Chapter 13

Two months later Ignacio de Soto stood in front of the board of inquiry that had been created to examine his role into the shooting death of Emissary Gilberto Risendo and to take whatever action was deemed necessary. He dreaded the outcome of the inquiry, for he knew the only outcome for his actions would be his execution, it wasn't something he particular desired.

"We have investigated this matter thoroughly Senor de Soto. We have interviewed Senora Inez, a most unpleasant woman to be sure and we have reviewed the appeals from Don Alejandro de la Vega and his son, as well as various citizens of Los Angeles. We have considered the delicate nature of Risendo's relationship to the de la Vegas and of that mad woman's goals to destroy that highly respected name by whatever means possible, including convening the death of both Don Alejandro and Don Diego, so that they could gain possession the de la Vega estates. We have taken into account the brutal deeds that Risendo enacted against the citizens of Los Angeles and we have come to the conclusion that the actions you took were reasonable. It would have been more prudent to wound Emissary Risendo instead of taking his life but what is done, cannot be undone."

"Si senor." his heart pounded his chest, his throat dry. This was not what he had expected, he had believed that the panel would have denounced him as a murderer, not to say that his actions were reasonable. It gave him a small feeling of hope, hope that he wouldn't be executed.

"de Soto, do you agree that your actions cannot go unpunished, for we cannot allow our citizens to believe that they can get away with killing men that have been appointed by the King himself, no matter the circumstance."

Ignacio nodded. "Si I do." he replied, glad that his voice sounded normal to his ears, for his heart pounded hard in his chest. What did this mean...?

"Good. Now the question is, what do we do with you? Your execution is not warranted given the situation nor is imprisonment. We have considered your career up to this point and have noticed a certain ruthlessness in your ambition and your lack of control over your last posting in the colonies. This cannot be ignored. Ambition is good, in fact it is a requirement for public life but not at the expense of others. Do you not agree de Soto?"

"Si senor." He immediately schooled his features into a neutral mask to hid his sudden elation, they weren't going to demand his death. He was going to live!

"Very well, we had decided to give you one last chance, a chance to prove yourself to be the leader that some people believe you to be. If you do not take up this opportunity, charges of dereliction of duty, amongst others, will be laid against you, which will likely end with a prison sentence. Do you understand de Soto?"

Ignacio nodded, "Si I do senor."

"So be it. You will be required to..."

Ignacio exited the building in stunned disbelief. He simply could not take in the news. At first he thought it was some kind of joke but the look on the board member's faces showed no amusement and he realised just how serious they were. He shook his head as he descended the steps of the large imposing building, the joke was on him alright.

"Ignacio." a soft voice came from behind him.

He turned and gasped. "Carolina?"

"Si, how are you?" she asked as she stepped down to his level.

He bowed slightly and reached for her hand and planted a soft kiss to her skin. "I'm doing fine and yourself?"

She smiled. "I'm okay, all things considered."

Ignacio gazed at her, noticed that she was still a beautiful woman, even though they hadn't seen each other for over five years. "I'm not sure what you mean." he replied as they slowly walked along the footpath.

"You don't know do you?" she wasn't all that surprised, he had been on the other side of the world for the last several years.

He shook his head. "Know what?"

Carolina stopped and placed her hand lightly on his arm. "Vincente died a year ago."

"Madre de dios, no I didn't know. You have my sincere condolences Carolina."

"Gracias Ignacio." she replied as they started walking again. "Even though I was never in love with him, he left a rather large gap in my life when he died."

He nodded. "How long were you married?" he asked gently.

"Twenty two years. I was nineteen when we married. It feels like a lifetime ago." she sighed softly.

So she was only five years older than him, Ignacio reflected, not the eight or nine years that he had once thought.

They walked in silence for awhile before she asked. "So what happened in there today, Ignacio?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You know what happened then?"

She chuckled pleasantly. "Of course. Do you really think that the shooting of the King's emissary by another government appointed man, along with rumours of an insane woman, of a son stolen at birth from a prominent family would go unnoticed by society?"

Ignacio snorted. "I guess not. I can imagine that this story will keep the gossips busy for a long time to come."

Carolina smiled. "Si, I don't doubt that. I presume that you are not being charged for the death of Risendo, considering that you are walking around free."

He shook his head. "No, I won't be facing charges."

"But what?" she persisted, she had a feeling there was more to this than he was telling her.

Ignacio sighed. "I am not getting off altogether free."

Carolina was surprised to see her former lover squirm in embarrassment. "Ignacio, tell me."

He sighed again. "They have given me a position as Alcalde..." he paused again.

"Ignacio." she warned.

"I am to return to Los Angeles as Alcalde and put right my mistakes." he huffed as he slapped his gloves against his leg.

Carolina bit her lower lip to keep from laughing, who would have believed that the authorities had such a wicked sense of humour.

