Chapter 2
Several days later, Victoria and her girls were busy with their customers, when a stranger strode confidently through the doors. She looked up and gasped. She saw a young, tall, dark haired, very handsome gentleman, who was sporting a somewhat familiar moustache. But what struck her the most were his eyes. They were blue in colour, full of kindness and amusement, reminding Victoria of the eyes of a certain masked man. Her heart pounded so hard in her chest that she thought it would explode. Was he...? Was she looking at HIM, at Zorro unmasked?
The stranger glanced around the tavern with a smile and saw a beautiful senorita staring at him as though she recognised him. He chuckled to himself, he had received that reaction a lot lately. He walked over to the counter where Victoria was standing and he bowed slightly. "Are you the owner of this lovely tavern?" he asked in a soft tenor.
Victoria felt a small blush creep over her face at his compliment, thinking how handsome he was. And by his manners and dress, he was obviously a gentleman and recently arrived from Spain. "Si Senor, I am. Are you looking for a room for the night?" she smiled at him.
"Si, Senorita...?"
"Victoria Escalante and you Senor...?"
"Dominic Sanchez at your service Senorita Escalante." he bowed lightly again.
Again Victoria was hit by another wave of familiarity, surely he couldn't be…? But as Sanchez straightened up, she noticed a scar on his left check, which ran down to his throat and from the look of it, it was an old scar. She knew that Zorro had no such mark.
Senor Sanchez noticed where her gaze was and smiled. "That scar was a gift from a cousin of mine, when I was a small child." he said with amusement in his voice.
Victoria blush deepened, she was horrified at her bad manners. "I...I'm sorry Senor, I...I didn't mean to stare." she stuttered.
"It's okay Senorita Escalante, I'm use to it." He paused. "That's a lovely cameo you are wearing."
Victoria nodded as she held the cameo in her hand. "Gracias Senor."
Sanchez saw the soft look that came over the beautiful senorita's face and it became obvious to him that it was a gift from a loved one, perhaps even a lover. Whoever it was, it was evident that she loved him. He sighed to himself, any chance of a mild flirtation with the senorita was rapidly decreasing. Too bad, he thought, she was one of the most beautiful woman he had seen for a long time.
Victoria turned slightly and removed the key from the hook, for her best room. "Here you are Senor, up the stairs, the last room on the left."
"Gracias senorita." He gallantly raised her hand to her lips and planted a soft kiss to the back of her hand, before he picked up his bags and went upstairs.
Sergeant Mendoza slowly crossed the tavern and stood beside Victoria, he too had noticed the similarities to a certain masked bandit. "Senorita Victoria, who was that caballero? He looks like..."
Victoria shook her head. "That's Senor Dominic Sanchez and no, he isn't Zorro."
"Oh, how do you know?"
"He has a scar on his face, which Zorro doesn't have."
Mendoza smiled, feeling relieved. "That's good Senorita Victoria."
She looked at him curiously. "Why is that Sergeant?"
He shrugged as he hitched up his trousers. "Then I would have to arrest him and you know that I don't like to show off my skills as a swordsman."
Victoria stared wide eyed at his words and tried not to laugh. "Of course sergeant, we all know of your great skill." she hid her smile as she wiped down the counter. "Can I get you anything else?"
Mendoza nodded, his eyes lighted up. "Si, senorita, can I have some more of your lovely tamales?"
Victoria smiled widely. "Of course you can." she grinned as she walked through the curtain into her kitchen.
Diego was standing in the doorway of The Guardian office wiping the ink from his hands with a cloth. He had just finished type setting for the following day's edition when he saw Sergeant Mendoza walking out of the tavern with a contented look on his face. He chuckled to himself, only Victoria's cooking could bring such a look of satisfaction to the good sergeant's face, he reflected.
Mendoza saw Don Diego standing by the door. "Hola Don Diego." he called out.
"Hola Sergeant, you look rather pleased with yourself."
Mendoza grinned as he crossed over to the younger man. "Si, Don Diego, Senorita Victoria's cooking is the best." he complimented as a soft look of love crossed his face.
Diego smothered a laugh, it was as though Mendoza loved Victoria's food more than the lady herself. Which was a good thing considering who it was standing in front of him. "Si, Victoria is the best cook in the district."
