A/N: Thanks to my three reviewers, it means so much to me that you left some feedback! Here's chapter 2, and I hope it doesn't disappoint. I'm afraid that these first few chapters will be establishing one for characters that I've created but I think it will help. Also, I forgot to mention that this takes place after Season Two in the Zorro series, so Don Alejandro is aware of his son's night job. Ok, enough talk! Enjoy and please don't forget to review!
Chapter Two: Zorro Meets the Señorita (Part 2)
The moon was rising in the sky as the stagecoach pulled into Los Angeles, surrounded by a troop of soldiers from the cuartel. The vehicle came to a halt before the posada, and out came Carlotta, her fan never ceasing to move.
"Madre de Díos, this heat is insufferable, even at night!" she exclaimed, taking in the sight of the little town with much disdain. "Ugh…worse than I thought," she muttered.
"Look at that, we're here!" Carlos smiled, leaning onto his wife and Consuela for support as he clutched his head. "That was quite the adventure."
"Not to worry, Don Carlos!" a rather plump officer reassured them, dismounting his poor steed and rushing to the family as quickly as he possible could. "You won't be having any more trouble with those banditos, I assure you. My men are locking them up this instant and we'll be posting men around the tavern for your safety."
"Papá, aren't going to the hacienda?" Lolita asked as she and Yolanda joined the others out in the warm night air.
"After all we've been through moments ago?!" Catalina gaped at her stepdaughter and raised an eyebrow. "I'm shocked that you aren't exhausted, dear. That was horrifying."
"I found it terrifying and thrilling, actually," Lolita grinned, earning a laugh from the soldier.
"You are a feisty one, señorita, and brave, too!" the man bowed to her, his moustache moving as he smiled at her. "I don't believe any of my men would have tried a stunt like that one."
"Gracias, señor…?" she began.
He saluted her at once, announcing his name. "Sergeant Demitrio Lopez Garcia, at your service, Señorita Pulido!"
Both Lolita and Yolanda giggled at his introduction and curtsied politely to him. "An honor, Sergeant."
"Oh, no, señoritas, the honor is ours!" Sergeant Garcia beamed, tipping his hat to them.
"Sergeant!"
The chubby man jumped at the sound of the commanding voice, stiffening at once and staring straight ahead as a superior came behind him. The man couldn't have been any older than twenty-five, but his presence gave him an aura that made him appear as though he were centuries old. He wore his polished uniform with pride and honor, his dark blue eyes stern, his dark brown hair combed back and slicked into place. Coming up to the sergeant, he saluted him before turning to the Pulido family. "My sincerest apologies, Señor, Señora, Señoritas. Had we known about the banditos attack, we would have been there sooner." The man spoke truthfully, his disappointment in himself shining in his eyes. "Rest assured, you are quite safe now."
"My, my," Carlotta smirked, hiding her face coyly behind her fan and batting her eyelashes at the soldier. "I'm sure we are."
"Señores, get that driver to a doctor," the officer demanded at once before offering to escort them inside.
"You are most generous, Señor," Don Carlos nodded, offering his hand to the man. "What might we call you?"
"Capitan Jorge Fernandez," the man saluted them. Bowing to the ladies, he motioned for them to follow him inside, opening the door and ushering them into the building. "Señor Gonzales," he called out, watching the inn keeper rush out to greet them. "I see you are a light sleeper tonight," he noted wryly, earning a sheepish grin out of the man.
"Pardon me, señor, it's just that there was all that commotion outside," the man offered weakly.
"Never mind that now," Capitan Fernandez waved it off. "These good people are in need of a room…perhaps two."
"Of course!" the inn keeper nodded, pleading the Pulidos to spare him a few moments to make sure all was ready for them.
Carlotta continued to play with her fan as she made eyes at the captain, causing Lolita to roll her eyes. "She's doing it again," she whispered to Consuela.
"Sí," the servant smirked, watching as Capitan Fernandez bowed to Yolanda and pulled out a chair for her. "But I don't think he's interested."
Lolita followed her gaze and cupped her hand to her mouth to suppress a grin, her eyes moving back to see Carlotta's face twist sourly as the captain kissed Yolanda's hand, causing her cheeks to turn bright pink.
"All right, everyone," Señor Gonzales said as he hurried down the stairs back to the family. "I do have three rooms available, if that will suffice."
