Chapter 9
It seemed that the whole pueblo was out and about. Everyone was talking in groups about the mornings astonishing events. No-one had imagined that their Alcalde would be arrested for treason, most had thought that one day Zorro would run him out of town but not this. The tavern was full of citizens, even though it was still siesta time. The buzz of the chatter was louder than she had ever heard, as Victoria came through from the kitchen into the tap room.
It didn't take long for her engagement ring to be noticed as she took orders. The sight of the ruby and diamond ring on her finger, caused another round of talk. She couldn't hide her happiness but refused to comment on it. They were all agog, wondering if Zorro had given her the ring.
Diego crossed to the mission and found Father Benitez in his garden. "Ah my son, I have been expecting you." the padre said smiling
He was a little surprised. "Have you indeed padre and why would that be?" he smiled.
Father Benitez shrugged. "I've heard that you maybe leaving Los Angeles soon Diego."
Diego chuckled. "Nothing gets past you does it padre?"
"Not much at all, now how can I help you Diego?"
Diego sat down on the bench beside the padre. "Father, I am leaving in three days time to take up the offer at the university, but I wish to be married before then."
Father Benitez nodded his head, he was expecting this too. "And does the senorita feel the same."
It was Diego's turn to nod. "Si, we wish to marry before I leave for Spain."
He frowned at the meaning behind the words. "Isn't she to go with you?"
"No, she has things to finalise here but she will take the next ship out."
Father Benitez patted Diego's hand. "I need to ask this my son, you're not marrying in haste are you, just because you are leaving?"
Diego shook his head. "No, padre, we have loved each other for so long. I know it's short notice and I would have preferred to have our marriage banns posted but we have no choice, it's either marry now or wait until I come back."
Father Benitez nodded. "I understand. The two of you have waited years to be together, I won't stand in the way of the happiness that you both deserve."
Diego stared at the padre, he had always had a suspicion that the good father knew of Zorro's identity. "Gracias."
"Good, good. I don't think I can marry you and Victoria until the day after tomorrow at 3pm."
He stiffened then chuckled at the mention of Victoria's name. He never told the priest who he was marrying, he had his answer then, the padre knew his secret. "Gracias, the day after tomorrow then." Diego shook hands with the padre and walked out of the garden.
Father Benitez offered a prayer of thanks, pleased that he could finally marry these two young people, who had given up so much to help the people of Los Angeles.
Diego walked into the tavern, to find it busy, too busy. He didn't know how he would get a spare moment alone with Victoria.
"Don Diego." Sergeant Mendoza called out.
Diego smiled, crossed the room and sat next Mendoza. "Buenos dais, Sergeant."
"You have heard about the Alcalde, Don Diego?"
"Si sergeant, it was a shock to hear."
"Si Don Diego, I think everyone here is still in shock. No-one could believe it, Don Diego, I know the Alcalde had his faults but to arrest him for treason..." Mendoza sadly shook his head.
Diego patted his arm. "I know Sergeant, I know." He saw Victoria out of the corner of his eye, and his heart beat faster. He couldn't believe that he would be finally marrying the woman he has loved for years.
Mendoza noticed who Diego was looking at and smiled, he knew that the young Don had a soft spot for the beautiful senorita and who could blame him, he thought, she was the best cook in the district. He leant closer to Diego. "Don Diego, did you know that senorita Victoria is to be married?"
"No, I didn't. How do you know?" he said innocently.
Mendoza looked around and then lowered his voice. "She is wearing a very beautiful engagement ring."
"Is she?" Diego whispered. "Do you know who the lucky man is?"
He shook his head. "No, Don Diego, the senorita hasn't said anything, but it must be Zorro though. Everyone knows her feelings for him."
Diego shrugged. "Maybe it's someone else."
"But who Don Diego, there's been no-one else that the senorita has been interested in." Mendoza asked.
"That you know of Sergeant, perhaps she's just tired of waiting for Zorro."
"Huh." Mendoza looked shrewdly at the young Don. If what he had just heard in the young man's words was an indication of his feelings, well it would be the biggest piece of gossip he had ever come across.
Diego knew that the good sergeant was staring at him intently and he didn't want to answer any uncomfortable questions. "If you will excuse me Sergeant, I need to put out a special edition of The Guardian."
As Diego walked out of the tavern, Mendoza happened to see Senorita Victoria watching Don Diego. He saw them glance at each other, smile, then quickly turn away. 'Madre de Dios' Mendoza thought, it is Don Diego and Victoria, together. He spluttered into his coffee before he turned to one of his lancers grinning. "I have something to tell you..."
Diego walked into the Guardian office for the last time as editor. He hadn't thought of a replacement, but he knew that his father would find someone suitable. He had one final edition to write, with the leading story of the arrest of Ignacio De Soto and the second story would be his own. But first he had to write a note for Victoria. Once finished, he gave a coin to a boy and sent him to deliver it to her.
Victoria was tending bar, when a young boy of about ten, came up to her and handed her the note. "Gracias." she smiled as the boy left.
Several customers saw the note being passed, including Sergeant Mendoza. He grabbed the boy as he went passed. "Hey, who was the note from?"
"Don Diego, sergeant." he said before wiggling out of Mendoza's grasp and ran outside.
The whispering started but Victoria didn't notice, she was reading the note from Diego.