Mendoza nodded. "Si that she is. And her new guest will find out too."
"Victoria has a patron staying overnight in the tavern?"
"Si, Don Diego, a wealthy caballero from Spain and for a moment..." Mendoza paused, looked around to make sure no-one could hear. "For a moment we thought it was Zorro who had walked through the door."
Diego was startled. "Zorro, you say."
Mendoza nodded. "Si, even Senorita Victoria thought he was Zorro but it seems he has a scar on his face, and as you know, Zorro has no scar."
Diego nodded, wondering who this gentleman was that gained such interest from both Victoria and Mendoza. "Does he have a name Sergeant?"
Mendoza nodded. "Senor Dominic Sanchez."
Diego was startled once more, it couldn't be. "Did you say Dominic Sanchez?"
Mendoza gazed at Diego. "Si, do you know him Don Diego?"
Diego nodded. "If it's the same gentleman, then yes I do..." he paused and looked in the direction of the tavern. "If he has just come from Spain, perhaps I can get some news for the paper. Excuse me Sergeant."
"Of course Don Diego." he watched as the young Don crossed the plaza and walked towards the tavern.
Diego was stunned 'what was he doing here in Los Angeles' he asked himself as he walked through the doors of the tavern. His heart skipped a beat, as it always did, at the sight of the woman he loved.
"Hola Victoria." he said warmly as he reached the bar.
Victoria looked up from placing a tray of clean glasses under the counter. "Hola Diego." she smiled warmly at the sight of her best friend. "What can I do for you?" she asked.
He leant against the bar. "I hear that you have a guest..." but before he could finish his sentence, a loud familiar voice boomed out from upstairs.
"Diego, old friend."
He turned and saw Dominic Sanchez coming down the stairs with a large grin on his face.
Diego grinned back. "Dominic, it's good to see you again. It's been a long time hasn't it."
The two men embraced, pounding each other on the shoulder. "Si, Diego, many years."
Victoria watched curiously, as the two friends chatted, she noticed how similar they looked, both were tall, dark and blue eyes. They could pass for brothers, or perhaps cousins.
Diego noticed Victoria gazing at them. "Please forgive me Victoria, Dominic and I met while I was in Madrid."
She smiled. "I thought as much. I don't mean to be rude but are the two of you related somehow?" she felt a blush creep over her face at her impertinent question.
Both Diego and Dominic chuckled as they exchanged a glance.
"We were often asked that but to answer your question Victoria, yes we are related although distantly." Diego confirmed, smiling at her.
Dominic nodded. "More like cousins, thrice removed."
Victoria smiled back. "I thought so, you both look alike."
Dominic watched shrewdly as the two of them danced around each other. Trust Diego to catch the attention of most beautiful woman in the area for himself, he thought to himself. Now he knew who gave the cameo to the Senorita.
Diego wasn't aware of the knowing look that his cousin was giving him and asked. "So what brings you here to California?"
"Well, mother thought it might be best." Dominic said innocently but Diego didn't believe him.
"Ok Dominic, who was she?"
"What ever do you mean Diego." he smiled innocently.
Diego grinned. "Hmmm, have it your own way then."
Dominic slapped his cousin on the back. "I usually do. But Diego tell me, why haven't you married yet."
Victoria smiled as she saw Diego squirm. She had heard that question a lot and she was interested in what he had to say.
Diego shrugged and hid a smile as he noticed that Victoria was listening. "I guess I'm waiting for the right woman to come along. But I could ask you to the same thing."
Dominic grinned. "Perhaps I haven't met the right one either, even though mother keeps trying to match me with up any number of lovely senoritas."
They laughed together. "I know how that feels. How long are you staying for?" Diego asked.
"Only tonight, I'm going to Santa Paula tomorrow, but I'll be back and should be able to stay longer then."
Diego nodded. "Well, you must come for dinner tonight at the hacienda and then we would be happy if you stayed with us when you return. Father would be happy to see you."
"That would be wonderful, gracias Diego."
As they chatted, another stranger strode conceitedly through the open doors of the tavern. He was slightly older than the two cousins, but similar in build, tall, light brown hair and he was sporting a moustache and a goatee.
