowered his lips to hers in their first kiss without the mask, well the first kiss that he could remember, he mused to himself. It was a gentle, tender kiss, full of promise for the future.

Victoria felt a thrill at his soft kiss, his lips felt warm and gentle on hers. She pulled back and as she gazed into his eyes, she raised her hand and ran her fingers through his dark soft hair.

"Diego, what are we going to do now?" she whispered.

He took her hand, planted a soft kiss to her palm, and grinned when he felt her tiny shiver. "I think we both agree that Zorro is still needed."

She nodded. "Si, he is."

"Well, I have an idea, but..." He paused, held both her hands in his, and gazed intently into her eyes. "Victoria, will you be able to shift your affections from Zorro to me, without anyone becoming suspicious?"

Victoria moved away from him, and thought about his words. "Si, I believe so." she nodded as she turned back. "But how are we going to do this?"

Diego smiled. "A courtship."

Victoria's eyes widened in surprise. "A courtship, you want to court me?"

He nodded as he stepped closer to her. "Si, I want to court you, as I have always wanted to. That is, if you want me to."

She smiled shyly and blushed as she stepped even closer to him. "Are you asking for my permission?"

Diego nodded, smiling lovingly down at her. "I am."

Victoria gently placed her hands on his chest and felt his rapid heart beat, which matched her own beating heart. "You have my permission to court me, Diego de la Vega." she said softly as she gazed up into his eyes.

He placed his hands over her hands. "I am honoured Senorita Escalante that you have accepted my humble courtship." Then he gave a little sigh. "Querida, we have to be careful of how we behave, at least for some time."

She nodded. "I understand. Perhaps I can drop some hints that Zorro and I have gone our separate ways."

It was Diego's turn to nod. "Si, perhaps over a couple of weeks, we can let the people know that I...rather Zorro couldn't keep his promise to you."

"And that I have found that I have feelings for my best friend." Suddenly Victoria giggled. "My sudden feelings to you could be explained by your...um...unexpected actions the other day."

Diego chuckled. "Si that could work to our benefit." as he moved his hands to her waist.

"Have you remembered any more about that?" she asked curiously.

He sighed as he wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her into an embrace. "I have been remembering more as time goes on. I do recall holding you and of kissing you. But I also have memories of what I had done as Zorro. I remember stealing the money, hurting Mendoza and you." he shivered.

She put her arms around his neck and held him tight. "Shhh Diego, it's alright, you were under his spell." she whispered.

"I'm so sorry querida, I never meant to hurt you in anyway." his voice shaken by his shame of hurting the woman he loved.

Victoria pulled her head back so she could gaze into his troubled eyes. "Remember what I said, no more apologies."

"I love you Victoria Escalante." he whispered as he lowered his head.

"And I love you Diego de la Vega." she whispered as his lips pressed against hers.

Victoria melted into Diego's embrace, she felt his love, his passion and it took her breath away as his warm lips danced over hers in a slow sensuous kiss. His tongue slowly darted along her lips, seeking entrance. She let out a soft moan as she parted her lips and his tongue gently slid inside and curled lovingly around her own. They held each tight, their arms wrapped around each other as they deepen their kiss even more.

Don Alejandro had fixed the dinner arrangements with Maria, but he didn't have to bother. Somehow she had known that there would be an extra guest for dinner and therefore she already had enough food for them, and it would be ready within five minutes. He went to the garden to tell both Diego and Victoria that dinner was about to be served but when he reached the door, he stopped short at the sight of his son and Victoria in a very passionate embrace. He waited a moment or two but there wasn't an end to the kiss, which to his eyes seemed much practiced. He shook his head, grinning to himself, of course Zorro would have kissed his lady over the years.

He was loathed to interrupt them but dinner couldn't wait. "Ahem." he said, but the couple didn't hear him.

"AHEM." he said louder and this time they heard and pulled apart, reluctantly it appeared to Don Alejandro. Not that he blamed them; he remembered how wonderful it had been to kiss his beloved wife.

"I'm sorry Diego, Victoria but dinner is ready." he couldn't quite keep the amusement out of his voice.

Diego nodded. "Gracias father." his voice deep with his emotions, he held out his arm. "Shall we."

Victoria smiled and nodded as she linked arms with the man she loved and walked towards the door, where Don Alejandro was waiting. "So son, are there any other secrets that we need to know about?" he asked.

Diego chuckled. "Well, there's Felipe and the cave." he said mysteriously.

"Felipe? What about him?" Don Alejandro asked curiously.

"Cave, what cave?" Victoria asked wide eyed.

"I think Diego, you still have a lot of explaining to do." Don Alejandro said dryly.

"Yes, you do." Victoria said firmly as she nudged him in the ribs.

Diego smiled as he squeezed Victoria's hand. "I think I will be explaining for sometime to come."

"You got that right Diego." Victoria said with a smirk on her lips. "You'll be making up for this for a long, long time to come."

Diego grinned. "I'm looking forward to it querida."

Victoria felt a blush creep over her face. "So am I Diego." she whispered as she exchanged a glance with the man she loved.

Don Alejandro shook his head as he saw the heated look between them, as they all went into dinner. Victoria was the perfect match for his son and he knew that their lives together would never be dull. They would have arguments of course, as they were both independent, strong willed people, with their own opinions that they were not easily swayed from, but it was tempered by their strong love for each other. A love that had survived three years of pretence, a deception that had been necessary for the safety of all of them. As their love had survived that, he knew that it would survive anything that life would throw at them.


THE END