"Mi preciosa, a wonderful new chapter in our lives together will start from the day after tomorrow at 3pm. forever yours Diego." Victoria smiled, she was really getting married, she reflected with happiness.
The customers were watching Victoria curiously, saw her face soften as she read the note but this time she heard the whispers around her.
"It's Don Diego."
"What, no."
"Si, she's going to marry Don Diego, that note was from him."
"What about Zorro?"
"Who would have thought Diego would have the courage to go after her."
"I thought she only saw him as a brother."
"Well, Don Diego has always been taken with her."
"Will Zorro seek him out?"
"I would like to see Zorro fight Diego." some laughed at this statement.
Victoria walked quickly into the kitchen to hide the blush from her face. It didn't take long, she thought, wondering how they could have put them together so fast. She knew that she didn't say anything and she didn't think that Diego would either.
It was several hours later that Diego ambled into the tavern. He was surprised to see it still crowded with customers. As he slowly walked up to Victoria, who was standing behind the bar, he noticed that the conversation in the tavern quieten and he felt many pairs of eyes on them.
"Hola Victoria, you're very busy today." Diego said casually, leaning nonchalantly against the bar, looking around at the customers.
"Si Diego, what can I get you." Victoria was pleased that her voice sounded normal even though she was quaking inside.
"Oh do you have any juice left?" He turned back to her, his eyes sparkling.
Victoria nodded. "Si, I believe I have some left. I'll go and check."
"Gracias."
Victoria shortly returned with a glass of orange juice, which she placed in front of Diego. "Gracias." he took a sip before whispering. "What's going on Victoria?"
She picked up her cloth and cleaned some glasses. "Somehow they seem to think that we are to marry, but I didn't say anything Diego." she whispered back.
He sighed and took another sip. "I think that was my fault, I may have said too much to the good sergeant and it got him thinking."
"And got him talking." Victoria said rather angrily.
Diego hid his smile behind the glass as he finished the drink, just as Felipe came in carrying the special edition of the Guardian. "Ah Felipe good, you have the papers, put them over there." he pointed to an empty seat.
The weekly issue of the paper was a huge success, with everyone always eager for the next edition. Today was no exception. They knew that it was a special paper due to the sudden arrest of the Alcalde, but it also informed them that Diego De la Vaga had accepted the position of Associate Professor at Madrid University and that he was leaving in three days time. A large number of caballeros and peons alike came up to Diego and shook hands, congratulating him, while others called out their best wishes. It also added another factor to the rumours of an imminent marriage between the beautiful tavern owner and the handsome, wealthy caballero.
"I must go Victoria. Our lawyer will be arriving tomorrow, please come for lunch and we go over the paperwork needed to sign over the tavern permanently to you."
Victoria smiled and whispered. "Gracias, I have a lot to arrange here to for the...you know."
Diego grinned. "Si, I do."
The citizens all wondered what the two young people were whispering about when Diego surprised them all by bowing low over Victoria's hand before he planted a kiss on her warm skin. They all watched Diego slowly walk out of the tavern before the gossip started again. Victoria hid her grin as she went back into her kitchen.
The next day Don Luis Cristoba arrived at the de La Vega hacienda. He brought with him the formal adoption papers. Felipe was now to be known as Don Felipe Diego De la Vaga. Diego also had Cristoba draw up papers to allow his future wife, an assurance of 10,000 pesos, in the event of his death.
Victoria arrived at the hacienda before lunch and she was introduced to the family lawyer and Diego explained to Don Luis the situation that they found themselves in and that he wished to sign over the tavern back into Victoria's name.
"That would be fine Don Diego, I have had a number of clients who have done the same. I do have the paperwork here, I just need to complete the details and it will be ready to sign later today."
Diego smiled at Victoria, pleased that they could finalise all the paperwork before they left. "That would be wonderful Don Luis."
"Wonderful, let me offer my congratulations to the both of you and I wish you all the happiness to come."
Victoria smiled as Don Luis kissed her hand. "Gracias Don Luis."
After lunch Diego was with Victoria in the garden. "This is where we first kissed." She smiled, looking up at him.
He gazed into the soft brown eyes, saw her love. "Si it was." he whispered as he slowly bent his head, and brushed her lips with hers in a soft tender touch. "I almost lost you that day, querida. I could not..."
Victoria placed her fingers on his lips. "Shh Diego, you can't think of might have happened. We have each other now. Nothing else matters." She stood on tip-toe and kissed him lovingly.
Diego responded by bringing her closer against him and deepening the kiss.
"Ahem." Alejandro cleared his voice behind them.
Diego and Victoria pulled apart guiltily but they kept their hands clasped together. "Father, we were just..."
"I know what you were just doing son. There's plenty of time for that after you are married tomorrow. I'm sure that Victoria has plenty of preparations for the wedding."
"Si, I do Don Aleja...I mean father." Victoria finished with a smile, before kissing the older man on his cheek.
"What was that for?" he was a little embarrassed.
"I have always seen you as a second father, and now it will be true."
"And I have always thought of you as a daughter." he replied, his eyes brimming with tears. "Now go on your way before I change my mind."
Victoria laughed and walked back inside the hacienda.
Father and son gazed at each other. "She's going to be a handful Diego." he warned.
Diego shrugged. "That's one of the things I love about her father, her spirit."
"Mmm, well your life together will not be dull anyway."
"I hope not father." he grinned as they walked back into the hacienda.