Chapter 2

Three days later the coach from San Diego pulled up outside the tavern. Stepping down from the dusty carriage was a young family. A tall gentleman, with light brown hair, brown eyes, turned and helped his wife down. The senora was almost as tall as her husband, slender with raven black hair pulled back in a stylish bun. She carried a small baby in her arms. Both were dressed in the latest European fashion, which suggested that they had recently arrived from Spain.

The senor turned to his wife and smiled. "Shall we?"

"Si." she smiled back, as she took her husband's arm and they entered the tavern together.

Victoria was standing near the bar chatting to Don Emilio about the recent play that the children of the pueblo, had staged with the help of Padre Benitez when she saw the elegantly dressed couple walk through the doorway. She watched as they looked around her tavern in delight, saw what a good looking pair they made and what a gorgeous baby the senora held in her arms.

"Can I help you senora, senor?" she smiled at they came up to her.

"Si, can you tell us if Don Diego de la Vega is in the pueblo?" asked the gentleman.

"Si, he is sitting over by the corner with Sergeant Mendoza. Do you know Don Diego?" she asked curiously.

The gentleman smiled and answered rather mysteriously. "You could say that senorita." With that strange remark, he turned in the direction that Victoria had gestured and saw Diego sitting with his back to them. He said in a loud angry voice that carried throughout the tavern. "Well, well, well. We met again de la Vega."

Diego was gossiping with the Sergeant when he heard the familiar voice boom out. It had been a long time since he had heard that particular voice. He hid a grin, turned and slowly stood up. "I never thought I would see you again senor." he said calmly.

"No, I don't suppose you would. I demand satisfaction de la Vega."

There was a gasp of disbelief from some of the patrons in the tavern. Was this stranger challenging Don Diego to a duel? What had Don Diego done to be threatened with a duel? Surely the young Don was not be capable of any misdeed.

Diego walked slowly up to the stranger. "What, right now senor?"

The senor snorted. "Si, unless you are afraid." he sneered but Diego could see the glint of amusement in his eyes.

By this time the two gentlemen were standing in front of each other. The tavern had gone quite, shocked at the threatening tone of the stranger, they all waited to see what would happen.

Victoria couldn't believe it, her best friend was being forced to fight yet another duel. She glanced at the senora and was amazed to see her calm and was rather amused by the scene unfolding in front of them. The lady noticed Victoria's distress and gently placed her hand on her arm and whispered. "It's alright senorita."

The two gentlemen were trading insults, when suddenly they both pulled back their fists as if to punch the other but they shocked everyone present by grinning broadly and began pounding each other on the back.

"Miguel, it's good to see you again." Diego laughed at his old friend.

"You too Diego, it's been a long time." Miguel replied with his own chuckles.

"Si, it's been many years."

The patrons breathed a sigh of relief as they realised that they were not going to fight each other but were obviously old friends. They slowly went back to their meals and soon the conversations started once more.

Diego turned to the Senora. "Margarite, you look marvellous." he said as he kissed both her cheeks.

"Gracias Diego, you're as handsome as ever."

Diego grinned as he looked down at the babe in her arms. "And who is this?" he asked as Miguel stood by his wife's side.

"This is Katherine. Our boys are still in Spain with their grandparents."

Diego smiled at his friends, and then noticed Victoria standing next to them, curiosity written over her face. "Please forgive my lack of manners Victoria, let me introduce Dona Margarite and Don Miguel Portez from Madrid. Margarite, Miguel, this is Senorita Victoria Escalante, the owner of this tavern."

Miguel kissed her hand. "Pleased to meet you senorita."

Victoria blushed slightly at the gallantry. "Gracias senor."

"You have a lovely tavern senorita. It's one of the nicest that we have seen since coming to California." Margarite said sincerely.

Victoria was thrilled at the compliment. "Thank you senora, I like to keep a respectable establishment. How do you know Diego?" she asked.

"Diego and I were at Madrid University together and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have passed mathematics in our first year." Miguel replied.

