Chapter 8

The following morning Victoria woke late, something that she hadn't done for a long time but she felt rested. Her heart was light now that she knew Zorro's identity and was going to marry her best friend. She decided to ride out to the de la Vega's hacienda during siesta to let Diego know that she would go with him to Madrid. But there was one concern that she had to raise with him and she didn't know how he was going to take the news.

The tavern was filling up with customers ready for their midday meal when they heard a loud commotion outside. They all walked outside and were surprised as they saw a large number of mounted lancers waiting behind an elegantly dressed gentleman, who had an air of quiet authority about him. She wondered who he was, as the lancers behind him were not of their pueblo.

Thirty minutes later, Victoria was pounding on the de la Vega's front door, calling out for Diego.

Manuel opened the door and Victoria rushed in just as Felipe walked past. "Felipe, where is Diego or Don Alejandro?"

Felipe noticed Victoria's worried look and signed 'they out in the stables"

"Gracias Felipe." she looked for a moment at the young man who will soon become her son. She gently touched his shoulder. "How do you feel about me becoming your mother?"

Felipe gave her a large grin. "It would be wonderful...are you going to marry father?' he signed again slowly, so that she could understand.

"Si, Felipe, I am going to marry Diego."

Felipe's grin got bigger as Victoria hugged him. "But something has happened and we must find them."

Felipe signed again.

"It's the Alcalde, he's been arrested."

Felipe was shocked but before he could say anything, Victoria raced out the doors. He followed her out to the stables.

Don Alejandro and Diego were in the stables, their oldest mare had just foaled and it had been a difficult birthing. They had decided that this would be her last and that she deserved to retire. Each of her foals had brought them a lot of money. The two men had just left the barn when Victoria rushed up to them, with Felipe running behind her.

"Diego." she panted as she threw herself into his arms.

"Victoria, what a pleasant surprise." Diego said as he wrapped his arms around her.

Don Alejandro watched with happiness as he saw his son holding Victoria tenderly, saw the deep love he has for the beautiful tavern owner.

Victoria pushed back from his embrace. "It's...the...Alcalde..." she tried to catch her breath.

Diego stiffened as he glanced over at his father, both wondering what new evil de Soto had done to bring Victoria rushing to them all the way from town. "What is it Victoria?"

"He's been arrested." Victoria finally said.

"What...Arrested!" Diego uttered in disbelief.

"When, how?' Alejandro asked.

"Just now, a gentleman named Enrico Cortoza rode into the pueblo with ten lancers. This Cortoza is a special envoy from the King himself and is under orders to bring de Soto back to Madrid to answer charges laid against him. He went to the Alcalde's office and hauled de Soto out." She paused to take a breath.

"Madre de Dios, what Miguel told us was true then." Diego stared at Victoria.

"Did this Cortoza say what the charges were for Victoria?' Don Alejandro asked.

She nodded. "It is to do with the bribery allegations at the university that Miguel mentioned but also treason."

"Treason?" Diego frowned.

"The harsh treatment of citizens of Los Angeles, the excessive taxes which he didn't have the authority to enact, his inability to bring down one outlaw." she grinned at Diego, who grinned back. "But apparently there is also the way he became Alcalde in the first place."

The three men were confused. "But he was appointed by the King." Diego said.

She shook her head, and held onto his arm. "It's something to do with a duel that took place in Madrid but I don't know anything more, he's gone now."

It was Diego's turn to hold onto her arms. "What do you mean, he's gone?"

Victoria looked up into Diego's blue eyes. "de Soto, they took him away. Cortoza placed him on a horse with his hands shackled and the lancers followed them. Oh Diego, it's all over." She sobbed into his chest and held him tight.

Diego couldn't believe it as he tightened his arms around her. He stared at his father and Felipe, saw the same look of stunned disbelief on their face that he felt. Could it be true, was it all over?

"Who has been left in charge?" Don Alejandro asked, his voice unsteady, still not believing the news.

Victoria pulled back slightly. "At the moment Mendoza, but there is an officer being sent from Monterey and should arrive in a week or so and he will be the new Alcalde."

"Dios, I won't be here." was all that Diego could say as he continued holding Victoria in his arms.

Don Alejandro saw the small smile that appeared on Victoria's face, nudged Felipe with his elbow. "Come on Felipe, I believe it's your turn at chess."

Felipe grinned as he walked back to the hacienda with Don Alejandro, he too had seen the look on Victoria's face.

