The Visitor
Chapter 3 The Engagement
When Celia accepted Don Diego's proposal of marriage, she felt as though she was the happiest and luckiest woman in the world. She told Don Alejandro that she would write her Uncle to inquire whether he would stand in the place of her father. She knew that in the next three months the Viceroy was coming to visit with the Gobernador in Monterrey so she started to write Dear Don Esteban….. Diego and Celia spent every waking hour together under the watchful eye of Don Alejandro except when Diego went on his nightly escapades as El Zorro. On this particular cool summer night, one made for staying in bed with the one you love, Zorro rode out of the secret cave on Tornado. The mission that lay before him was not what occupied his mind. His only thought is of the little house on Camino Pasado Trail. Commandante Rodriguez had imprisoned five poor rancheros for speaking out against his unfair treatment. Zorro rode to the cuartel to free the rancheros unaware that it is a trap. As he climbed over the cuartel wall to rescue the rancheros he is set upon by six lancers led by the commandante himself.
Zorro taunted Commandante Rodriguez with abhorrence, "afraid to face me on your own commandante. You need the whole Garrison to protect you."
Zorro waved his sword at the commandante with forewarning while flashing a mischievous smile.
Answering El Zorro's dare the commandante says to his soldiers, "get back he is mine."
Just as Zorro knew he would do, the commandante could never allow his men to think that he was afraid of Zorro. As they face off swords flashing back and forth, Zorro made quick work of the commandante and sent his sword flying.
"Get him you babosos, don't let him escape," the commandante shouts.
El Zorro freed all the rancheros and disappeared over the cuartel wall before the soldiers grabbed their lances.
Zorro jumped on Tornado and let his heart led the way. He rode up to the little house in the quiet stillness of the early morning. He noticed that her bedroom window was ajar. He opened it very slowly and peered in, there she lay on the bed. As the light cascaded over her he saw the full outline of her body underneath her gown. His mind ran wild with desire and longing. He told himself that he only came to see her and then return home with the loving vision of her laying there in his mind. But now he realized that this will not be enough. He knew that it can never be sufficient. At the same time he remembered the promise that he made to his father. As he started to pull the window shut, she moaned and turned over.
She awoke with a fright… "Zorro," she exclaims.
"At your service, he replies as he sits down in the windowsill. Did I startle you mi amor."
She comes over to the window where he sits, "you know that your father will not like us being alone together like this," she whispers.
"How do you feel about it, mi amor," he questions as he climbed from the window.
El Zorro took her in his arms and begun to kiss the nape of her neck. She lifted his face and started to kiss his lips several times ever so softly. He let out a long deep sigh as if he was in pain because of the throbbing ache he felt in his loins. He stood there staring at her trying to control his hunger and desire.
He turned, "I have to go, it is getting late, he whispers. He kissed her lips ever so softly. Buenos noches mi amor."
Celia used her fingers to stroke his lips, his chest, and down to his throbbing loins as she relished the view with parted lips and fire in her eyes. Desire overruled his strongest resistance. Zorro unties his cape, banda, pulled off his hat, boots, and pants. El Zorro did not remove his mask this time. He loosened the bow on her gown and let it fall to the floor.
"Zorro," she coos.
He backed her toward the bed upon which they fell with him on top of her. As he entered her, their bodies moved in perfect sync both experiencing unbelievable pleasure and ecstasy. Afterwards, he lay there breathless watching her sleep and feeling the warmth of her body next to his. Excited by her sweet fragrance he tenderly kissed her lips. He got up and put on his clothes. "Hasta la vista mi amor," he whispers as he glanced at her with intense yearning. As the sun peaked from behind the hills El Zorro silently took his leave.
It had been three months since Diego asked Celia to be his wife and tomorrow was their big engagement fiesta. It had been delayed to give Celia's family time to arrive from Spain. Diego being a little nervous about the upcoming events he decided to retreat to his favorite place. Since Celia was soon be his wife he wished her to know about it too.
