Chapter 12

Victoria woke slowly, she wanted to stay within those wonderful dreams of being in her husbands arms but sunlight streamed through a crack in the drapes and shone directly into her face.

"Diego." she called softly. When she didn't get a reply, she rolled over, moaned at her sore muscles and sat up quickly when she found herself alone in bed. "Diego." she said a little more loudly, just as he walked in from the outer dressing room.

"Ah querida, you're awake." he smiled down at his wife. "I've had a bath drawn for you."

She noticed that he was dressed and her heart pounded. "What...what time is it?" she pulled on a robe that was lying on the bed for her.

"About 8.30am." he replied as he crossed the room and closed the drawer on his desk.

"Why didn't you wake me?" she accused him as she stood up, grimaced at her aching muscles.

Diego noticed, smiled softly. "You needed your rest and besides you're so beautiful when you're asleep."

Tears welled in her eyes as she realised that her husband will be leaving shortly and that they won't see each other for several months.

Diego saw her lower lip tremble and took her into his arms and held her tight. "Oh querida." his voice shaken, he too felt wretched at the thought of leaving her. "I wish you could come with me today." he planted a light kiss to her head, slowly rocking her. He was going to miss her so much.

Victoria didn't want him to see her upset, so she held down her sorrow. "I know Diego, I wish I was going too."

She pulled back from his embrace, grimaced in pain as she turned away. "Come with me." he took her by the hand and led her through a second door from his bedroom.

She looked around in amazement at the luxurious bathroom. It was smaller than his bedroom but it was bright and open, the colours lighter, more creams and pale greens. On one side was a sink, with a mirror above and a small table, with his shaving gear and towel. On a chair was nearby, Victoria saw her clothes, now washed and pressed. But it was the large bath of the far side, which drew her eyes. She had never seen such a large bath. It was a long bath too, she would be able to stretch her legs out, not like the bath at the tavern, where she had to bend her knees. Nearby was a rack with a very soft looking towel over it. Diego was pleased at her stunned reaction, he always wanted to give Victoria the luxuries that she never had.

The bath was filled with warm clean water with rose petals scattered in the water. "Oh Diego, it's wonderful." she said, placed her hand into the water.

"Get in, it will help relax your sore muscles." he said.

Victoria dropped the robe to the floor and was not at all embarrassed at being naked in front of Diego. In fact, she was very pleased to see his eyes widen in appreciation.

"The bath helped me." he voice deep and husky as he gazed at her soft curves. Dios, if we had time, I would take her back to bed, he groaned as his trousers became somewhat tight.

She slowly sank into the warm rose covered water, smiling at him. "Care to join me." she said invitingly, she had noticed his growing desire and she felt her own desire rising in response.

Diego regretfully shook his head. "As much as I want too, the bath isn't big enough for two. Just relax." He gave her one last lingering gaze, wanting to commit to his memory the sight of her reclining in the bath before he left her alone.

Victoria sank deeper into the warm water. Diego was right, she thought, it was wonderful to relax her tired muscles. She let herself float, her mind wandering and she felt herself drifting off into a light sleep. Presently she washed before she stepped out of the bath and reached for the luxuriously soft towel from the rack and dried herself, then dressed in her clothes. She knew that she had to be strong for Diego's sake, she wouldn't let him see how heart broken she was over their parting.

Victoria re-entered the bedroom to find Diego at his desk.

He smiled lovingly as he saw her come in. "You look rested." he stood up taking her hand.

She grinned back. "You were right, the bath was wonderful."

For the first time, they were a little uncomfortable with each other, neither one knew what to say. "Come, let's go find the others." he said softly, he led the way, their hands clasped together.

One hour later, the de la Vegas and the Portez's were at the front gates of the hacienda. A wagon was loaded with not only Diego's trunks but also with the Portez's, although Margarite had kept a smaller trunk to use while she stayed with Victoria. They had decided to use their own wagon for transport instead of the public coach and Jose would drive them there.

Miguel was standing with his wife when Diego came up to them and he drew Margarite into a hug. "I can't thank you enough for staying with Victoria, Margarite." he said.

