Isabella's fear lined face set her heart seething with unfathomable rage. Victoria breathed. She needed to clear the fog in her head.

"Is he alright?" Isabella murmured, not noticing the fury in Victoria's eyes, or the sternness of her pretty mouth. "Is he hurt?"

Diego de la Vega had a lot to answer for, Victoria thought, agitatedly scrubbing a watermark on the table that was never going to come off anyway, in a strange effort to upset the nervous Senora further.

"Victoria?"

"Diego? Oh, he'll live Senora…" Red hot jealousy shot through her body, as she watched Isabella rush upstairs.

zzz

Isabella Azarola was a kind, generous lady. Beautiful with golden hair and pretty blue eyes, strong and calm and intelligent. Just the perfect woman for Diego, if only he would see it. Everyone else saw it.

Victoria sighed. Her emotions were all over the place. She had been stupid and ignited something between the two men – what it was she had no idea. Zorro would have been ashamed of her for flirting so openly in the middle of the tavern. She wasn't still sure why she had done it.

Zorro was hardly going to visit her again. Gossip grew and spread like wildfire in the pueblo, facts were twisted out of all proportion to reality at times. She would be branded something distasteful and he would shun her like the rest of the town.

And Diego? He had warned her, more than once to be on guard around the soldier. She had chosen to disregard his words, to ignore her best friend. To ridicule and distrust such a wise friend…what had she been thinking?

She glanced upwards and wondered how he was. He was as stubborn as he'd ever been. She remembered how stubborn he had been as a young boy, and she had been such a hanger on. Those frowning eyebrows had been laughable, especially when she realised his rage toward her had only ever been momentary even as children. She had pushed enthusiastically into every game, bringing reproach from her brothers, with pushing and shoving and teasing at times. Diego had always stood up for her, without fail. It would lead to scuffles in the dirt, black eyes and dirty torn trousers.

She smiled a little. Always a hero, Diego had been better than a brother. He had always been at her side, except for those few years at University. She had daydreamed about him once. She sighed. The man had just changed far too much. Where had that spirit gone? Was Zorro that much a hero that he had discouraged something in Diego? Was he jealous of Zorro's skills?

Diego's skills were with words, she remembered. Words were a powerful thing in the right man. Perhaps she could encourage him into politics or something? He could run for the office of alcalde. He would be better than the one they currently had. Surely he would nurture and care for the people. He didn't have to be a swordsman. Zorro could do that for him.

Alejandro was staring at her again. He wanted to say something to her, he had been waiting for a long time. Maybe she should listen to him….

"Don Alejandro," she began. "How is our ill friend?"

Alejandro gave a reluctant grin. "He's been physically sick all afternoon. I almost feel sorry for him."

She immediately felt sorry for Diego. It wasn't as if he made a habit of drinking. It was stupid of him, but he didn't deserve to suffer like that.

"I'll bring up some clear broth. He'll need something to eat. That and some lemonade," Victoria said softly. She was glad for the excuse to be busy again. She wasn't sure what Alejandro wanted to say, but he seemed so serious, so determined to tell her something, that she was afraid. Maybe she didn't want to know what he wanted to say.

She dashed into the kitchen, not before noticing Alejandro sigh, and thump gloves against hand. He was frustrated with her. She sighed too, but began to prepare the soup and a small jug of lemonade.

Zzz

Leaving Pilar in the kitchen to manage alone, Victoria took a tray upstairs and paused outside Diego's room. She shifted the tray onto one hip to get the door, but Felipe was at her side. He smiled shyly at her, and ushered her into the room.

Diego was sitting up, reading a book. He looked very pale, and a little green still. He smiled at her wearily.

"I can just put it down and leave, if you like," she said softly.

"Do you have time to stay and talk for a few moments?" He asked tiredly. "I feel I need to try to explain myself…"

She shrugged, and placed the tray on the side table. She sat near the bed.

"Where were you all this time?"

"I was Jack. I worked at the estate of Don Carlos with the other vaqueros."

"Why on earth did he hire you? Your skills are not the greatest in the territory… I'm sorry, Diego," she said, suddenly embarrassed. "I shouldn't say such things."