Diego chuckled at his father's obvious wish to leave him alone with Victoria. "Victoria I..." whatever he was going to say was lost at wonderful feeling of her soft lips pressed against his. He let Victoria direct the kiss, while he simply enjoyed the sensations she was creating. He moaned softly as she slowly moved her silken lips over his in a sensuous dance that simply bewitched him. Victoria was enjoying the heady feeling of making him shiver and couldn't get enough of his warm lips, of his moustache tickling her.

They pulled apart, both breathing heavy, both a little surprised at the level of desire they felt with just one kiss.

"I love you Diego de la Vega" Victoria breathed.

"And I love you Victoria Escalante." he panted as he bent his head to kiss her again but Victoria stopped him, placing two fingers against his mouth. "As much as I like you to kiss me Diego, we need to talk." She pulled out of his embrace.

Diego felt a moment of panic but he saw the love on Victoria's face and knew everything was going to be okay. "You've made your decision querida." he asked, his voice not as steady as he had hoped for

Victoria nodded. "Yes, I have Diego." She reached into a pocket and pulled out her engagement ring. For a split second he thought she was going to hand it back to him, but she slid it onto her third finger and gazed lovingly up at him. "I want to marry you Diego."

Diego gulped as he waited for her to continue. "And I want us to marry before we go to Spain..." She didn't get to finish as Diego let out a yell, picked her up and twirled her around in his arms. His was so overjoyed, he was finally getting the girl.

Don Alejandro walked passed an open window when he heard Diego's cry. He looked out and grinned at the sight of Diego twirling Victoria around. The look of pure joy on Diego's face said it all. He had tears in his eyes, he had never seen his son so happy. It had been a long time coming for both of them.

Diego finally stopped twirling Victoria and slowly lowered her down. When they were face to face, Victoria saw tears of happiness running unashamedly down his face, and she knew her face wasn't dry either.

"Oh querida, you have made me so happy." Diego panted, hugging her close to him.

She hugged him back tightly. She felt a little fearful at what she had to say next. She pulled back and gently wiped his tears away. "Diego, I have written to my brothers asking them to take over the tavern."

He nodded. "I didn't think you would sell."

"I know that Ramon is on a farm south of San Diego but I don't know where Francisco is but..." She paused, she didn't want to destroy his happiness.

"What is it querida?" he frowned slightly.

"My letters won't reach Ramon for a least a week and then for him to come back here would be at another week or perhaps two..."

"Dios Victoria what you are trying to say." some of the joy had gone from his face, what was she trying to tell him?

She placed her fingers against his lips. "Diego, I need to wait until Ramon arrives..."

"But that would be too late, I have to, we have to leave for the next ship in three days time."

"Diego for once just listen to me." Victoria's temper rose.

In spite of everything, Diego chuckled at her anger; they were going to have some fiery arguments later on.

Victoria gently hit him on his arm, her brown eyes shining. "Would you like to hear my suggestion Senor, or would you prefer to sulk."

Diego's blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "I would prefer to do something else Senorita." his voice low and deep.

She blushed a little at his suggestive tone, but continued on. "What I was going to say, is that we marry now before you leave, I will wait until Ramon or Francisco arrive and THEN I would catch the next ship to Spain."

Diego thought about it. "But, that would mean travelling on your own, I don't think I would like that Victoria. It's a long voyage by sea and a woman alone. I don't know." he shook his head.

She placed her hand on his arm. "Diego, it's the only way. For my brother to take over the business during the time we are away, we both need to sign papers to give him access to the accounts. So he can pay the bills and for him draw an income from the profits."

Diego looked down at her. He remembered that he signed papers with his father when he came home, which gave him authority to make decisions about the ranch, along with his father. He assumed that this would be the same. "You both need to sign?" he asked.

"Si, in front of witnesses, the business is in my name Diego, with no reference to either Ramon or Francisco..." Victoria gasped as she thought of something. "Diego, when we marry, my property automatically becomes yours. Dios, I didn't think of that."

He held her gently. "I will sign the tavern back over to you Victoria. Our lawyer is arriving tomorrow and we will get him to draw up the papers."

She looked up in surprise. "You would do that?"

"Si, I couldn't imagine the tavern without you there, or at least an Escalante in charge."

"Oh Diego." she sobbed into his chest, loving him even more with this generous offer.

