Chapter 7

Diego looked up as Miguel, the foreman, approached. "Will you excuse me for a moment?" The caballero followed Miguel toward the patio doors. "I am sorry but there is an emergency down at the stables that needs taking care of. I bid the two of you goodnight," Diego bowed.

The men had practically hung on Aria's every word tonight which annoyed the innkeeper. Anyone with half an eye could see that the lovely señorita was interested in Diego or was it Ramon she had her eye on? I need to find out exactly what her intentions are…

'Ladies, it has been a long evening," Ramon escorted both women down the hallway leading to their separate rooms, "If you would excuse me, I will say goodnight. Victoria, I will see you in the morning."

Aria opened the door to her room but was detained as Victoria glanced at her meaningfully.

"I would like to have a word with you Aria. It's very important."

"Come in, Victoria. What do you want to talk about?" Whatever she had to say was important and concerned either Diego, Ramon or both. Will she ever admit to herself that she is attracted to the handsome caballero? I believe that I am about to find out...

"There is no need to play games. I want to know what your intentions are towards Diego."

"What exactly are you getting at Victoria?"

"Don't be coy with me, Aria. I know you are after Diego…"

"After Diego? You flatter me, Victoria. I am merely grateful for Diego's kindness."

"Gratitude? You want more from Diego than just gratitude."

"He is kind…attentive…thoughtful. He is a handsome man. Any woman in her right mind would be attracted to him. Why should that concern you?"

"Diego is my friend. I will not see him hurt by the likes of you."

"Everyone knows that you are Zorro's woman. You cannot have Diego and Zorro..."

"We are talking about Diego not Zorro."

"Zorro is an outlaw with a price on his head."

"Zorro and I love each other. Diego knows that I love Zorro." She had not suspected that he felt more than friendship for her until he kissed her cheek recently. She was flattered but also confused by Diego's actions...

"Being loved by a legend isn't the same as being loved by a real man of flesh and blood. Diego is aware of your infatuation with Zorro yet he continues to put his life on hold."

"I will not let you hurt the man that I...I..."

"The man who you what, Victoria," Aria interrupted. She loves him but she is afraid to admit it...

"The man who I care about."

"Deep down you refuse to acknowledge your feelings for Diego, in fact, you love him."

"It's only natural that I should have feelings for him!" The gentle kiss he had given her recently had stirred emotions long since denied. "Whatever feelings I have for Diego are none of your business."

"Diego is not promised to anyone which makes him fair game, Victoria. He should have a houseful of children running about the hacienda. He will be a marvelous husband one day."

"I am sure of that but not to you. He needs someone who will love him for himself…who will bring out the passion hidden inside him."

"He is quite capable of finding a wife without anyone's help. Someday he will show an interest in the right woman…I want to be that woman."

"Has he made an offer to you?" Victoria knew that Diego had not. Don Alejandro would not have been able to keep the fact to himself.

"No, he has not but I would not turn him down if he did."

"You will be waiting a long time."

"Diego wants a home…a family….a woman to share his life and his bed…I would be glad to give him all those things."

"I am sure that you would!"

"I know what I want and I am not afraid to go after it. I would do everything in my power to make Diego happy."

"Diego does not love you."

"You have said enough. It is time for you to leave now."

One thing was clear. Aria wanted to be the next Dona de la Vega. I will do everything in her power to prevent such an occurrence.

The Guardian...

Diego had a lot of type to set but Victoria's appearance was a welcome diversion from his work. He welcomed spending a few moments with the woman he secretly loved. The meal she had prepared was certainly delicious but her company was even more satisfying. "Thank you for bringing my lunch today."

"I am surprised that you actually made time for lunch."

"I always have time for the best food in the territory…prepared by the loveliest señorita I know…I have been busy but that is no reason to neglect someone who I care about. I get carried away with my experiments and the Guardian but I promise to do better."

"You spend so much time with Aria that I barely have time to see you. I am surprised that you aren't with her now."

"Not every minute of my day is spent with Aria… I have type to set…Articles to collect." They were civil to each other but anyone within a five hundred mile radius could feel the hostility between the two.

"You don't drop by the tavern like you used to." Aria's interest in Diego made Victoria jealous and even a bit possessive. "I would like to have some of your time."

"Why don't we have dinner tonight at the tavern? It would give us a chance to catch up."

"What about Aria?"

"Ramon and my father would be more than willing to entertain Aria."

"Then it's a date."

"I will see you around seven then."