Ignacio at the Party

Ignacio and Gushing Stream had been invited to the party but as soon as they entered the hacienda it was soon apparent they were not too welcome inside. Ignacio placed a cautious hand on the hilt of his rapier, feeling incredibly threatened, but not sure why. He felt Gushing Stream tighten muscles in her arm, as she walked a little closer to him, and he smiled down at her. His right arm reached over, away from the sword, and patted her hand reassuringly.

"Alcalde de Soto, Senora de Soto," Dona Felicia welcomed them softly, and led them into the library.

"Don Diego," Gushing Stream said, seeing her friend. She smiled and they went over to him. "The boys are getting big now, aren't they?" She sat with Dona Victoria and the infants. Diego's wife was trying to entertain them as best she could, but Victoria was glancing around the room, aware of the disapproving glances of the other Donas.

"I can do nothing right in their eyes, senora," Victoria murmured, with a sigh. "When can we go home, Diego?"

"We have to stay a little longer, this is my father's oldest friend," Diego said with a trace of his own frustration.

"It's not you, Dona Victoria, it's me," Gushing Stream said softly.

Victoria stared a little at her new friend, and glanced back up at the other ladies. Diego frowned, and considered them as well.

"Alcalde, you should take your wife home," Diego said a little loudly. "She looks very ill."

Ignacio stared at Diego for a moment. "We only just arrived, Diego. We are trying to make a good impression," he murmured.

"It's not worth it. Your wife is ill, Ignacio. You need to treasure her. Especially far above this family. Dona Felicia only invited you to gossip."

"I can handle gossip, Don Diego. I have been gossiped about ever since I can remember. If this visit helps Ignacio, I can bear it," Gushing Stream said softly. "We can stay and bear it."

Diego looked doubtful, and glanced at Ignacio. He motioned to the chair at the far side of the room, large enough for both of them to sit down and talk.

Ignacio followed him, a little thoughtful. Was Diego telling him to take his Indian wife home, because of his own intolerance? That was hardly likely with his history.

"Diego, I feel a little angered by you telling us to go home," Ignacio said, carefully. "We were invited."

"I know these people. I grew up with this man's son. Ignacio, they hate Indians. They invited you, but it was not to be kind or polite. It was so they can catch you and your wife being social innocents, and mock you both."

"Gushing…Sarah has more manners than I do. Probably more than you do, Diego."

"Well, probably. The English family who raised her would have insisted on that."

"I never back down from a fight, Diego. You know me."

"Looks like your wife doesn't either," Diego said with a trace of a smile. "Her health is vulnerable, Ignacio."

"What do you mean? She is much better," Ignacio said.

"Childbirth kills stronger women than her," Diego murmured. "You may only have a limited time together."

"So might you and Victoria. You still wear the mask; you still go up against evil men. Any advice you give me, I throw right back at you, my friend." Ignacio's voice had an edge to it. He stood and made his way back to his wife. Diego sighed and watched him go for a moment, before moving to help his wife with his boys.

Zzz

"What did you say?" Ignacio rose to his feet. The men in the room watched him with interest. "How dare you?"

Diego stood and searched for words. "Come now, Alcalde. It was said in jest," he murmured eventually. Ignacio glared at him, before turning the gaze on his adversary. Why did Diego have to interfere all the time?

"Don Raphael, apologise," he growled, and advanced on the man. His hand was on the hilt of his rapier. Don Raphael drew his sword, and Diego managed somehow to get between them, just as the Alcalde drew his rapier.

"Gentlemen," Diego said his voice firmer than usual. "A man's wife is his most treasured possession. How would you feel if the Alcalde said such things about your own wife, senor?"

"My wife isn't an Indian whore," Don Raphael said with feeling. Diego put a hand on Ignacio's shoulder.

"I demand satisfaction," Ignacio growled, glaring at Diego for preventing him reaching his true enemy. "Don Raphael, tomorrow at dawn."

"Certainly. Your widow can take her unborn brat and leave this pueblo in peace," Raphael replied.

Ignacio watched as the man turned and left the room. He slowly replaced his sword, and glanced towards the door. Gushing Stream stood in the door, her face pale, and her head slowly shaking from side to side.

"What have you done, Ignacio?"

"Sarah…" Ignacio tried, and she turned and left where she was standing. He went after her, and he had to move fast to keep up with her.

"Sarah, what was I supposed to do? Pretend you mean nothing to me? The man insulted your honour. I did what any husband of any worth would do," he said when he caught up with her. They were standing in the yard.

"Please get our buggy," she said to a stable boy. "I am Senora de Soto." The boy nodded, and hastened to do as he was told. "I want to go home, Ignacio."

"Are you worried that I will lose the duel?" He walked after her, as she followed the boy.

"Please, Sarah," he said as he touched her arm, to slow her at least. She had never ignored him before, and it made him irritable. "Most women would be pleased that their husbands cared enough to defend their honour…"

"I am not Spanish, Ignacio. I also have no interest in either my husband being killed, or killing someone else. My honour is not worth someone's life," she said angrily. "Get your hand off my arm," she added quietly. He withdrew it quickly.

Victoria came out of the house, and went over to them. "Senora, are you well?"

"A little tired," she said with feeling. Victoria took her arm, and the stubbornness that was sustaining Gushing Stream faltered. She seemed exhausted. Victoria let her lean on her arm, and glanced at Ignacio with irritation.

"Your pregnancy is progressing, it's normal," she reassured Gushing Stream gently, as she led her towards the carriage.

Diego was at Ignacio's side.

"I did what I needed to do, Diego. You would have done the same," Ignacio said softly, as he watched the women.

"I would have thought about my wife, about our sons, Alcalde. I am Diego de la Vega. Have you ever seen me pick up a sword to defend someone's honour?"

The Alcalde thought for a moment. He chuckled a little, and some of the tension left his body. No, he had never seen Diego de la Vega defend anyone with a sword. That was before his time. Zorro seemed very happy to do his fighting for him.

Diego put a friendly hand on his shoulder. "Welcome to the socially unacceptable, my friend. Although, I suspect you will be the top of the heap for a long time. At least I have my money and position to defend my wife. No one has ever dared insult my wife, not since the very beginning and its problems. You have nothing except your sword."

"I'll watch him, and put him in my jail if he so much as…"

Diego's eyes stopped him. "What would Gushing Stream say about that?"

Ignacio sighed. "My wife expects me to be a storybook gentleman, peaceful and noble. I don't think I can be who she wants me to be."

"It's worth it to try," Diego said softly. "Remember that she could die – you could lose her – it's more than likely," he added, reluctantly.

"My princess is strong, Diego. She will be alright," Ignacio said, but his words lacked the power they once had. He had seen her get so much stronger, but she still seemed weak. It worried him.