Diego says, "Celia I want to show you my favorite place. I go there when I need to relax and think. It is on a hilltop about five miles away. There is a little stream that runs below it."
With this they mounted their horses, he on Misterio and her on Oro. As they got near the hilltop a gentle breeze blew through their hair that felt as refreshing and invigorating as their new found love. As he helped her down from her horse their eyes met.
He holds her close and whispers, "I love you Celia."
"I love you too Diego," she purrs.
They sit down on the thick soft green grass. Diego laid back and reached out for her. He wrapped her in his arms and she laid her head on his chest. Everything is right and wonderful in his world. He felt that he could not want for anything else. But at that very moment the vision of a masked figure dressed in black gazed back at him. Diego jumped up.
"Diego, what is wrong mi vida," Celia inquires.
He turned and looked deep into her eyes, "Celia does it bother you when I am…..when we get married…..I will still have to…..," Diego stammers.
Celia says, "will it bother me that you will continue to be that masked bandit."
Diego closed his eyes and says, "Si."
"Mi vida, I love you and everything about you, including the Fox," she answers.
He looked at her with gratitude and relief.
He wanted to pull her to him and feel the warmth of her body next to his but instead, he says, "it's getting late we had better go."
As they got on their horses, she says "race you."
She took off at a gallop.
"Celia," Diego called but she and Oro were already half way down the hill.
As they rode up to the hacienda gate, Diego asks "where did you learn how to ride like that?"
"I took riding lessons in Spain at….at my uncle's stables," Celia replies avoiding Diego's eyes.
"In Spain at your uncle's stables….."Diego goes to say but is interrupted when Don Alejandro came out and said that it's late and supper is getting cold.
"Father did you know that Celia is an expert rider. She trained…."Diego states but Celia cuts in…. "Diego supper is getting cold."
Diego is puzzled about why Celia was being so secretive about her riding ability. After supper, Don Alejandro had the lady servant to show Celia to her room.
"Buenos noches, mi vida. Buenos noches Don Alejandro," Celia responds.
"Buenos mi amor," Diego replies.
Early the next morning Diego awoke, dressed, and hurried down for breakfast. He finds his father sitting at the table enjoying his morning coffee.
"I will have one of the lady servants to wake Celia," Diego states.
"She is not there. She has already left for her rancho," his father replies.
"What…..why did she leave? Why did you not wake me," Diego asks.
"She said that she would see you later," Don Alejandro replies.
"Con permiso," Diego responds and bows.
"Where are you going," Don Alejandro asks.
"I am going to take a ride to clear my head," Diego remarks.
Don Alejandro shook his head and pondered he must be in love. Diego saddled Misterio and rode for the rancho at Camino Pasado Trail. He walked up to the door and knocked hard. She opened the door.
"Diego, what are you doing here?" Celia inquires.
"Why did you leave the hacienda so early? Why did you not have one of the servants wake me up before you left? What is going on Celia? Are you having second thoughts?" Diego questions.
"Come in and sit down," is her only reply.
Diego studies her intently.
"The engagement fiesta is tonight, no. I just needed some time to prepare. I wanted some time to think. I did not want to bother you with lady things," Celia confesses.
"Time to think about what Celia?" Diego queries.
Diego got up, held her in his arms and gazed deep into her eyes.
"Do you love me," Diego pleads with concern in his voice.
"Si, mi vida very much. More than I ever thought I could love someone," she admits.
He hugged her tight never wanting this moment to end.
"Diego, I must tell you something. I…," Celia states as she tried to release herself from his grasp.
Diego had a hurt and perplexed look on his face.
"Diego….." Celia goes to say…there is a knock on the door.
"Are you expecting someone?" Diego questions wondering maybe this is the reason for Celia's peculiar behavior.
"No," Celia replies.
Diego walked over to the door and opened it. There stood Commandante Rodriguez, Sergeant Garcia, and three lancers.