"Perfect," Don Carlos beamed. "Yolanda and Carlotta will share one room, Lolita and Consuela the next, and I will rest with my wife."
"Then I bid you all good night," Capitan Fernandez said with a bow, excusing himself from the posada to return to his post at once.
"Will you be so kind as to bring our bags upstairs?" Doña Catalina asked the porter as he tugged their luggage in. Slipping her hand into her purse, she pulled out a shining gold coin and pressed it into the old man's hand. He smiled widely and whispered his thanks, bowing his head to her before scurrying away to get the rest of their baggage. "Come, girls. We all need our rest after today."
The family members kissed one another good night and climbed the steps, each of them splitting off into their respective rooms. The moment Consuela and Lolita entered, the servant woman shut the door swiftly, locked it, and spun around, her eyes glowing in the lamplight mischievously. "Tell me everything, hermanita" she whispered, a grin growing on her lips.
Lolita waved her hand as if to motion she hadn't the faintest idea of what she was talking about. "Tell you what? I already told everyone else what happened with the coach. The masked man defeated those banditos and leapt onto the coach to help me stop the horses." Her lips betrayed her as they stretched into a smile after speaking. The two females rushed to the great bed they would share for the night and sat down quickly, prompting Lolita to near her head towards her friend's. "He says his name is Zorro, and he told me he would always be close by should we ever be in trouble."
"A bandito who protects and fights for the people? How unusual," Consuela noted, raising an eyebrow. "What if he was lying?"
"I can't believe that," Lolita shook her head, curling one strand of her raven locks upon her forefinger. "Not with the way his eyes shone…he seemed so sincere, so serious about what he said…"
"He also seemed very interested in your hand," Consuela smirked, blocking Lolita's hand as it came forth to swat her.
"He was just being a gentleman!" Lolita insisted, turning away and rising from the bed. "I offered my hand to shake, but he took it and kissed it…" She paused, resting her hands against the frame of the window in the room, her heart racing at the memory of his lips on her hand. "Consuela…I've never felt so…so alive…so unique…so precious…all because of that one little kiss he pressed onto my skin…" She drew her hands to her breast, slowly caressing the skin of her right hand, her cheeks burning. "…I shouldn't like it, I know it…I have no idea who this man is. I don't want to be some simpering fool like Carlotta is with her admirers…God help me, I can't help how I feel, though."
"There, there," Consuela shushed her, rising from the bed to join her friend and place her hands comfortingly on Lolita's shoulders. "It's only natural. After all, he was a dashing stranger – in a mask, no less – who rescued us and left an impression. But be careful, Lolita. Try not to let this get to you…I'm fairly certain that even if he was interested in you like that, your father would not appreciate having an outlaw for an in-law."
"Consuela!" Lolita gasped, spinning around to face her friend, biting her lip as so not to laugh out loud. "I never considered such a thing!"
"I only tease," Consuela winked. "Come, Lolita, let's refresh ourselves before checking our luggage. We need some sleep."
Nodding, Lolita followed her servant to the washbasin, but all the while her mind strayed back to those fleeting moments, when this mysterious Señor Zorro placed his arms around her and stared into her eyes. "Consuela's right…I must get him out of my mind," Lolita thought stubbornly. "I must."
~Z~
"It's about time you made it down for breakfast," Don Carlos smiled as Carlotta slowly made her way down the steps. "We've already finished."
"Pooh," Carlotta sniffed as she approached the family. "This food isn't fit for dogs."
Lolita rolled her eyes before rising from her seat. "Papá, might I go out and take a look around before we leave for the hacienda? I would like to get to know some of the people in the pueblo since we'll be living here."
"You'll have plenty of time for that later-" Doña Catalina protested, only to be stopped by her husband's hand resting on her arm.
"Oh, let her go with Consuela," he pleaded, motioning with his eyes to look at Carlotta and back at Lolita. His wife quickly understood, sensing that her eldest was already planning a verbal attack on Lolita. She couldn't fathom why Carlotta and Lolita fought like cats and dogs, but she had learned that it was often safer to let one of them go out while the other was in the room. "Don't stray too far, Lolita. We don't want to waste any more time getting to our new home."
"Sí, Papá," Lolita smiled, walking to him so that she might bend and kiss his cheek. After doing the same to her stepmother, she excused herself and nodded her head at Consuela, the two of them eager to escape into the sunlight of the beautiful Californian morning awaiting them outside. Taking in a deep breath, Lolita felt herself smiling as she smelled freshly baked bread and tortillas. "Mmm…do you smell that?"
