Chapter 5
Victoria's Tavern...
Victoria struggled to control her displeasure at seeing Aria and Diego returned to the tavern together. The soldier's sister was jealous but refused to admit it. Why couldn't she forget about Zorro and give Diego a chance? They would be good together if she would only give him a chance, Ramon thought.
"Have we interrupted something, Ramon?" Diego smirked.
"No, Victoria was wondering where you were."
"Didn't you tell her?"
'No, I was about to tell her before you came in. How was your tour of the Guardian?"
"Don Diego's article on the alcalde's unjust spending is a wonderful way to educate the public and offer a voice for the people. He fights his battles with pen and ink instead of a sword."
Victoria regarded her friend thoughtfully. I never thought of it that way.
"DeSoto is instituting a new tax."
"Aren't we taxed enough already? I'm sure he has an ulterior motive."
"I need to talk to Don José about a story for the Guardian and Desoto's new tax...I'm afraid that our tour will have to be postponed. I apologize, señorita but I will make it up to you, I promise."
"Perhaps, I will get some time later," Aria answered disappointed that their time together had been interrupted.
"I would enjoy showing you the rest of the pueblo," Ramon volunteered, "With your permission, of course, señorita."
"Gracias, señor. It would be an honor."
I don't know what is worse…Aria spending time with Diego or with my brother. It seems that I cannot win no matter what I do.
The Plaza...
"Your sister is not very fond of me, Ramon." Aria had a talent for reading people, noticeably his sister.
"My sister envies your relationship with Diego."
"My relationship with Diego? I am a guest at his hacienda...Diego is interested in someone else."
"Who do you think Diego is in love with?"
"He loves Victoria, even though he keeps it well hidden."
"My sister has her heart set on Zorro…I don't know but what can be done about it."
"A little competition can be a good thing. Don't you think so, Senor?"
ZZZ
"You seem awfully quiet, Victoria." She couldn't still be upset about me escorting Aria this morning?
"I'm fine, Diego." Victoria cleared away the last of the dishes before returning to the kitchen.
"Are you worried about Ramon, perhaps?"
"Why should I be worried? He can take care of himself."
"Ramon seems interested in Aria."
"They barely know each other."
"She is an attractive woman and he is an eligible man."
"You sound like your father. They have just met."
"Are you a little jealous of Aria?"
"Why would I be jealous?"
"She is a beautiful, educated, charming and intelligent if I do say so myself."
"The proper Diego de la Vega has noticed Senorita Franco's charms. I am surprised!"
"I am capable of noticing a beautiful woman. I am a man after all! I was engaged before, if you remember."
"I know that Diego but Aria," she huffed, "What is so fascinating about her?"
"Every time I pay the slightest bit of interest to any woman, you get jealous. I remember how you reacted when Amanda Herrera visited Los Angeles." I did not see her as a potential wife but Victoria did, evidently.
"Senorita Herrera is staying at the de la Vega hacienda? The first single woman to appear in two years and suddenly Diego is the gracious host."
"Do I detect a hint of envy, Senorita Escalante?"
"Don't be silly… Diego's not my type at all!"
"A young, single woman staying at a hacienda with two bachelors. It simply isn't done..."
"Have you no faith in me or my judgment?"
"Aria Franco is not the right woman for you." How could a son of Don Alejandro not show some of his temper? Diego is complicated… If only he would let it show.
"And who would that be, Victoria? How do you know that Aria is not that special someone and if she is then what is your objection, besides, her past, of course."
"Someone who loves you …someone who inspires you to be the man I saw in Santa Paula. You think you know me so well, Diego don't give me that look…"
"What look?"
"That look…I can't describe it... it just irritates me," she huffed as she turned away from Diego's enquiring gaze, "It really doesn't matter."
"I have not been spending a lot of time at the tavern. The paper has taken a lot of my time and energy…"
It's not the paper that's been monopolizing your time, it's Aria and everyone knows it, Diego…
"You cannot fault me for defending her, Victoria."
"Aria can take care of herself…you had to be her knight in shining armor! You could have gotten yourself arrested or worse."
"Ignacio has no reason to arrest me…I was doing what a true de la Vega is expected to do."
"What is it about Aria that brings out such a reaction in you? I have never seen you stand up for any woman like you stood up for her."
"Are you sure, Victoria?" The caballero pressed a light kiss to the Victoria's cheek, turned and walked toward the exit to the tavern leaving a stunned Victoria behind. I wonder what he meant by that...