"Buenos dias…..oh de la Vega. What a surprise to see you here," the commandante exclaims with a rancor.
Diego frowns and asserts, "what is it you want commandante."
"Is Senorita Ricardo in," the commandante demands.
Celia came to the door, "What can I do for you Commandante Rodriguez."
The commandante strolled in and sits down.
"As you know I am personally questioning all of the rancheros in the area regarding that masked bandit," the commandante remarks.
"Si, commandante I am aware of that," Celia comments coolly.
"But Senorita Ricardo are you aware that all the other rancheros can account for their whereabouts on the night at issue. You are the only one who lives alone," the commandante declares.
"Is there something wrong with that," Diego cuts in.
"No, not of itself but there is no one to say what your movements were on that night," the commandante asserts with agitation.
"I was here alone, reading as I always do," Celia counters.
"You may have been here but you were not alone and you were not reading," the commandante demands with anger in his eyes.
Diego lunged toward the commandante but Celia shook her head.
"Whatever do you mean commandante," Celia queries with a bewildered look.
"We found evidence in your stable of tracks from another horse. Do you own more than one horse Senorita Ricardo," the commandante inquires as he stared at Diego with a smirk.
"This is ridiculous," Diego retorts and reciprocated with a glare of his own at Commandante Rodriguez.
"No, commandante I own only one horse. But I have vaqueros who sometimes leave their horses in my stable," Celia states.
"Very interesting Senorita Ricardo. We questioned your vaqueros and none of them came in from the range that night. Only one came to check on you and that was Luis Sandoval but he did not put his horse in the stable. Senorita Ricardo I arrest you in the name of the King for treason against the crown for helping that masked bandit to escape," the commandante asserts sharply.
Diego has had enough, "Senorita Ricardo is my fiancé and I ask that you leave immediately," Diego demands with fire in his eyes.
"Diego everything will be all right, Celia touched Diego on the arm. The commandante will regret his actions," she whispers.
Celia's behavior confused Diego but he goes along.
"I will accompany you and your lancers Commandante Rodriguez," Diego exclaims.
"So be it de la Vega," the commandante asserts with disdain.
On the way from Celia's rancho to the pueblo, Diego's tried to ask Celia what she meant.
The commandante snaps, "no talking to the prisoner."
Diego had to control himself from throwing the commandante off of his horse and putting him in a death lock. But not to make things worse for Celia he remained quiet. As they arrived at the cuartel, Corporal Reyes greeted the commandante with a message.
"The Viceroy is in your office," the corporal says.
Celia smiled but Diego is so angry about the commandante's treatment of Celia he did not notice.
"Put her in a cell and bring me the key," the commandante orders Sergeant Garcia.
"I must object commandante," Diego protests.
"You may object all you want de la Vega. But in jail she will stay until she is hanged for treason," the commandante called as he walks toward his office wondering why the Viceroy is here.
Diego is beside himself with anger. He does not know who he is angrier with the commandante or himself for getting Celia in this predicament in the first place. He stands there at her jail cell feeling helpless to do anything as Diego. She sees the look in his eyes and knows what he is thinking.
She begs, "please Diego, do not do anything foolish, everything will be all right."
Diego remarks, "how can you be so confident. You do not know the commandante like I do."
Celia takes Diego's hand in hers and says, "mi vida have patience, things will work out, you will see."
Diego kissed her hands and rubbed them against his cheek. Meanwhile, the commandante greeted the Viceroy who he thought had been in Monterrey with the Gobernador.
"Your Excellency, what an honor it is….." the commandante went to say.
But the Viceroy cuts him short and replies sharply, "your Sergeant tells me that you have arrested a young lady by the name of Celia Ricardo."
"Yes, I have her in my jail at this very moment. She helped that masked bandit Zorro escape my soldiers the other night," replies Commandante Rodriguez.
"You will release her at once," the Viceroy demands.