Diego looked slightly embarrassed at this compliment, as little Katherine gurgled happily in her mother's arms.

"You have a beautiful baby senora." Victoria said wistfully.

"Gracias." Margarite smiled as she placed her daughter on the counter so that Victoria could see her better.

Victoria cooed as she gently touched Katherine's soft fine hair. "How old is she?

"Six months last week."

"How long are you staying for Miguel?" Diego asked as he tore his eyes away from his lady.

"Three maybe four days, we are our way to visit Margarite's aunt in Santa Barbara."

"Well then, you must come and stay with us at the hacienda, father would love to met you both."

"Gracias Diego, but we wouldn't want to put your father out." Margarite commented.

But Diego insisted. "Nonsense, we have the room and father would be pleased to have a woman and baby in the place for a change."

Miguel slapped Diego's back and grinned. "Well, it looks like you have a couple of guests then Diego. We have a lot to catch up on."

Margarite laughed softly. "I know what that means, the pair of you will smoke those horrible cigars and drink too much port."

Victoria was surprised. "I didn't know you smoked, Diego."

He shook his head. "I don't, except for once or twice at formal dinner parties at the university, it was expected."

Miguel laughed. "If I remember you turned a decidedly shade of green."

Diego chuckled at the memory. "The room was filled with smoke, with no open windows and well anyone would be ill from all that smoke." He gazed at Victoria, saw that she seemed to be getting along with Margarite. "Victoria, will you please join us for dinner tonight." he asked.

But before she could answer Margarite added. "Please do come, Senorita, I don't know if I could stand being the only female in a hacienda full of men."

Victoria smiled. "How could I refuse, I would love to come Diego."

"Wonderful. I'll go back to the hacienda and return with the carriage. And to let father know to expect guests." He turned to go but he had a sudden thought. "Victoria, you are welcome to stay overnight if you wish."

Margarite was watching them closely 'there's something between these two', she thought as Victoria beamed with pleasure. "Gracias Diego, I think I will."

Diego grinned again. "That's great. I'll be back shortly."

Victoria watched him go, with a curious smile on her face. She hadn't seen him so happy for a long time and felt pleased for him. She turned to the Portez's. "Can I get you something to drink while you wait for Diego? Perhaps some lemonade."

"Gracias senorita, lemonade sounds wonderful." Miguel smiled.

"My pleasure, but please call me Victoria."

Miguel nodded smiling. "Gracias Victoria, as long as you return the favour."

Victoria smiled back and nodded. "I will get those drinks for you."

When Victoria disappeared into the kitchen, Margarite whispered to her husband. "There's something between Diego and Victoria, Miguel."

"You noticed it too then." he replied softly.

Margarite nodded. "But it's like they are ignoring their feelings."

He shook his head. "No, Diego is hiding his feelings but Victoria..."

"Victoria is the one ignoring her love for Diego but I wonder why?" Margarite stopped as they saw Victoria walk up to them with their drinks.

"Gracias Victoria." Margarite smiled.

"You're welcome.' Victoria replied before she returned to the kitchen.

"Perhaps she loves another." Margarite commented.

He looked at his wife. "I wouldn't have thought of that."

She placed her hand on his arm and smiled warmly. "It takes one woman in love to notice another woman in love."

Miguel chuckled as he placed his hand over hers.

Victoria watched them with envy. They were obviously in love with each other. I wonder if it will be the same with Zorro, she muttered to herself as she saw the easy camaraderie between the young couple, she hoped it would be. She hoped that they had enough in common to sustain their relationship. She hated to think that the mask was the only thing that kept them together, even at the same time it kept them apart. She hoped that they could be friends, that they actually liked each other as well as loving each other.

Her mother had once told her that liking and loving were two separate things. She had advised her to try to find a husband that she both liked as a friend as well as loving him as a man. She knew that she loved Zorro but did she actually like him? She shook her head, they never much spent time together for her to find out. Now if she could have the same easy friendship with Zorro that she had with Diego, it that would be perfect. She chuckled to herself, she couldn't believe that she wanted Zorro to be more like Diego. Usually it was the other way around, that she wished that Diego could be more like Zorro. 'I must be going crazy' she giggled again as she walked back out into the taproom to serve her patrons.