"Can I help you Senor?" Victoria asked as he stood beside them.
"Monsieur Henri Martineau, senorita." he replied with a heavy French accent. "I am looking for a room for several nights." he smiled as he gave Victoria a once over glance, which took in her beauty and her relative youth, and he liked what he saw. Perhaps when he has finished his business in this small dusty pueblo, he could make some time for pleasure, he mused.
"Si, I have a room for you. It will be four pesos per night." she replied politely as she handed the keys to him. "Up the stairs and second last door on the left."
"That will be fine senorita, merci." He bowed slightly and moved towards the stairs.
Her instincts made her wary of him, especially the way he looked at her. She had on a number of occasions, received unpleasant attention from men but she knew how to handle them, after all, she has run the tavern for many years, but it still made her feel uneasy.
Diego noticed her apprehension. "Is anything wrong Victoria?"
Victoria shook her head. "No not really, but there was something about that man. It's just a feeling I have."
"Well senorita, your instincts are correct." Dominic said quietly. "We travelled together on the voyage here and well let's say that there is a lot of arrogance about him."
Diego watched the Frenchman walk up the stairs, he bears watching, he thought, and he didn't like the way he had stared at Victoria.
Later that afternoon, Felipe was in the pueblo on an errand for Don Alejandro when he saw the Frenchman leave the Alcalde's office. He was to far away to hear what they were saying but he read "Capture" and "Zorro" on the Alcalde's lips. The two men shook hands before Martineau strode across to the stables and saddled his horse. Felipe watched him ride out of the pueblo and he knew that he had to warn his adopted father, who had returned to the hacienda to let his father know about Dominic's visit and to warm their cook about the extra guest for dinner.
Felipe found Diego in the cave, sitting at his desk with a wistful smile on his face, staring off at the far wall. He grinned, he had a feeling that Diego was daydreaming about a certain senorita. Not that he blamed him, Victoria was a beautiful lady. He blushed slightly, he had a small crush on her, something that even Diego wasn't aware of.
Diego saw movement from the corner of his eye and pulled himself away from his pleasant thoughts. "Ah Felipe, you're back." he smiled at his son.
Felipe signed.
"Well, yes I was having a nice dream."
Felipe grinned and made the sign for Victoria and to his surprise, he saw a small blush creep over Diego's neck.
Diego reached out to swat his arm but missed. He had indeed been thinking about his lady, of how soft and inviting her sweet lips were, the feel of her warm, soft body in his arms. 'Dios, I must stop thinking of her, otherwise I might disgrace myself' he told himself.
He sighed. "Did you finish the errand for my father?"
Felipe nodded and signed more urgently.
"You saw the Frenchman with the Alcalde?"
Felipe nodded and continued signing.
"They have a plan to capture Zorro, do they?"
Again, the younger man nodded.
Diego grinned. "Well, we can't let that happen can we. I think Zorro needs to find out more about this mysterious Frenchman." he stood up and quickly changed into the black clothes of Zorro.
In the middle of the plaza, the Alcalde and three of his lancers marched up to a young man, no more than eighteen years old and said in a loud clear voice. "Senor Baltreze, you are under arrest."
Baltreze looked up in fright at the lancers surrounding him.
"On what charge Alcalde?" Victoria called out.
de Soto snorted. "That's not your business Senorita."
Victoria couldn't stay silent. "But Jose wouldn't hurt anyone, he's just a kid."
de Soto turned angrily in her direction. "One more word from you, Senorita and you will be joining Baltreze in a cell."
"Really Alcalde, is that anyway to speak to a lady?" came a familiar drawl.
de Soto whirled around and saw his archenemy leaning nonchalantly against the mission chapel wall. "Zorro. Lancers get him!" he yelled at his men.
Victoria beamed with happiness at seeing her love once again and held the cameo tightly in her hand. He gave her a quick wink before he moved away from the wall and quickly defeated the three lancers with ease.
Victoria wasn't the only one watching Zorro. Dominic almost choked as he immediately recognised the masked bandit. There was no mistaking the moves that Zorro was performing against the Alcalde, as Sir Edmund Kendall teachings, and with Sir Edmund's sword too from what he could see. He wondered what he was going to do with this new information about his cousin.