"I will not, the commandante says but then sees the indignation in the Viceroy's eyes. But your Excellency the evidence against her is irrefutable," the commandante implores.
"Irrefutable or not, I am sure that you would not want to be hanged yourself for mistreating the King's niece," the Viceroy exclaims.
The commandante is dumbfounded and falls back in his chair.
"The Kin…..King of Spain," he stutters.
"One and the same," the Viceroy answers with animosity at the commandante's reaction.
The commandante called for Sergeant Garcia and handed him the key to Celia's jail cell.
"Set Senorita Ricardo free at once, he orders. How dare you tell me that she was the one who helped that masked bandit."
"But commandante, Sergeant Garcia has a baffled look on his face, "I told you not such…."
"Release her at once…..now Sergeant," the commandante asserts vehemently.
The commandante turns to the Viceroy and responds, "I am so sorry your Excellency. Do you see the caliber of men they send me to work with? No honor…always giving me erroneous information on the good citizens of California."
The Viceroy is not impressed.
Sergeant Garcia lumbered toward Celia's cell where Diego is keeping steady vigilance.
Sergeant Garcia opens the jail cell and says, "you are free to go Senorita Ricardo."
"What trickery is this Sergeant," Diego remarks.
"She is free to go Don Diego, but the Viceroy would like to see both of you in the commandante's office," Sergeant Garcia answers.
Celia avoids Diego's bewildered look but has a concerned look of her own. As she walks in to the commandante's office the Viceroy rises and hugs her.
"It is so good to see you again my child, the Viceroys beams. Diego how pleased I was when I received news that you had asked Celia to marry you."
Diego is somewhat taken aback by all of these developments.
"Don Esterban…..you know her," Diego stammers with a shocked look on his face.
"Of course I do. I watched her grow up at Court," the Viceroy responds.
"At Court," Diego blurts out.
"Diego, do you not know who you will be engaged to," the Viceroy is puzzled. "This is the King of Spain's niece. Her mother is the King's sister," he exclaims.
Diego looked at Celia with surprise and disbelief in his eyes. He bows, "con permiso," and walked out the door. The Viceroy is visibly upset.
"Is something wrong Celia, the Viceroy inquires. Are you two still planning on being married?"
"Si, con permiso," is all Celia had time to say.
She ran outside and saw Diego gallop away on his horse. Just then Don Alejandro and Bernardo arrived at the cuartel. As Diego rode pass them, Don Alejandro yelled to his son but Diego did not stop. Celia mounted her horse and chased after Diego. As Celia rode by Don Alejandro sensed something is wrong.
The Viceroy came out of the commandante's office and asks, "where are they off to in such a hurry."
Don Alejandro replies, "hello again your Excellency."
The Viceroy had originally stopped by the de la Vega hacienda looking for Celia when he learned that she had been arrested.
As Celia pursued Diego from the direction that he went she knows where he is going. Diego was riding to his favorite place on the hilltop with the little stream running below it. As Diego dismounted his horse he turns and was shocked to see Celia coming up behind him. She dismounted and ran over to Diego and grabbed his arm. He pulled his arm away and turned his back to her.
"Why did you not tell me who you were," he asks.
"Would it have made a difference," she replies.
"Si, I would not have taken such liberties with the King's niece," Diego admits.
"Diego, how dare you, Celia exclaims. I am still a woman, being the King's niece does not afford me any special consideration or treatment."
"I just need time to think…. Diego responds. some time to reason..."
Celia had tears in her eyes, "time to decide whether you still love me and want to marry me."