An hour later Diego returned and with Miguel's help, they loaded the luggage in the carriage.

As the young family settled into their seats, Diego crossed over to Victoria. "I'll pick you up around 6 o'clock, if that's okay."

"Gracias Diego but you don't have to, I can make my own way there."

"It would be my pleasure Victoria." he replied as he gazed into her eyes. He had decided a couple of weeks ago to show more of his true self, not only to Victoria, but to the entire pueblo. He knew he had to do this gradually otherwise the Alcalde would be become suspicious. He was tired of the deception and just wanted to get on with his life with the woman he loved.

Victoria flushed under his gaze. "If you insist."

Diego smiled. "I do. Until later Victoria."

Victoria watched him go and thought how different he seemed different lately, more confident. It was as if the discovery and then losing a brother, a twin brother at that, had changed him. Perhaps it had re-awakened the passion that he had when he first came back from Spain, she reflected. She flushed again, remembering the attraction she had felt for Diego that first day and she believed that he had returned the sentiment. But shortly afterwards Zorro appeared and she fell in love with the masked man, and all thoughts of Diego had disappeared out the window.

On the ride to the hacienda Margarite suddenly asked. "How long have you been in love with Victoria, Diego?"

Diego stiffened in his seat, his hands clenching the reins. "I don't know what you mean Margarite." his voice calm but his heart was pounding.

Miguel snorted. "Really Diego, Margarite's right, you love her don't you?"

Diego sighed, he knew that he couldn't hide anything from these two. "Si, I love her but she loves another man." he admitted.

Margarite glanced at her husband as it to say 'I told you so' Miguel nodded slightly as she continued. "And who is this other man?"

Again they heard him sigh, what's going on here, Miguel wondered.

"Victoria is in love with Zorro." Diego finally said.

Miguel and Margarite looked at each other, they had heard of this bandit, both had suspicions about who he was. "We have heard of Zorro even in Madrid and we know of his skill with the sword, a skill that only could be that of a Master or at least someone who had learnt from one." said Miguel.

He knew where this was going as Miguel had seen him fence with Sir Edmund on a number of occasions.

"Diego, tell us, are you Zorro?"

He sighed again as he pulled the carriage to a stop and gazed at them. "Si, Miguel, but I must beg you not to reveal this information to anyone, it would mean my death along with anyone who is close to me." he pleaded.

Margarite placed her hand on his arm. "Of course we will keep your secret Diego. Does Victoria know?"

Diego shook his head. "No, she doesn't." he said sadly.

"But why Diego?"

"Because it would mean her death as well as mine and that's something I couldn't let happen." As he urged the horses on, Diego described to his closest friends, of how Zorro came into being, and how he, Diego, had to assume the role of the quiet, peace loving caballero so that no-one would suspect that he was the masked man.

Several hours later Diego arrived back at the tavern to collect Victoria. He walked inside and found the taproom deserted. Victoria had decided to close the tavern hours earlier than normal and had given the evening off to her rather surprised but happy girls.

"Victoria." he called out. He noticed her bag at the foot of the stairs, picked it up, walked back out and placed it in the carriage.

As he re-entered the tavern he saw her. His heart started pounding at the sight of his love. Victoria was wearing a new outfit. Her skirt was a deep green with black trim at the hem, her blouse, a pale cream, with a small amount of lace around the neckline, was low-cut but not daringly so. And she had a black shawl over her shoulders. Her dark hair was pulled back with the comb he had given her some time ago. 'Dios, she's beautiful' Diego thought.

Victoria felt a rush of pleasure at Diego's appreciative glance. She hadn't been sure whether to wear the new clothes but after seeing Diego's reaction, she was glad that she did. She wasn't certain why she should want Diego's approval but her heart was beating faster at the thought of it. She saw that Diego was wearing a suit that she hadn't seen before, it was a mid-grey and his white shirt, plainer, less ruffles and it suited him rather well, made him more good looking.