Diego held her and thought hard. He knew that Victoria was a smart business woman, she had to be otherwise the tavern wouldn't be the success that it was. He didn't know her financial status, other than that she had paid off her mortgage to the bank, the day her proposed to her. He sighed, he realised there was no other option. He gently caressed her face with his hand. "The next ship to leave for Spain is in four weeks time." he whispered, kissing her forehead. "Make sure you are on it querida."

Victoria looked up and gazed into his eyes, saw his love for her. "You mean that...I...that you..."

Diego smiled as he ran his fingers through her hair. "Yes Victoria, although I don't like the idea of you travelling alone, I can't see any other way for us to be together and I don't want to wait another two years or more, before we marry. At least this way, I will get to Madrid first and can arrange better accommodation for us." He leaned down to plant a kiss on her soft raven curls.

Victoria melted into his embrace. "What do you mean better accommodation?" she whispered, planting a light kiss to his neck.

"Well, the rooms of a professor aren't all that large even for one person, never mind the two of us. Oh querida, I love you so much."

Diego raised her head and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss. They cling tightly to each other, moaned softly as their moist lips slid over each other, before parting, and their tongues curled lovingly around the other. He felt Victoria shiver slightly as he ran his hands down her back, bringing her closer to him but he was mindful that they were standing outside, in full view of the hacienda, so regrettably he pulled away from Victoria's warm embrace, gazed longingly into her eyes, his breathing laboured.

"We...must marry soon Diego..." Victoria panted, desire filled her body with aching warmth.

Diego nodded. "I know mi preciosa, tomorrow or the next day. I will speak with the padre this afternoon."

He kissed her slightly swollen lips softly before taking her hand and walking towards the hacienda together. He was so happy, he felt as though he was walking on air, nothing could take away this wonderful feeling, that at long last he can publicly show his love for Victoria.

After lunch Diego escorted Victoria back to the pueblo, her ring sparkled in the bright sunlight but it couldn't match the light that was shining in their eyes. They rode slowly, their hands clasped together between their horses. Diego couldn't keep his eyes off her. "You're beautiful Victoria." he said, pleased to see a blush come over her face at his words.

"Diego, really!" She was a little embarrassed but was thrilled at his words.

"Si, very beautiful." he raised their united hands to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. He grinned when he felt a small shiver pulsed through her body.

Victoria felt a warm ache flow through her at the longing in his eyes. Dios, if he does this to her with just a look, what would if feel like when they are married and alone in his room, she thought, her blush deepening. "Diego stop, we are almost there. Do you want everyone to see?"

He gave her a cheeky grin, one that Zorro would normally use. "Si, I want the whole pueblo to know that I love you." he kissed her hand again but he knew that she was right. He would have to rein in his emotions a little, he gave a little sigh. "Victoria, you're right, we still have to be careful about showing our love in public and not to mention anything about Zorro."

She was puzzled. "But why, don't you want people to know who you are? Now that the Alcalde is gone..."

He squeezed her hand and shook his head. "Zorro still has a price on his head, and unless by some miracle I receive a pardon, there will always be bounty hunters tracking Zorro down and if it was known that Diego De la Vaga was Zorro, we would have no peace."

Victoria's hand flew to her mouth in shock. "Dios, I never thought about that. Oh Diego, everyone knows how I feel about Zorro, won't they wonder why I am marrying you and not Zorro, the man I swore to marry. Won't they piece it together and work out that you are Zorro and...and...do I still wear your ring?"

Diego pulled their horses to halt, he had noticed that she was becoming a little hysterical. He reached out and gently caressed her face with his hand. "Querida, I want you to wear my ring always. I want them to know that I love you, that I have always loved you. They may work it out themselves but we won't tell anyone, rumours and innuendo will all they have."

He leant over and gently kissed her nose, grinning. "We could say that the shock of my leaving made you realise how much you love me."

Victoria was calmer now, smiled back. "Si, I could also say that Zorro's fight for justice may never end and he couldn't give me what I want most. A loving husband and children."

They gaze into each others eyes before Victoria leant over and kissed his lips softly. Diego saw a look of mischief in her soft brown eyes. "You really are a handsome man, Diego" she said and was surprised to see a small blush come over his face at the unexpected compliment. Diego cleared his throat.

She giggled. "I never thought I would ever see you embarrassed Diego de la Vega." she teased as she urged her horse into a canter and passed under the wooden sign of the pueblo.

He chuckled. "It will be the only time you will, Victoria Escalante." he called out as he rode after her.