Diego stood there unable to move or converse further. But a part of him wanted to take Celia in his arms and tell her he loves her but the shock is still too fresh. Celia mounted Oro and galloped away. As Diego watched her ride away he felt an emptiness down to the very depths of his soul. He set down on the soft green grass with his head in his hands. He recalled how his life had been before he met Celia. He had never experienced such happiness and felt so complete until he met her. He now looks forward to each day….filled with wonder and excitement. Diego closed his eyes and visualized that once they are married there would be no more nights of returning home to a cold and empty bed. Instead she would be there to greet him and fill his bed with love and passion. All of a sudden he knew what he must do. Diego jumped on Misterio rode to where it all began…..that little house on Camino Pasada Trail. As he stepped on the porch he heard crying coming from inside. Diego opened the door and walked inside. He saw Celia draped over her bed. Her body trembled from the tears that are flowing from her eyes. Diego rushed in and took Celia in his arms.
"Mi amor, mi amor, he whispers as he held Celia tight and rocked her in his arms. I love you that has not changed. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you," as he wipes the tears from her cheeks.
"Then what was there to think about," Celia questions.
"But you are the King of Spain's niece," Diego queries.
"And you are El Zorro," Celia responds.
"Diego smiles and says, "it seems that we both have things that we must accept about each other."
"But our love can overcome anything, can it not mi vida," Celia purrs.
"Si, mi amor. I am sorry mi amor," Diego apologizes.
"As am I mi vida, Celia purrs. Come mi vida, we have a fiesta to attend."
Si, we do mi amor," Diego responds.
The engagement fiesta was a very lively event. The servants out did themselves with the decorations because this was a very happy event for them as well. It was Don Diego's engagement party. The lively strum of a Spanish guitar filled the air as Diego and his father entered the patio from the sala. Diego looked very handsome dressed in a navy blue suit trimmed in gold braid. And then Celia escorted by the Viceroy comes through the front gate. Celia was very beautiful dressed in a light blue old lace and silk evening gown. She also wore the Ricardo family diamond necklace and earrings passed down from her grandmother for every Ricardo lady to wear to their engagement fiesta. The crowd parted as Diego and Celia met in the middle. Diego bowed and Celia curtsied, then Diego took Celia's hand and they started to dance. Don Alejandro beamed with pride and a wide smile covered the Viceroy's face.
Don Alejandro says aloud, "Everyone dance."
Then everyone joined Diego and Celia as they moved around the patio together in perfect rhythm. Diego and Celia only had eyes for one another, no one or nothing else in the world mattered. Everyone congratulated Don Alejandro and marveled at the fact that Diego is marrying the King's niece. Everyone who received an invitation to Diego's engagement fiesta did not fail to attend made Don Alejandro very happy. There are discussions on whether the couple would remain in California or live at Court in Spain. Diego uneasy at the fact that this marriage brought certain responsibilities and etiquette that he is not sure he can fulfill. Yet, when he thought about spending the rest of his life with Celia there was no doubt in his mind that he could measure up to the task. Celia enjoyed all the envious stares of the ladies at the fiesta and all the compliments and questions about how she got engaged to the handsomest and richest bachelor in all of California.
Don Alejandro and the Viceroy discussed the wedding and where it will take place. Don Alejandro said that Diego and Celia wanted to be married there in the pueblo. The Viceroy felt that it would be more fitting for the niece of the King to be married in Monterrey. Diego was surrounded by all the young ladies of the pueblo. They are not happy that he is engaged to someone they consider not a true Californiano.
"Ladies please," Celia asserts as she takes Diego by the hand.
"Muchas gracias, mi amor," Diego says with a smile.
"Come dance with me," Celia purrs.
He whirled her around the patio as if they were the only two there.
"I love you Diego," Celia whispers.
"I love you too Celia, very much," Diego says softly.
A lady tapped Celia on the shoulder it is Senorita Munoz.
"You will have him for the rest of your life, I must settle for just one dance," the senorita pleads.
Celia is annoyed but allows Senorita Munoz to dance with Diego.
As they dance Senorita Munoz remarks, "she is very beautiful."
"Gracias I think so too," Diego replies.
"How did you and she meet," Senorita Munoz asks.
Diego knew that he could not tell anyone the truth about how he and Celia met. He did not want to lie so he pretended not to hear.
"Don Diego, Senorita Munoz asks again, how did you and Senorita Ricardo meet."