There was a third person, watching Zorro even more intently than Victoria or Dominic. Martineau watched the duel with great interest, absorbing each movement the masked man made. He's good, Martineau thought, but he wasn't fighting a real opponent in the Alcalde, not at all like me, he reflected egotistically.
Zorro disarmed the Alcalde with ease and held his sword to de Soto's throat. "Alcalde, what did young Baltreze do to deserve such an arrest?"
"Well..." de Soto had started to move towards his fallen sword but the point of Zorro's blade moved closer to his neck, and he decided that it would be prudent to stay still. "Baltreze was found with silverware in his saddlebags and he didn't give a good reason for having the expensive pieces."
There were gasps from the gathered crowd.
"Jose wouldn't steal anything Alcalde." Victoria yelled out.
Zorro hid a smile as his love's defence of the young man.
"No, no that's not what happened." a female voice called out. "Jose was taking the silver to be cleane."
All eyes turned towards a middle aged lady stepping down from a wagon.
"Senora de Ramiez, is that true?" Zorro asked.
"Si Zorro, we are planning to sell some of our silver and we needed them cleaned."
Zorro smirked. "Well Alcalde?"
de Soto sighed. "Very well, release him." he ordered his lancers.
"Next time Alcalde, check the facts first before arresting an innocent person." with that remark, Zorro proceeded to carve his mark into the Alcalde's jacket. He whistled for Toronado and turned swiftly when he heard Victoria's voice call out. "Look out behind you Zorro."
He found de Soto reaching for a knife blade hidden in his boot. The last thing that de Soto saw was a black fist coming towards him.
Zorro quickly crossed the plaza to his lady and was thrilled to see her still wearing his gift. "Gracias Senorita, for your timely warning." he kissed her hand softly.
Victoria all but bounced on her toes at his gesture. "You're welcome Zorro." she smiled warmly.
He glanced behind him, saw the Alcalde was stirring once more. "Alas, our time is always so short." his voice warm and tender. Victoria blushed as he kissed her hand again, before he leapt onto Toronado's back and galloped away.
He doubled back to the pueblo and moved silently to the rear of the tavern. He knew he was taking a risk returning but he needed to know more about the Frenchman. He also wanted to see Victoria again, she kept drawing him to her more and more. Especially after their conversation on Christmas Day, they needed to find a way to be together.
Victoria passed through the curtain, that separated the taproom from the kitchen, and she went straight to the fire and stirred the soup that was gently simmering in the pot.
"Querida." a soft voice called from behind her.
Victoria swirled around with a beaming smile that lit up her whole face. "Zorro." then a look of concern crossed her face. "It's dangerous for you to be here." she said softly as she moved closer to him.
He took her hand and pulled her into the storeroom. It was a tight squeeze with both of them in the small room. "I would risk anything for a taste of your sweet kiss." he whispered as he bent his head and brushed his warm lips against hers.
Victoria melted at the wonderful caress and pressed herself against him and tried to deepen their kiss but he pulled back, now wasn't the time for such embraces. Victoria realised this too but was disappointed at the same time.
Zorro chuckled as he caressed her face with his hand. "Another time querida, when we cannot be disturbed."
She nodded and smiled. "So Zorro, what would you like to know?"
He was startled. "What do you mean?"
It was Victoria's turn to chuckle. "I rarely see you during the day, unless you want some information." she was surprised to see him rather embarrassed.
"Um...Well...how perceptive of you querida. I'm sorry if I take you for granted."
She placed her two fingers on his lips. "Shh Zorro, its okay I was only teasing you and besides I feel like I am helping in your cause." she gently smoothed his moustache with her fingers.
Zorro had to hold back a moan at her loving caress. He pressed his lips against her fingertips. "Querida, you do help me." He removed her fingers and held her hand in his. "This Frenchman, what do you know about him?"
Victoria shrugged. "Not much, he only just arrived today but I don't like him, I can't explain it. Why do you ask?"
"I believe that he isn't here for our lovely weather." Zorro gently held her face in both his hands and gazed intently into her eyes. "Victoria, promise me that you will be careful around him."
She shivered at his serious tone. "I promise Zorro."