He didn't noticed her amusement. "Apparently if I don't atone for my errors and turn Los Angeles into a thriving place the citizens deserve within six months, then I will be charged with dereliction of duty and may end up in prison...Carolina, it's not funny." he finally noticed her merriment.

"Oh Ignacio, I'm sorry but don't you see, it's so deliciously outrageous that it's perfect for you." she started to giggle, almost like a schoolgirl.

His hurt pride fell away, saw the humorous side of it and grinned. "I guess it would be rather ironic to go back to Los Angeles after what has happened." he chuckled as a thought crossed his mind. "Can you imagine the expression on their faces when they see me again."

They both laughed out loud causing several passerbyers to look at them curiously.

"I wouldn't mind seeing the shocked expressions on their faces." Carolina said after awhile.

Ignacio raised both eyebrows, now what did she mean by that, he wondered. "Would you?"

"Si, I would." she replied softly.

He frowned slightly, did she mean that, or was she playing some kind of game? Was she suggesting a continuation of their previous affair or perhaps something more? Did he want something more than an occasional romp in bed? Over the last couple of months he had reflected not only on his life but also on Carolina and what she meant to him. She was the only woman who could bring out the best in him. Although he had pursued one or two senoritas over the last couple of years, nothing came of it, for they could not compare with Carolina. Did he love Carolina, perhaps he did. Would he like her to be his wife? Would she want to become his wife? He couldn't believe that he was thinking about marriage. He couldn't imagine being with someone else, other than Carolina. So he decided to take a risk, a risk that she would reject him.

Carolina watched him out of the corner of her eye, saw him deep in thought. She knew that she had shocked him with her subtle suggestion to go with him to Los Angeles, that perhaps for the first time that he thought about a more stable relationship with her. For she loved him, had loved him from almost the first time they had met twelve years ago. She wanted more than a frolic in bed on a lonely night. She could see that he had changed, just as she had changed. She had changed the moment she first held Ignacio's daughter in her arms, she felt a love so strong that it overwhelmed her. Never before had she had felt such love for her daughter and for the man who had fathered her. She loved her son, but not like she loved her daughter. So she put her little girl first, before her own needs and was no longer the selfish woman she once was.

They had come to a park and entered through the large iron gates. He stopped suddenly, forcing her to stop as well. "Carolina do you really mean that, would you come to Los Angeles with me?" he wanted to know.

She smiled slightly. "Do you want me to?"

He let out his breath that he didn't know he was holding. He looked intently into her eyes as he tried to understand what she wanted, to understand what he wanted. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Carolina, I have thought about you, about us, over the years. I wondered how you were going, hoped that you were happy. I found that I missed your presence in my life." he paused then grinned wickedly. "I missed you in my bed."

Carolina felt a small blush rise over her face at his candour, felt her heart begin to race at his words and their meaning. "Me too Ignacio."

He nodded. "I have tried to pursue other women, with the intent of marriage but it never felt the same when I was with you. Carolina, I don't know what love is, I've never been in love before so I don't know what I feel for you is love."

"What do you feel Ignacio?" she said softly as she gazed into his eyes.

He ran his fingers through her soft hair and sighed. "I do have feelings for you, feelings which makes me think about you often, makes me want to protect you from all evils, to hold you in my arms, to kiss you, to make love to you. But also I enjoy our verbal fencing matches, I love it that you do not hold back when you are angry, that you are not shy about telling me what you want, you have a witty sense of humour and you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

Carolina felt tears burn in her eyes. "Ignacio, you do love me."

He nodded. "I guess that is what I am trying to say. I am not the romantic type that can quote you poetry from the top of my head..."

Carolina placed her fingers against his lips. "Shhh, Ignacio, you are doing just wonderful. Is this your way of asking me to..."

Ignacio smiled warmly but felt unusually shy as he gently squeezed her shoulders. "I do want you to come with me to Los Angeles, but not as my mistress. I want more than that. Carolina, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife."

With tears flowing down her face, she nodded. "Oh Ignacio yes I will marry you."

"Carolina." he whispered as he pulled her tight into his arms. He felt an overwhelming burst of love crash over him at her acceptance. Never before had he felt this way towards anyone, he was so overcome by this new emotion, that he had to hold back unmanly tears that threatened to spill down his face.

He pulled back slightly and without regard for their public appearance, kissed her gently on her lips. Carolina sighed at the tenderness that he was showing her and moved to deepen the kiss and that old familiar battle for dominance started once more as their warm tongues danced together.

He pulled back and gazed lovingly into her eyes. "I do love you Carolina de Alvaro." he panted.

"And I love you Ignacio de Soto." she breathed heavily.

They smiled at each other before he took her hand and they walked slowly around the park.

"It won't be easy in Los Angeles, it's a very small pueblo, with only a score or so, of buildings in the dusty streets."

She nodded. "It will be okay Ignacio, as long as we are together." she smiled lovingly.