Diego could not answer the senorita's question so he made an excuse to leave.
"Muchas gracias for the dance senorita but the Viceroy is motioning for me. Sergeant Garcia is an excellent dancer," Diego replies to Senorita Munoz.
"Sergeant would you finish this dance for me," Diego asks.
"With pleasure Don Diego," Sergeant Garcia responds as he glances admiringly at the senorita.
"Gracias Sergeant," Diego states.
Diego took Celia by the hand, walked out the front gate and around to the stable.
"I just want to get some air," Diego says.
"Is something wrong mi vida," Celia inquires with concern in her voice.
"No, now that I have you here with me," Diego whispers.
He gazed deep into her eyes, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lips lightly several times.
"Let's get married next week," Celia asks.
"But mi amor, you know there is a certain traditional waiting period," Diego answers.
"I know but do we have to follow tradition, can we not just do whatever we feel and want," Celia purrs.
"My father will never recover from the shock. The Viceroy will not permit it nor be a party to it. Since he is the one that I must ask for your hand I do not want to upset him," Diego muses.
Don Alejandro had been looking for Diego and Celia so he could make the engagement announcement. Everyone was anticipating and wondering why Don Alejandro had not given the traditional toast making the engagement official. Don Alejandro walked out to the stable where he found his son and future daughter-in-law.
He says, "Oh, here you two are. Everyone is looking for the happy couple. Diego you have to formally ask the Viceroy for Celia's hand before I can make the announcement."
"Si father, I will attend to it at once," Diego responds.
When Diego and Celia returned to the party, they were upset to see that the commandante was there and talking to the Viceroy.
Diego walks up, completely ignoring the commandante and asks, "May I speak with you in private your Excellency."
"Why of course Diego," the Viceroy answers happy to rid himself of the commandante's company.
Diego and the Viceroy went into the Sala for privacy.
"What can I do for you Diego," the Viceroy queries.
"I would like to ask you for Celia's hand in marriage," Diego asks.
"And I do gladly give it," Viceroy responds.
"Muchas gracias Don Esteban," Diego states.
Diego walked back out to the patio and told his father that the Viceroy had given his consent.
With this Don Alejandro calls out loud, "attention, please attention. I raise my glass in a toast and proudly announce the engagement of my son Diego de la Vega to Celia Moya Ricardo."
Everyone cheered and raised their glasses in a toast except the commandante and the ladies of the pueblo who had had hope for themselves. Diego kissed Celia on the hand in front of everyone to seal the engagement.
"Now everyone dance," Don Alejandro exclaims.
As Diego and Celia made a move toward the front gate, Don Alejandro stops them.
"These are your guests. They came here to celebrate with you and Celia tonight, Don Alejandro comments. Stay here, dance, and enjoy yourselves and the company of your friends."
"Si father," Diego replies.
"I know about young love, you are impatient but you will have the rest of your lives together," Don Alejandro reminds them.
Diego smiled and clasped Celia by the hand and whisked her out onto the patio floor. Diego reminisced, a beautiful night my life was perfect and everything that I wished or hoped.
Celia read the expression on Diego's face and comments, "as it is for me, mi vida."
To Diego's delight, she read his mind, how lucky could one man be he mused. He squeezed Celia's hand tightly. With his lips slightly parted and desire in his eyes he once again sent Celia a telepathic message that made her blush with a hunger of her own.
But all is not perfect as Diego thought. Bernardo caught his attention to say that he needed to speak with him.
"Will you excuse me for a moment, mi amor," he kissed Celia's hand.
"Of course mi vida," Celia replies with worry.
Bernardo and Diego stepped outside the front gate.
"What is wrong mi amigo?" Diego inquires.
Bernardo gestured about what he had heard.
"So that is why the commandante left early," Diego says.