"I learnt quickly, shall we say?"

She stared at him with curiosity. His voice was still weak, but there was an edge to it. His mouth was frowning slightly.

"I'm so sorry, Diego. I didn't listen. I brought problems on myself."

"Yes."

"I just…I just wanted…"

"You just wanted, what?"

"Zorro to notice me," she whispered. "If he was in the tavern, and saw that someone desired me, even just a little bit… It was stupid…. I know it was stupid."

He stared at her for a moment and nodded thoughtfully. "Love makes fools of everyone. Zorro does not deserve you."

She stared into his eyes. "I don't deserve him either. He is a hero. I am a mere tavern keeper. We will never be together. We can dream all we want. His kisses…his embraces…"

"What about them?"

"They make me burn with unmet desire, if you must know."

He lifted his dark eyebrows, and drew in his breath.

"I am scandalous. I may as well be honest with you. I am no better than any other bar maid in the territories."

He reached out and grasped her hand.

"Never say that, Victoria. Good grief…never say that."

"The gossips will have a field day tomorrow."

"So what?"

"My tavern is my livelihood, my income. If my customers stop coming, I will go out of business very quickly."

Diego frowned again, and squeezed her hand gently. It comforted her strangely.

"Can we organise a picnic or something?"

"What a strange suggestion, Diego. As if I have time for picnics…."

"Victoria, if I must I will pay you whatever you wish…"

"I am not a trollop!"

Diego laughed softly. "No, I'm stupid. No, of course you are not a trollop. I just need you to come to a picnic."

She frowned and stared at his face. He looked drained and ill, but laughter still hung in his eyes. She smiled, and squeezed his hand.

"I suppose we could go on a picnic."

"Good. Isabella and the children will be joining us, so there will be no issue of damaged reputations," Diego said, watching her face closely.

Victoria drew in her breath, as a million thoughts buzzed in her head. She realised his sharp blue eyes caught the sparks of anger in her eyes, and she mastered her jealousy and the flare of rage with surprising skill. She let out the sigh, and nodded.

"That's very good, Diego. I wouldn't want it any other way," she murmured. Her eyes seemed to be caught in his for a few moments. She saw a flicker of pride in their depths, and acceptance, and a warmth she had not noticed before.

"Thank you, Victoria. You have no idea how much that means to me. Truly," he murmured, and gently raised her hand to his lips. He brushed the back of her hand with a breath of a kiss, that sent a shiver of half recognition through her. She ignored it with difficulty.

"Would you like to pass you the broth? It will get cold quickly," she said, rising to fetch the tray. Diego watched her and sighed.

"I think the lemonade would be best right now, Victoria. I'll eat once my stomach settles a little."

"Lemonade on an empty stomach will do you no good, Diego," she fussed. "You will eat a little soup first."

"Yes, mother," he whispered with a grin. He accepted her suggestion, and ate a few mouthfuls before truly realising it was delicious. He finished the bowl under her watchful gaze, and received a glass of lemonade for his efforts.

"What are you reading?"

"Nothing that would interest you," he murmured, putting the book under the blankets. She hunted it out, and glanced at the cover.

"Shakespearean sonnets?"

"I was thinking about what you said the other week. The woman I love….I can't forget her. I left to become Jack to see if I could. I will have to tell her. Perhaps if I quote some love poetry…"

"Sonnets? They are very romantic. Hardly your style," she said softly. She flicked the book open, and glanced through, stopping at some of her personal favourites.

"One must make sacrifices for love," Diego said, with a strange look in his eyes. "It is all the fashion on the Continent."

"I thought you might write some of your own poetry…. It is always very interesting."

"She is a very romantic lady, Victoria. I hardly think strange, unrhymed words would suffice."

She nodded vaguely. "I like your poetry…. You must include some."

"Very well then. Shall I mention her hair, do you think?"

"What colour is it?" Victoria said suddenly, thinking of Isabella's beautiful golden hair.

"Black as a crow's wing. Black as Zorro's cape. Black as night," he whispered. "Black like yours."