Alejandro paused in the doorway of his son's room, and watched him sleep. Victoria had been there the whole time, and had been handy when Diego's raised temperature became a raging fever. Nursing his son had exhausted everyone, and at times during the previous night, Alejandro had been sure that his son would not survive to see the morning.

Victoria dozed in the seat near the bed, but he hadn't the heart to disturb her. Diego seemed peaceful and deep in a natural sleep, so different than the feverish deliriums that had plagued him. Only Victoria had been able to soothe him in the heights of the fever, and most of the servants had noted it. Gossip spread like wildfire over the pueblo, and perhaps to Diego's advantage. Perhaps grandchildren would be a greater possibility than he had been led to believe lately.

A woman cleared her throat nearby, and Alejandro turned.

"Senora Azarola," he said softly. He put a finger to his lips and closed the door quietly.

"Is he alright? I've heard rumours he was dead," Isabella said.

"No, not dead," Alejandro said thoughtfully. "Senora…"

"I need to talk to you, Alejandro," she murmured. He took her offered arm automatically, and she led him to the library.

He waited for her to sit, and then he sat to the side and waited.

"Alejandro…"

"Yes," he murmured, realising she used his first name without the title.

"I want to thank you for all your support."

Alejandro glanced away for a moment. She was saying just what she ought to say, but it hurt a little.

"My children were in the safest of hands over these last couple of days," she added. She glanced up at him, and then quickly at the floor. "You are a very calm, sure man, full of confidence…. I appreciate all your help and support…."

She was repeating herself now, Alejandro realised.

"It was a pleasure to be able to offer it, Senora."

She smiled. "I would appreciate it if you would call me Isabella, Alejandro."

"Isabella…" Alejandro glanced at her, and their eyes met. A pretty blush reddened her small face, and she looked away first. "It is a little informal…"

"We are friends, and we are to remain friends, Alejandro."

"Yes, I suppose so, Isabella."

"Diego calls me Isabella," she said thoughtfully. "If he does, why not you?"

"He is young enough to court you…" Alejandro stopped, and tried to think of something different to say.

She looked at him in surprise. "Diego wants Victoria. Everyone is talking about it, Alejandro. I am pleased for them. It was obvious he loved her."

She stared at him for a few moments, and then away. "Before I married Francisco I was courted by men older than you, Alejandro, and they were pleased to call me Isabella."

He smiled a little. "It's hard to imagine."

"My father appreciated men who had fortunes, and standing in the community. Some men even had standing in court. Francisco had a fortune, but as a young man, his reputation wasn't built yet. My father is a loving man, and saw our love for one another as well as the money."

"If I was…was to…"

"Alejandro?"

"If I was to offer my…"

"What are you trying to say, Alejandro?" She said gently.

He shook his head. He wasn't sure what he wanted to say. He'd barely slept for almost a week, due to the worry of Diego's health and safety. He felt a little light headed.

"Alejandro?"

"It's fine. I am an old man with scattered thoughts. It hardly matters…"

"I don't see you as an old man, Alejandro."

His eyes met hers again, and there was a glimmer of encouragement in their blue depths. He took a deep breath to steady himself.

"You are welcome to remain here as long as you wish, Isabella."

"That is hardly appropriate, Alejandro. Gossip is already flying around with Victoria staying here…"

He stood and stared out the window at the clouds. "Isabella…"

"Yes, Alejandro?"

"I would like to suggest something….It may shock you," Alejandro said slowly.

"I have been shocked a lot lately. I hardly think you are going to take a knife to my throat or threaten to kill me or my children… Please, continue Alejandro."

"I am an old man….well, much older than you are. I am old enough to be your father."

"Yes. I am Diego's age, so I can see that."

"Yes, well… You are more suited to Diego than me."

"No. I make Diego nervous, and in turn he makes me nervous. I am not suited to Diego."

"I see."

"Francisco was a calm, gentle man, but he was always in control of his destiny and plans. He was always calm…well, not always, but it did take a lot to make him lose his temper."

"I am not like that, Isabella. I am an angry man. I rail and rant and get nowhere with this government, this alcalde and his regime."

"Not near me you haven't. You have always been the perfect gentleman near me."

He glanced at her. He tried to remember Elena sitting there with such an expression of innate trust and belief in him on her face, but she had never been like that. Elena had been a woman of much more spirit, although she was able to hide it from the rest of the world with ease.

He thought about her statement. Elena would have him railing and ranting about all sorts of issues, and she had loved to debate them with him. Isabella would never dream of doing such a thing. She would be a balm for his loneliness, and he could be a defender for her and her children.

"I was wondering… would you allow me…"

"What, Alejandro?"

"Could I… may I…begin to court you?"

Isabella smiled a little, and blushed. "Was that so hard?"

Alejandro laughed. "You knew what was in my heart all this time, and you…"

"I waited… It's hardly my place to ask you, is it?"

He sighed. "And your answer?"

"Yes, I will allow you to court me. You can write to my father in Madrid as well. I can hardly be courted without his consent."

"Yes, yes of course."

Zzz

Diego stirred in his own bed, and gazed at Victoria resting in the chair through half closed eyelids. She looked so exhausted. She seemed to be the same clothes they had been in as hostages. The fabric was dusty and torn in places, but she had not changed her clothes.

It meant that he had been very ill indeed, he reasoned. He sighed a little, and Victoria opened her eyes immediately.

"Diego, are you in pain? Are you hot? Are you cold?"

"Hush, querida. No fussing," he murmured. His voice was a little weak for his liking, but it got a smile from the woman he loved, and that was worth everything in the world to him. "So we are alright?"

"Alright? You frightened me half to death last night!"

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I should have paid more attention to the shoulder wound. It was inflamed, wasn't it?"

"You're lucky no one wanted to cut it off, Diego."

"Really?"

"Sepsis," Victoria said softly. "It was heading in that direction, Hernandez said, and if it went there, he would have had no choice but to cut it off. He had to warn your father."

"I know about sepsis," Diego murmured. "Cactus tea?" He said hopefully. He needed both of his arms. A one armed man with a mask would be easy to spot outside his mask, even if he could still fight for justice.

"We gave you gallons of it."

"Good."

Victoria was quiet for a moment, and Diego found himself wondering what his life would have been like with one arm. He dreaded to imagine.

"Where's my father?"

"He was here a moment ago."

"You were asleep when I woke up. My father could be anywhere, querida," he said gently. His eyes teased her a little. She smiled, and went to the bedside. He grasped her hand, and squeezed it weakly.

"I will be alright, querida. I am healthy and strong, and I have you." He raised her hand to his lips, trapped in her brown eyes for a moment. "From this moment on, I am just getting stronger."