After speaking with Bernardo, Diego returned and whispered something to Celia and disappeared with Bernardo upstairs. At the fiesta's end Celia and Don Alejandro say goodnight and thanks each guest for coming. Some of the guest were puzzled that Diego was not at the gate with Celia and Don Alejandro. Celia had a worried look on her face.
The Viceroy noticed and asked, "is everything alright my dear?"
"Oh, just a little overwhelmed," Celia replies.
"I can understand that. I am getting ready to leave, where is Diego?" the Viceroy rejoins.
"Oh he is upstairs. He did a little too much celebrating. He said that he needed to lie down for a while," Celia answers.
"Well no matter, we will be seeing a lot of each other in the days to come. Give him my best and I will say Buenos noches," the Viceroy remarks.
After saying goodnight to all the guests and the Viceroy, Celia then said goodnight to Don Alejandro. She ascended the stairs to the room that Consuela, the lady servant, had prepared for her at Don Alejandro's request.
After El Zorro's venture into the night, he slowly climbed the stairs from the secret cave to the alcove. After changing from his disguise to his nightshirt Diego pulled the lever to his bedroom. As he glanced around it transported him back to the engagement fiesta. He could not believe his luck. He was in love, madly in love with a wonderful woman and she was madly in love with him. He contemplated all the nights to come with her lying beside him. He no longer would climb the stairs to an empty room and cold bed. Before long her welcome smile, luscious lips, and warm soft body would greet him after his long rides into the night as El Zorro – the Fox. Don Alejandro rose with the sun and is downstairs enjoying his morning coffee. He is dressed and ready to greet their special guest who would be arriving in three hours. Diego and Celia were both still sound asleep. Don Alejandro knew why Diego was sleeping in because of his escapade into the night as the "Fox". However, there was no explanation for Celia's tardiness and sent Consuela to inquire. The lady servant went up and knocked on Celia's bedroom door.
"Senorita Ricardo is everything ok. Mi patron asks that you come down for breakfast. The Viceroy will be here shortly," Consuela asks.
Celia moaned, "un momento, por favor, un momento."
After lying awake all night worrying about Diego out riding as Zorro and wondering if he was all right, sleep was all she wants.
"I will be down immediately," she answers.
Diego awoke with a smile on his face and laid there with sweet thoughts of the future. He felt culpable for the fact that his father was not happy that he and Celia consummated their relationship before their wedding night. Bernardo helped Diego get dressed but saw his friend's mind is occupied with the events to unfold in just three hours.
Diego smiled and patted Bernardo on the back and says, "muchas gracias mi amigo."
When Diego comes down for breakfast, Don Alejandro and Celia are discussing where the wedding should take place.
Don Alejandro says, "the Viceroy wants it to be in Monterrey."
"Oh no, Diego and I want to be married here in the pueblo," Celia replies.
"Buenos dias father. Buenos dias mi amor," Diego states.
He kissed Celia on the hand.
"Celia and I were just discussing where the wedding should be. As I told Celia the Viceroy wants it to be in Monterrey," Don Alejandro declares
Celia removed a folded paper from her pocket.
"The Viceroy gave this to me before he left last night. It is a note from my mother. She plans to attend the wedding," Celia admits.
"That's wonderful," Don Alejandro says.
"No it is not. You do not understand. My mother wants this to be a grand affair. If she has her way we might end up getting married in Spain," Celia explains.
Don Alejandro and Don Diego both swallowed hard pondering what is in store for them when their guest arrived.
"Nonetheless, we will endeavor to greet her properly," Don Alejandro concedes.
"Please understand my mother hates California, everything and everyone in it. She blames California for my father's death," Celia exclaims.
At that moment they hear horses at the front gate.
Don Alejandro, Don Diego, and Celia walked out to meet the Viceroy and Celia's mother. The Viceroy got out. He had the hand of a beautiful, well dressed, and slender woman whom everyone knew was Celia's mother. At once, Diego understands where his fiancé gets her beauty.
The Viceroy remarks, "let me introduce Senora Madonna Eliza Monacito Ricardo."