He nodded. "If there is any trouble, any trouble at all, go to the de la Vegas, they will help you."
Victoria was a little taken back. "The de la Vegas!"
He nodded once more. "Si, I trust them with your safety querida." He kissed her lovingly. "I must go. I love you."
"I love you too Zorro."
She watched as he slipped out of the storeroom, her heart pounding, not only from his passion but also from his warning. She realised that he knew more about the Frenchman than he was telling. She would have been careful anyway but she would be doubly careful from now on.
Zorro didn't leave the tavern but scrambled onto the roof instead. He slowly moved over the tiles towards the room he knew the Frenchman was using. He lowered himself down and looked through the window, saw the room empty and slowly eased himself into the room. "Now what secrets are you hiding monsieur." he muttered as he quickly but thoroughly searched the room.
As he reached under the bed, he felt cold hard steel. He gently pulled the item out from under the bed and whistled in appreciation at the sabre that was now in his hands. "My, my, what are you doing with such a wonderful blade?" He mumbled as he unsheathed the sword and hefted it, feeling the weight and balance. "More importantly, why are you hiding it under your bed?" Zorro's head snapped around as he heard the stairs creak.
Martineau entered his room and found it as he had left it. But if he had looked out of the window, he would have noticed a black clad figure scrambling across the roof.
An hour later Diego ambled back into the tavern to find Dominic holding court. Around him were a number of people including Mendoza, Don Ricardo, and Don Emilio and of course Victoria. As was his habit, Diego furtively glanced around the tavern and saw Martineau sitting on his own drinking what like looked cider. He too was watching the crowd.
Diego smiled as he crossed towards Dominic and realised that he was telling them a story about a certain incident in Madrid, during a lavish ball, which involved himself and a beautiful senora.
Victoria giggled as she looked up at Diego as he sat down. "Poor Diego."
The other men chuckled at the embarrassment that crossed the young man's face.
Diego shrugged. "I didn't know she was married."
Dominic laughed. "I'm sorry Diego but they wanted to know what you were like in Madrid and I couldn't help myself."
Diego huffed. "So I see."
Victoria giggled again. "You don't have much luck with women do you?" She missed the hurt look that crossed his face as she stood up and went to serve a customer. The other gentlemen excused themselves and left the two cousins alone.
"I hope that you didn't tell them what really happened." Diego whispered.
Dominic laughed and shook his head. "Of course not, I don't think these good people are as liberal in matters of the heart as they are in Madrid."
Diego snorted. "No, they're not."
Victoria watched the two cousins whispering together and wondered what they were talking about. As she watched, she realised just how alike they were. Both were tall, dark, and moustached. And both had blue eyes. She gasped remembering that she had thought that Dominic was Zorro, but since that Diego looked similar to his cousin did that mean….No, it couldn't be. 'That's silly' she said to herself 'Diego couldn't be Zorro, that is absurd', she giggled at the thought as she went into the kitchen, to get Diego his drink
"So Diego, how long have you been in love with Senorita Escalante?" Dominic asked softly, after Victoria had given Diego his apple cider.
Diego spluttered into his drink. "What. I don't know what you mean." he tried to sound calm but his heart began pounding.
"Come on Diego, you hide it well, but it still shows."
Diego sighed, he knew that he would not be able to hide anything from his cousin. "Many years."
Dominic whistled softly. "Why haven't you married her?"
Diego shifted uneasily in his seat, glad that no-one was nearby to overhear their conversation. "She loves another."
Dominic thought about it. "It's that masked bandit, this Zorro, the one that paid her attention earlier."
Diego nodded as Dominic continued. "She doesn't know who he is, does she?"
"No she doesn't." Diego shook his head and looked at Dominic, knew that his cousin had discovered all his secrets. "And I want to keep it that way."
Dominic shrugged. "It's your life Diego, but she deserves the truth."
Diego sighed. "I know and I am working on a way to tell her but..."
"But you want to do it in your own way."
"Si, I do." he paused then grinned. "So what's this I hear about you fighting a duel on a cold winter's morning about a year ago.."
Dominic snorted. "It's not what you think..."
As they continued catching up on news, Diego kept a wary eye on Martineau sitting in the corner.