"How can I not?" Consuela answered, smiling in return. Pointing at a shop door, she said, "Come, let's see if there is anything else for sale."
The two women strolled through the plaza, nodding and smiling at anyone who wished them a good morning. As they neared the bakery front, they saw two men in uniform that seemed familiar. "Buenos dias, Sergeant," Lolita called out, waving to the stout officer.
"Oh! Buenos dias, señoritas!" Sergeant Garcia greeted them, his face lighting up as he faced them. "How you this fine day?"
"Very well, gracias," she beamed. "And yourselves?"
"Hungry," the second soldier grumbled, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared at Sergeant Garcia.
The sergeant made a face at the man before sheepishly smiling at the women once more. "Pardon him, señoritas, he's just cranky because-"
"Because you spent all the money I lent you at the posada last night, and now I can't buy anything from Señorita Beatriz," the other pouted.
Lolita covered her mouth as she pressed her lips together, amused by the two friends' banter. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't know your name, señor."
"Corporal Guillermo Reyes," the man answered, straightening to salute the ladies just as a young woman stepped out with a basket. At once, the corporal jerked around to face her, a goofy smile lighting his face. "Señorita Beatriz!" he said excitedly, tipping his hat to her.
"Buenos dias, Corporal, Sergeant," the woman answered politely, her dark eyes twinkling as she tucked her brown, curly shoulder-length hair behind her ear. "I know you won't be paid for some time, but I couldn't bear the thought of you standing out here just staring at my food, so…I brought you these."
"Oh, gracias-!" Sergeant Garcia started, only to frown as Corporal Reyes snatched the basket and continued to make doe eyes at the baker. "Hmph," he grunted.
"Oh, pardon!" Beatriz said, curtsying to Lolita and Consuela. "Can I help you, ladies?"
"We couldn't help but stop by – everything smells delicious," Lolita told her, stepping towards the display stand when Beatriz beckoned them to come closer. "We've just arrived from Spain."
"This is Señorita Lolita Pulido, and Señorita Consuela, her servant," Sergeant Garcia introduced them grandly, motioning to each lady as he said their names.
"Welcome to Los Angeles," Beatriz said kindly, bowing her head politely.
"Gracias," Consuela answered, plucking a small pastry and sniffing it. "How much?"
"Oh no-" Beatriz shook her head.
"It's only fair we pay for your hard work. After all, you have already been too generous with the good sergeant and corporal," Lolita winked, handing her three silver coins. "Please, we'll have six of those pastries, and a loaf of that fine bread…and perhaps-"
"Might I recommend her tortillas, señorita? They are superb."
The sound of the suave, masculine voice in her right ear made Lolita hop in surprise, her body spinning around to face the stranger. Her brown eyes widened at the sight of a handsome caballero, dressed in a soft jade suit, embroidered and decorated with small semi-precious stones. The quality of his cravat and lace sleeves showed that he was a man of great wealth and taste, as did his shining boot tips. The man had to be at least twenty-five or so, though his posture gave him a youthful, careless air, and his disarming smile did nothing to help her heart settle down.
"I'm terribly sorry, señorita," he apologized sincerely, though his smile did not fade. His brown eyes twinkled merrily as he took in her surprised face, finding her rather irresistible. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh, Don Diego! Buenos dias!" Sergeant Garcia beamed, rushing over to the young man and gripping his hand. "What brings you to town so early in the morning?"
"My father told me that there was a family moving in to the hacienda just a few miles from our own and wanted to invite them to supper, so here I am, ready to purchase Beatriz's delicious tortillas," the newcomer, Don Diego chuckled, winking at Beatriz.
She blushed at his compliment. "You're too kind, Don Diego. They aren't that good-"
"Yes they are!" Corporal Reyes spoke up, only to receive a jab from Sergeant Garcia's elbow.
"Baboso!" hissed Garcia. "You are making it too obvious you like her!"
Don Diego grinned at their antics, shaking his head and smoothing back his black hair before returning his attention back to the two new women. "Again, I apologize," Diego repeated, bowing to the ladies. "Allow me to introduce myself – Don Diego de la Vega, at your service."
Lolita smiled back and curtsied, Consuela following her lead. "Lolita Pulido del Castillo, and my servant Consuela." Offering her hand, she accepted Diego's brief kiss before allowing him to do the same to Consuela.