Diego grinned as he noticed that Victoria was staring at him. He reached out and gently placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. "You are looking very lovely tonight senorita." he said.

She blushed at the unusual compliment from her closest friend. "Gracias senor and you are looking rather handsome yourself."

"Why thank you Victoria." Diego smiled warmly as placed her hand on his arm and escorted Victoria outside and into the carriage for the drive back to the hacienda.

The drive to the hacienda was bitter-sweet for Diego. He sat next to his love as they chatted with the familiarity of long-time friends. Their legs touched occasionally as the carriage bumped over the ruts in the road, he felt her warmth and he longed to take her in his arms and kiss her soundly. He never felt so far away from her than he did in that moment, he could be on the moon for all the good it was. Perhaps tonight he would be more himself, to show his lady the true man behind the mask, to be more open in her presence.

Victoria felt strange as she sat next to Diego as he drove the carriage to the hacienda. They laughed and chatted like they always had but each time the carriage jolted she was pitched against his warm body and it produced a curious feeling within her. Perhaps it was the talk about marriage and babies that focused her thoughts on the subject but when she was jolted once more against Diego, she suddenly realised that she was sitting next to a man, a very eligible and handsome man. She felt a deep blush rise over her, she couldn't believe that she was actually thinking of her closest friend in that way.

A short time later Diego pulled the carriage to a stop in front of the hacienda and helped Victoria down. "Gracias Diego." she smiled as he reached for her bag and walked her inside.

"Ah Victoria, you're welcome here any time." Don Alejandro greeted her warmly at the front door. "Come, everyone is in the library."

Miguel and Margarite were sitting together with Katherine between them. Miguel stood up as Victoria entered the room. "Buenos tardes Victoria.' he said warmly.

"Buenos tardes Miguel." Victoria smiled as Diego and his father followed her into the room.

Victoria moved over to Margarite and sat down.

"Hola Victoria."

"Hola, ooh she is so sweet." as she looked down at the baby.

"Would you like to hold her Victoria?"

"Try and stop me." both women laughed as Victoria lifted the baby onto her lap and she cooed in delight as Katherine gave a happy chuckle.

As the two women chatted about babies, Don Alejandro crossed the room to where his son had just poured himself a glass of wine. "Victoria would make a wonderful mother, wouldn't you say Diego?" he whispered.

Diego turned at his father's words and his heart was completely lost as he stared at the breathtaking vision of Victoria holding the baby in her arms. "I know she would." he confirmed, his voice crackled with his emotions.

"You know, son, this would be the perfect time for you to tell her."

Diego couldn't take his eyes off Victoria. "I will father, soon."

"The sooner the better Diego, this hacienda needs to be full of children's laugher once again."

He tore his eyes away from the lovely vision of Victoria with a babe in her arms, and looked at his father. "I'm working on it."

Don Alejandro put his hand on Diego's shoulder. "Can you work a little faster, son. I would like to see my grandchildren before I die."

"Father, you're still young." he said worriedly.

Don Alejandro snorted. "I'm fifty-five, that's hardly young."

"You have plenty of years left father." He didn't want to think about it. His father was such a large presence in his life that he couldn't image it without him.

Victoria looked up at Miguel, and asked. "How old are your other children?"

"Jose is almost eight and Ferdinand is five and they are the wonderful boys but they do have a habit of getting into mischief at times." he said rather proudly.

"Just like their father." Margarite teased.

"Hmmpf." Miguel muttered.

Victoria grinned at Margarite's teasing. The she noticed that Diego and his father seemed to be having a rather serious discussion, if the looks on their faces was any indication. What on earth were they talking about?

Manuel arrived at the doorway and announced that dinner was ready.

Victoria found herself sitting next to Miguel and opposite Felipe, now that Diego was adopting the young man, he was taking his rightful place with the family. Next to Felipe was Margarite, Alejandro seated at the head of the table, while Diego sat at the other end.