His heart completely melted at her smile, dios I really do love her, he reflected. "And if you believe the gossips are bad here in Madrid, just wait until we get to Los Angeles."

She chuckled. "Just imagine the gossip when you bring a wife with you."

He laughed with her. "The talk will probably last them for years and years."

They were silent for a moment as they continued to walk around the park.

"Carolina, what about your children?"

She smiled warmly at the mention of her children. "Enrique is twenty one years old and is in the Army, following in his father's footsteps and would you believe he is courting a young senorita. I can't believe how fast the years have gone, I can still see Enrique as a small boy, getting into trouble."

Ignacio nodded. "And Juanita?" he asked carefully.

She held her breath. "She is now eleven and quite a young lady. I want her to come with us, Ignacio, I won't leave her alone here in Madrid."

"I would never ask you to leave her behind." he paused then continued. "I need to know Carolina."

Her heart beat faster as she realised what he wanted to know. "Did you receive my letter that time?"

"Si I did, but I want to hear it from you."

Carolina moved away from him, she felt uncertain about whether she should tell him or not.

"Please Carolina, I need to know if Juanita is my daughter." he came up behind her.

She sighed and turned to face him. "Why do you need to know?"

"Otherwise I will always have doubts about you and her. I have lived with this doubt since that day I saw you with your daughter, I cannot live like that anymore. I don't want any uncertainties in our marriage."

She looked down at the ground and made her decision for better or worse. She looked up into the apprehensive face of her future husband. "Yes, Ignacio, Juanita is your daughter but if you mention this to anyone at all, I will fight you to the last breath in me. I will bring you down so fast, you won't know what hit you. You will never be able to show yourself in society again. That is my solemn promise to you." she said forcefully.

Ignacio blinked at her threat, he had no doubts whatsoever that she would go through with it. She would be a formidable enemy if he ever crossed her, for she had too many friends, in many levels of society and he had the most to lose if the information ever leaked out. "Thank you for being honest with me Carolina. I give you my word that if the knowledge of Juanita's parentage leaks out, it will not be from my lips."

She nodded gratefully. "Gracias. I know that you would never tell but I cannot take that chance. For all intents and purposes Juanita was Vincente's daughter and nothing will ever change that."

He nodded. "I understand. What is she like?" he asked eagerly.

She smiled at his enthusiasm. "I never realised that you wanted children."

He snorted. "I believed that one day, I would marry and have children but never really thought about it. In fact, I'm not really good with children."

She chuckled. "Perhaps you would be a better father than you think. Juanita is a mixture of both of us, she can be stubborn if she doesn't get her own way but that is tempered with a good sense of right and wrong. She is smart and has a curious mind, she has a good seat in the saddle, she is a pretty girl and will grow into an attractive young woman… what are you laughing at." she huffed.

"I'm sorry Carolina, you certainly have a mother's pride in your daughter."

She chuckled. "Of course and so will you when you meet her."

"I hope she will like me." he said hopefully, he had never thought he would be looking forward to meeting his daughter. It was a strange feeling of expectation and nervousness at the same time. Again he was overcome by feelings that he had never felt before and it was intoxicating.

"You might expect some resistance Ignacio, she loved Vincente and misses him dearly." she cautioned him.

He sighed and nodded. "If I can't be her father, I will try to be her friend."

"That's all we can hope for." she paused then continued. "I would like to give you another child, to claim as your own." she said softly as she squeezed his hand.

Ignacio raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure.. I mean are you able? At your age."

She nodded. "I'm forty-one years old and I can still fall pregnant. There is a risk at my age for both me and the child but there is always a risk for any woman, no matter what her age. But do you want a child Ignacio?"

He squeezed her hand and smiled warmly into her eyes. "Yes, I would like that very much."

"Then we will have another child." she smiled back.

They continued walking through the park, coming close to the exit. "How soon do you have to leave for Los Angeles?"

"The next ship is in three weeks. Is that enough time to arrange a wedding?"

She chuckled. "It will have to be."

He laughed with her as they walked out of the park and discussed their upcoming wedding.

Ignacio was staggered by just how much his life had changed from the time he shot Risendo in order to save the life of Diego de la Vega, to questioning his own behaviour and even his entire existence. He had realised that his ruthless ambition for power, regardless of whom or what stood in his way, had hurt him more than he ever knew possible. It had almost destroyed his soul.

His life changed even more when he was recalled back to Madrid to answer for his actions. He had been given a second chance of life when he was spared from the death penalty and now he was about to marry the only woman that could ever be a match for him, it left him very overwhelmed. He felt that it was all a dream and at any moment he would wake up and find himself back to his old life. If someone had told him a year ago that his life would change so dramatically, he would have laughed and then thrown them into prison for making up such outrageous lies. But his life had changed and so had he, for the better. Now all he to do was prove it to the people of Los Angeles.