"I take it you are one of the family members of the new family I just mentioned?" Diego asked, cocking his head as he stroked his thin moustache.
"I am," she nodded. "My family is in the posada. We arrived late last night as our coach was stalled by banditos."
Diego's eyes widened at the news, his fists landing on his hips. "Heavens! You weren't harmed, were you?"
"No, thank goodness," Lolita shook her head, the corners of her mouth moving up as she remembered her rescuer. "A man who called himself Zorro came to our aid."
The mention of Zorro caught both Garcia and Reyes's attention, the two of them rushing over to her. "What did you say about Zorro?" Garcia asked, his eyes large in anticipation.
Lolita raised an eyebrow at them before answering, "A man named Zorro saved my family from those bandits."
"That's old news," Corporal Reyes sighed, walking away. "Zorro saves everybody. Gracias, Beatriz."
"What do you mean?" Lolita asked, her eyes lighting up at the corporal's news.
"Zorro has been around for quite some time, you see," Sergeant Garcia explained. "He has quite a reward on his head."
Diego shook his head at the officer and laughed. "Sergeant Garcia is determined to catch him and earn the reward money. You see, Zorro is a friend to the people and appears when there is trouble. He also manages to slip away just before the authorities come."
"Sí, Don Diego, but someday, I will catch him!" the sergeant stated, shaking his fist in determination only to jump at the sound of the bugle from the cuartel.
"Hey, Sergeant! You better come quick!" Corporal Reyes shouted from across the square.
"Con permiso Don Diego, señoritas," the fat man grimaced, hurrying back as fast as his chubby legs could carry him.
Diego and the women laughed in mirth as he took off. "He's a fine man, Sergeant Garcia," Diego noted with a smile. "He's really something of a diamond in the rough, once you get to know him."
"Indeed," Beatriz agreed. "I'll get your tortillas, Don Diego, Señorita Lolita."
"Gracias," Diego and Lolita both said at once, glancing at each other and sharing a smile as they realized they had spoken together.
"Well, señoritas, will you do me the honor of joining me and my father tonight for supper?" Diego asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he gazed down at the young woman before him.
"I'll have to ask my father, but I'm certain he'll say yes," Lolita replied, glancing back at the posada. "Oh good! There he is," she said, catching sight of her family gathering around a new coach that had been brought in for them. "If you would follow me, señor, I will be more than happy to introduce you to my father."
"The pleasure would be mine," Diego beamed, joining Lolita at her side, sensing Consuela's eyes on him. Daring to turn back, he caught the servant woman smirking as she looked at them, only to bow her head and cast her eyes downward to avoid his gaze. Diego had to fight back a smile at this, forcing himself to bite his tongue and face forward.
"Papá, Mamá, this is Don Diego de la Vega," Lolita said as they arrived at the coach. "Don Diego, this is my father, Don Carlos Pulido del Castillo, and my stepmother, Doña Catalina del Castillo."
"Señor, señora," Diego said coolly, bowing to the couple before straightening himself.
"Oh my," Doña Catalina blushed, curtsying in return.
"An honor, Don Diego," Don Carlos beamed, surprised and delighted that his daughter was already introduced to such a respectable man. "I certainly hope you will accept an invitation to our hacienda in the near future once we are settled."
"The honor would be mine," Diego grinned boyishly. "That is, only if you will accept an invitation of mine. My father, Don Alejandro, sent me to town this morning to find out if you had made it to Los Angeles so that we might invite you to join us for supper tonight."
Don Carlos's grey eyes became wide at this, his mouth stretching into a smile as he heard the words coming out of the caballero's mouth. "My, what a pleasant surprise! Of course, we'll accept your invitation-"
"Father!" Carlotta called as she and Yolanda stepped out of the posada. "Father, have you seen Lo-…oh!" Her eyes became half-lidded as she saw the elegant stranger standing before her parents, a sensual smile growing on her lips. "Who is this…charming stranger?"
Diego felt as though he were a specimen in a museum, or perhaps a mouse caught by a cat. His eyes darted to Lolita when he heard her make a sound of disgust, the corner of his mouth turning up as he saw her make a face of disdain. He quickly masked his amusement of Lolita's reaction, however, when Carlotta approached him and accepted her hand when it was offered.
"Girls, Lolita has introduced us to a new acquaintance. This is Don Diego de la Vega, and he's invited us to supper."