Diego surprised his father and Victoria by having a second glass of wine. He rarely drank but tonight he was with old friends and they were reminiscing their university days.

"Did you know, Victoria, that Diego played matchmaker between Miguel and me?" Margarite smiled.

"What, Diego playing matchmaker, I don't believe it." Victoria spluttered into her glass of wine, as she looked across at Diego to see him smiling.

He knew how this conversation was going to end. "I do know a few things about romance."

Felipe gave Diego a knowing smile before he sipped his glass of water.

Then Victoria remembered Zafira, the woman that Diego was to marry in Spain. Of course there would have been romance with her. She turned back to Margarite "Okay, so how did Diego play matchmaker?"

"Well..." Margarite started, smiling at Diego. "He had asked me out on a picnic..."

"What, my son actually asking a senorita to go on an outing?" Don Alejandro teased.

"Si, I know it's hard to believe with Diego, he always had his nose in his books that even I was surprised by this." Miguel grinned as he saw his friend squirm in his seat.

Diego grinned back. "Well, there are some things that you simply cannot learn in books." he replied innocently.

"Really Diego, we have company." Don Alejandro sounded shocked but the look on his face showed his amusement.

"Go on Margarite." Victoria implored.

"Well, he took us to the local river, which was a regular spot for courting couples or for groups of friends to picnic. After a lovely lunch Diego decided we should go boating on the river..."

"Diego, I didn't know you could row." interrupted his father.

"At that time I didn't." he smiled, a little embarrassed.

"Oh no, I think I can see what happened next." Don Alejandro said, his eyes bright with amusement.

Margarite nodded and continued. "Diego found this boat and took us out. There were other couples out on the water, so we weren't alone." She paused, looked over at Diego, smiling mischievously. "Then all of a sudden, our feet started to get wet. There was water coming in through a hole in the bottom of the boat."

"Didn't you check for holes?" Don Alejandro said incredulously.

Diego squirmed in his seat as he took another sip of wine. "Obviously not father."

Victoria giggled. "So what happened next, Margarite?'

"Very soon we were in danger of sinking, when guess who came along to save the day." she glanced over at her husband.

"No!" Victoria giggled again.

Miguel took up the story. "I had seen Diego take this beautiful senorita out on the river and soon noticed they were in trouble. So I climbed into a boat nearby, making sure that there were no holes in it..." He paused as Diego raised his glass in mock salute before continuing. "I rowed out and rescued Margarite and took her back to shore. If it wasn't for Diego and the leaking boat, I wouldn't be sitting here today, married to the most beautiful woman in Madrid."

Everyone applauded and cheered.

"What a wonderful story." Don Alejandro said.

Felipe was laughing silently as he signed, Diego interpreted for the rest of them.

"You want to know what happened to me and the boat."

Felipe nodded.

Miguel snorted. "Don't ask."

Diego clutched his heart in apparent distress. "Not only did I lose Margarite to my best friend but I had to suffer the indignity of swimming back to shore, after the boat sank. It just ruined my best suit."

Everyone burst out laughing at Diego's dramatics.

Victoria couldn't help but stare at Diego, she had never seen him this happy before, so full of life, his blue eyes sparkled with merriment. He really is a handsome man, she thought. Diego returned Victoria's stare and for a moment everything stopped as they gazed into each others eyes, both felt the pull of their hidden attraction to the other.

But the moment passed and their attention was taken up with the arrival of the main course. But their glance had not gone unnoticed by the others at the table, who hid their knowing smiles.

Victoria's heart was pounding. She had felt a brief spark pass between them, something that she only ever felt with Zorro. Dios, what's wrong with her, she thought. She didn't understand it, she loved Zorro, not Diego, didn't she? She had never seen that look of love in Diego's eyes before.

Margarite was speaking but Diego wasn't listening. His heart pounded fast. He knew in that instant, he had let his guard down and felt his love for Victoria shine through. He had noticed that she felt something too. He knew that his decision to unmask, on her upcoming birthday was the right one, they had to move their relationship forward. As it stood now, they were going nowhere.