Chapter 12
Ramon slipped through the open panel of the library fireplace and stared at the fireplace behind him. I don't know how you've done it all these years, Diego. I would be a nervous wreck. I never realized what a good actor you are...Mild mannered caballero by day...Dashing, mysterious fox by night...It had been a long night but thankfully Diego was recovering nicely...He paused in the middle of the foyer as Aria came around the corner.
"Good morning, Ramon." Aria was surprised to see Ramon. "Are you just getting home, señor?"
"Why do you ask, señorita? A gentleman never reveals his whereabouts."
"I don't remember seeing you last night. I thought that perhaps you might be entertaining someone…a lady friend, perhaps."
"I was helping a friend. My errand took a little longer than I expected."
"Aren't we being mysterious? And exactly who is this friend?" I wonder where he was last night and who is this friend...
"My friend is doing well and will no longer need my assistance. Thank you for your concern."
"There was a bit of excitement last night while you were away. Zorro was injured last night and the authorities are looking for him. Since he is such a defender of the pueblo, I thought that you would be concerned...Seeing that your sister fancies herself as being in love with the man..."
"Zorro can take care of himself and the alcalde will probably never find him. He is much too clever to be captured."
Something didn't seem quite right…He seems a little too sure of himself...especially when it comes to the bandit Zorro...
"Am I interrupting something?" Victoria asked as she entered the room. Whatever they were discussing much have been important...
"Nothing to concern yourself about, little sister. We were just talking about last night..."
"We missed you at dinner last night, dear brother. The alcalde is looking for Zorro."
"Zorro can take care of himself. Desoto is much too inept to capture the man. The masked man has eluded capture for years..."
"Wherever he is...I hope that he is alright," she stated worriedly.
"Don't worry yourself, little sister. The man is too much like his namesake "The Fox" to fall into the hands of the alcalde and his soldiers," he kissed his sister's cheek reassuringly, " Now, if you will excuse me... I need a few minutes to make myself more presentable. I will see you at breakfast."
ZZZ
"Ramon, have you seen my son, this morning?"
"I was under the impression that Diego is a late riser."
"He was probably up all night reading or conducting one of his experiments, no doubt. He has a knack for avoiding danger. Sometimes, I wonder about my son. What happened to that impetuous boy that I raised?"
I would love to see the look on your face and Victoria's when the truth is finally revealed.
The de la Vega garden...
Aria enjoyed the fragrance of the beautiful roses that adorned the de la Vega garden. The ranch was an oasis from the dusty town filled with soldiers and townspeople. Sergeant Mendoza was quite friendly but DeSoto was another matter. Only Zorro stood up to him and Aria could understand the attraction that Victoria felt for him. It seemed to be a mixture of hero-worship and love. She would do better to set her sights on Diego, a handsome, eligible man who would treat a woman with respect...
"Excuse me, Senorita. Have you seen Victoria, by any chance?"
"She and Ramon went into town to check on the tavern, Don Alejandro."
"Gracias, Senorita."
"Thank you for allowing me to stay here. I know that my staying here is a subject of gossip."
"When you first arrived here, I was skeptical to say the least about your remaining in Los Angeles. Diego assured me that it was the right thing to invite you into our home where you would be assured of our protection. My son's instincts have proven to be correct."
"You should be very proud of have raised a fine man. Diego is the kind of man any woman would be privileged to spend her life with."
The old don was often disappointed by his son's lack of action but Diego was a son that he could be proud of. I need to let him know that as soon as I get the opportunity. "Thank you, Senorita. He is so like his mother...I loved her very much...He loves Victoria. It is my greatest wish for her to be my daughter-in-law."
"She is in denial about her feelings for him."
"How can you be certain of that? They have always treated each other like brother and sister. She loves Zorro."
"After their dinner, I noticed the way Diego looked at her and she seems jealous of my friendship with him," she answered coyly, "Better to love a man of flesh and blood than a legend."
"Hopefully, I will get a daughter-in-law someday and the grandchildren that I long for ."
"I hope so, too, Don Alejandro. For Diego's sake..."
"Good afternoon, Don Alejandro, Senorita Aria."
"Good afternoon, Ramon," Aria smiled.
Don Alejandro watched the couple interact with each other. Despite her past, Aria was a beautiful woman who would be a fine wife for an eligible suitor. Yes indeed. A good match. I will give the two of them a little privacy... "If you will excuse me, I have important matters that I must attend to."