"How thoughtful," Carlotta purred as Diego smiled as sweetly as he could. "I am Carlotta Sanchez del Castillo," she introduced herself with a deep curtsy. With a slight nod of her head, she added, "This is my little sister, Yolanda."
"Señorita," Diego greeted Yolanda, noticing how shy she was as she curtsied and mumbled her hellos. "Well, I expect to see you all-"
"Pardon!" called out a feminine voice. All turned to see Beatriz rushed towards them, two baskets in her hands. "Your tortillas, Don Diego, and your order, Señorita Lolita," she smiled, offering the parcels to their respective owners.
"How rude," Carlotta scoffed, instantly causing Beatriz's face to flush red. "Who do you think you are-?"
"She's our friend," Lolita cut in, placing one arm around the baffled baker while Consuela stood on the opposite side, clasping her hands firming and jutting her chin out defiantly at Carlotta. "And if you keep up that attitude, I won't share any of Beatriz's scrumptious sweets with you."
Carlotta tsked, turning her nose up at them. "I doubt they're any good-"
"On the contrary," Diego interrupted, walking over so that he might stand by Lolita. "She is a marvelous cook and baker. My father and myself would not turn to anyone else in the entire pueblo for the finest baked goods in all of California."
Lolita couldn't help but glance at Diego as she saw Carlotta's neck go red, sending him a grateful smile. It wasn't often men of status stood by her, especially with her sensual stepsister in opposition, but as Diego looked back towards her and winked his silent support to her, she sensed that perhaps he was more than just another pretty face.
"E-hem…well, we look forward to seeing you tonight, señor!" Don Carlos stammered, offering his hand to Diego before ordering his family into the coach.
Diego bid them a good day and shut the door after Lolita had stepped inside, unable to hide his smile as she peeked at him through her window. He waved to them as they pulled away, imagining Lolita's big brown eyes in his mind.
"Gracias for standing up for me, Don Diego." Beatriz's voice snapped Diego out of his thoughts, causing him to look back at her. "You didn't have to do that-"
"Ah, but I meant every word," Diego insisted, holding up his open palm while placing his free hand over his heart. "Besides, Beatriz, what are friends for?" Seeing her face light up, he excused himself and thanked her for the food before sauntering back to his tethered horse, where his man-servant awaited him. "I hope you weren't bored waiting for me, Bernardo."
The older man shook his head, a great big grin showing on his mouth.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Diego raised an eyebrow at his old friend. "And what's gotten you all happy?"
Bernardo pointed to his own chest, then his eyes, indicating he had seen something. He then pointed at Diego and curved his hands in the air to make the curvaceous figure of a woman before resting his cheek against his palm and pretending to sigh.
"What? You think I'm in love with Carlotta? The red-head?" Diego asked, laughing at the notion when he noticed Bernardo shaking his head, sticking his nose in the air to act like Carlotta before shaking his head and hands vehemently. "Who then?" He watched Bernardo make another woman's figure before motioning with his hands long hair and a beautiful face. At last, he stood defiant and wrapped his arm around Diego as though he were protecting him. "Ah, you mean Señorita Lolita?" Bernardo nodded gleefully, pulling away once his master had guessed right. "Bernardo, I hardly know the girl-!" Diego protested playfully, his speech halting as he caught sight of a man standing by the town well, watching the Pulido coach pull away from town. Squinting, he could see the man was dressed in decent clothes, though not as elegant as his own, his grey hair and moustache shaded from under his sombrero.
"Bernardo…how long has Señor Juarez been here?" he asked, stroking his chin in contemplation. The mute servant made several gestures that indicated the landowner had been at the well long before Diego and himself had arrived in town. "What has he been doing this whole time?" Diego asked, his voice lowering to nearly a whisper. Again, Bernardo made gestures, this time signaling that he had been watching the posada, and then the gesture of a woman. "Lolita and Consuela?" Bernardo nodded the affirmative. "Hm…we will have to keep an eye on him, just until we know why he's been watching Lolita and her family."
The two shared a secret nod before mounting their steeds and casting one last glance at the destitute landowner in curiosity, riding back to the de la Vega hacienda with their wares.
A/N: As I was writing this chapter, I realized that Corporal Reyes's first name was never mentioned, so I took the liberty of naming him. *shrug* If I'm wrong, please let me know so I can fix it. Thanks for reading and please don't forget to leave your thoughts in a review :) See you next time!