She kissed his cheek. "I believe that Victoria would do the same, if the situation was reversed."

Diego nodded. "Si, she would."

He turned to his father. "Take care of Victoria, father."

"I will Diego and I will make sure that both ladies board that ship next month."

They embraced warmly. "Gracias father, I will miss you." Diego's voice shook.

"And I will miss you too son." Don Alejandro said, his own voice unsteady. "Make sure you write more often then you did before Diego."

They chuckled together, remembering the occasional letter that he had sent home. "I promise."

Don Alejandro pulled Diego back into an embrace, tears welling in his eyes. "I love you Diego and I am proud of you."

Diego felt his own eyes burning with unshed tears at his father's admission of love. He hugged him tight. "I love you too father."

Next Diego turned to his adopted son and pulled him into a tight embrace. "I know that we haven't spent much time together recently..."

Felipe grinned and signed, causing Diego to grin back. "Well, yes I did have other things on my mind. Just wait until you find that special senorita and see how distracted you become." He teased.

Felipe ducked his head, embarrassed.

"Felipe, take care of your grandfather."

The young man nodded.

"And now that you have a new mother, do as she says, and look after each other, at least until she sails in a month's time."

Felipe signed 'I promise'

Diego placed his hands on Felipe's shoulders. "Although you are not my son by blood, in my heart you are my son and that is what counts."

The tears were welling again in Diego's eyes. "I love you my son."

Felipe signed, tears running down his face. 'I love you too father"

They embraced again.

Victoria stood apart from the others, she was white faced and she was trying to hold back her sobs as she watched Diego say goodbye to those he love. It was heart breaking scene.

He crossed over to his wife, pulled her into his strong arms, making no attempt to hide his own sorrow from parting from the only woman he had ever loved. "Querida." he whispered as they held each other tightly. He caressed her face with his hand, moving his fingers through her wavy hair and slowly and tenderly kissed her. "I love you Victoria." he whispered, his tears finally fell down his cheeks.

"I love you too Diego." she whispered back, her own tears, running down her face. They kissed again, more urgently, almost frantically. They clung to each other, their lips parted and their tongues entwined, their bodies pressed against each other.

They pulled apart, gasping for breath as they gazed desperately at each other, neither one wanted to let go. "Take care of father and Felipe." he said hoarsely as he gently wiped her tears away.

She nodded, her hand caressed his face, wiped away his tears and ran her fingers over his moustache. They kissed one more time before he pulled away from her embrace and joined Miguel, who had said his own heart wrenching goodbyes to his wife and young daughter.

Margarite crossed to Victoria and placed a comforting arm around her waist as they both watched their husbands ride away. Both Diego and Miguel turned around occasionally to wave. It wasn't until the wagon was out of sight that the two women walked back into the hacienda.

Victoria sat down heavily on the lounge in the library and looked at Margarite, who was crying. "This is the first time I have been apart from Miguel since we've been married."

"Dios." was all that Victoria could say, as the floodgates opened on her own emotions and the two women held each other as they cried.

Diego and Miguel were silent from some time, both lost in his own thoughts. Diego's heart was almost breaking. To finally have everything he had dreamt about for years come true, only to have it wrenched away, was harder to cope with than he had thought possible.

Miguel knew it must be hard to leave a bride a day after the wedding and then be apart for several months would be devastating. He didn't think he could have done it. "The time will go fast Diego and before you know it our wives will be back to torment us." He grinned.

Diego managed a small smile himself. "I hope so, for both of us. Miguel, I can never repay you and Margarite for..."

Miguel interrupted. "Don't worry about it Diego. Besides we are even now."

"What do you mean?

"If you hadn't taken a beautiful senorita out boating that day, I would never have found the woman of my dreams." Miguel said sincerely. They looked at each other, remembering that day long ago.

Diego nodded, accepting the kind-hearted gesture between old friends.

Don Alejandro persuaded Victoria to stay at the hacienda, along with Margarite. "It's your home now."

"But..."

"No buts Victoria, you are the mistress of this house now and I know that Diego would want you to stay in his rooms, which are yours now. No arguing." he stated firmly.