"Senora Ricardo," Don Alejandro and Don Diego say as they both bowed
She walked up to Celia and hugged her.
"Where is this caballero that you are planning to marry," She inquires.
Celia grasped Diego by the hand, "this is my fiancé mother."
She inspected Diego up and down disdainfully, as if saying her daughter could definitely do better.
"Do come in Senora Ricardo. Would you like to freshen up," Don Alejandro responds.
"No, thank you. I am here to make the wedding arrangements for my daughter and your son…..Diego," Senora Ricardo retorts.
They all retired to the Sala.
Celia speaks first, "Mother, Diego and I want to be married here in the pueblo as soon as possible."
Celia's mother gave her a look of disbelief and animosity.
"Has this place corrupted you as it did your father? You know tradition Celia, even though you are marrying a commoner," Senora Ricardo snaps back.
Diego set up straight in his chair with a hurt look on his face.
Celia turned and looked at Diego then faced her mother with anger in her voice, "Diego is not a commoner. He could not be common if he tried."
"Celia you forget your place, I am your mother. The wedding will be where I say," Senora Ricardo responds.
"And where is that Senora Ricardo," Don Alejandro inquires.
"Why in Spain of course at the King's Court," replies Senora Ricardo.
"Why should we go all the way to Spain to get married Mother when Diego and I are going to live here in the pueblo," Celia asserts.
Celia's mother turns to the Viceroy and exclaims, "did you not tell them.
The Viceroy opens his mouth but nothing comes out.
"You and Diego are going to live in Spain. I will not let my future grandchildren grow up in this barbaric land," Senora Ricardo answers.
Diego gazed at his father with an open mouth and Don Alejandro tried to keep his composure as a gentleman.
"Mother I am not getting married in Spain. This is my home, this is Diego's home and we are staying here," Celia declares.
With that Celia got up and went outside.
"Celia you come back here. What have you barbarians done to her," Senora Ricardo retorts with malice.
"Senora Ricardo, I assure you," Don Alejandro says in an effort to diffuse the situation.
The Viceroy gripped Senora Ricardo by the hand, "you are tired from your trip, maybe we should continue the discussion tomorrow after you have rested."
Senora Ricardo gave him a cold icy hard stare and then went outside to continue conversing with her daughter.
Once she finds her daughter she approaches her and exclaims with irritation, "now Celia I want to know what is going on. You are the King's niece and my daughter tradition must be upheld. You are not just some commoner. You are royalty and you have a duty and reputation to honor. Did this commoner this…..this…..what's his name…Diego talk you into this."
"No mother he believes in tradition and is willing to wait," Celia responds.
"Well at least he has some honor," Senora Ricardo admits.
"Mother Diego is a good man and I love him more than life itself," Celia says.
"What is so special about this…..this commoner," Celia's mother questions.
"He makes me (Celia closed her eyes and takes a deep breath) feel….so wonderful….so happy…so complete…I, Celia struggled to explain. Celia turns her back to her mother and declares, Diego and I are getting married next week here in the pueblo."
Her mother takes a step back, "I forbid it, your Uncle the King forbids it," Senora Ricardo shouted at her daughter.
"My uncle is only concerned with my happiness not some old stuffy tradition.
I would like very much if you would attend but if you do not and want to return to Spain I will understand," Celia asserts turning around to face her mother.
Celia's mother turned and walked toward the Sala. She called over her shoulder, "you will regret marrying this commoner. You will be sorry for the decision that you have made on this day I will see to it."
With that Senora Ricardo walks into the Sala, totally ignoring Don Alejandro and Diego.
"I think that we have spent enough time dealing with barbarians," Senora Ricardo ordered staring at the Viceroy.
The Viceroy was at a loss for words but Don Alejandro and Diego saw the embarrassment in his eyes. He escorted Senora Ricardo to the gate and helped her into the carriage. Don Alejandro and Diego heard the Viceroy tell the cuchero to "drive on."