Victoria smiled warmly, she would do anything for her father-in-law. She had loved him like a father for many years now.

Later that evening, she was sitting on Diego's...no, she thought, their bed, and felt strange to be there without him. The bed had been changed with clean sheets but as the room reminded her so much of him that she almost started crying again. Then she noticed a letter on his desk, addressed to her.

Querida,

As I sit here, I gaze in wonder at you asleep in our bed, looking so beautiful, so peaceful. I find myself overwhelmed by such a feeling of love so deep, that it will last for all eternity. Victoria, you have made my life complete, without you there is no life. I love you.

Your devoted husband Diego.

Victoria was crying as she read his love letter, that she almost missed the second page, along with another note. It was a bank draft three thousad pesos to be paid yearly to Dona Victoria De la Vaga.

Querida,

I have authorised an account for your use, at our bank both here in Los Angeles and also in Madrid. Victoria, don't be angry or upset or get that famous Escalante temper riled up. Please, mi preciosa use the money, it's yours. If you require more, I will increase the amount. Living in Madrid is more expensive than living in Los Angeles. Just ask Margarite and she will be able to tell you more about that than I can.

Forever yours, Diego.

Victoria's hand shook. Three thousand pesos! It would take her almost four years to make that amount in profits from the tavern but he is giving her that each year. Her temper did rise, she felt as though she had been sold for three thousands pesos. Like a dowry. Well, she can buy things from her own money.

She went in search of Margarite and found her in the guest room, putting Katherine down in the crib

"Hola Victoria." she said softly.

"Hola Margarite." Victoria stood by the crib, her anger gone completely as she gazed down at the sleeping baby, wondering if even now she was carrying Diego's child. She hoped so, as she unconsciously rubbed her smooth stomach.

Margarite had noticed that she was in a temper when she came in the room, but then it disappeared fast as she melted at the sight of Katherine. She smiled. "You know we never did discuss relations between men and women."

Victoria blushed. "No we didn't...but Diego was so..." her blush deepened even more.

Margarite placed a hand on her arm knowingly. "I'm glad. Now Victoria what is the matter. You came in here like the devil was after you."

Victoria nodded. "It's this." She handed over the draft and the note to Margarite.

Margarite quickly read the note and when she saw the sum of money, she whistled appreciatively. "He's very generous Victoria."

"But...But I can't take his money." she was confused by Margarite's reaction.

Margarite knew that Victoria came from a different class than her own and Diego's. She had to tread carefully and not insult her. She sat on the bed and motioned Victoria to do the same. "Victoria, you know that you have married into a wealthy family."

She nodded. "They are the richest in the area."

"That's true but they are the second richest in all of California, behind De Notoz family in Monterey."

Victoria stared at Margarite. "I didn't know that."

"Si, the de la Vegas are also very well respected both here in California and in Madrid."

She nodded, understanding. "This is about being Doña d la Vega, isn't it?"

Margarite nodded. "Si but also about being the wife of a University Professor, it is usual for Doñas to receive an allowance from their husbands. This is to run their household, pay the servants, to host parties both large and small, and to dress suitably for the occasion."

Victoria bristled at this. "Diego likes how I dress."

Margarite smiled. "I'm sure he does, you do have good fashion sense but this isn't..."

"This isn't Madrid." She sighed, she was beginning to understand just how much her life was going to change from here on in.

"Margarite, do you get an allowance?"

"Si, I do, but I don't spend it on frivolous things and Diego would know that you wouldn't either."

"So you think I should use the money."

"Yes, Victoria, I believe you should. You will need an entire wardrobe, get some new clothes made before we leave and have the rest done in Madrid. Do you have any travelling trunks?"

She sighed. "Only one and it is old."

"Well, buy another, perhaps two. That's why Diego gave you the allowance and it would give him pleasure knowing that he can afford to give you these things. And it also allows you freedom, in that you don't have to ask for money every time you wish to buy something."

Victoria nodded, knowing that Margarite was right. "So would you like to help me go shopping." Victoria grinned.

"I would love to." Margarite grinned back.