Chapter 15
The marketplace was filled with vendors and items for sale. Perhaps Diego was right. I am blowing this up all out of proportion. My brother is a grown man and perhaps, Aria really cares for him...It is really none of my business anyway...
"Well, Victoria. I see your brother has found himself a charming companion," Senora Rodriguez began.
"Whatever my brother is doing is not my business or yours."
"She is nothing more than a cheap courtesan sent to tempt the men of this pueblo," Senora Espinoza chimed in. "Staying at the de la Vegas is a great sacrifice on their part."
"The de la Vegas are gentlemen. I expect nothing less from them."
"That woman is a guest in their home. She is trouble," Senora Rodriguez continued.
"She has not caused any so far."
"Not for Don Diego but what about Ramon? A respectable man like your brother courting the likes of her..."
"My brother can take care of himself...This is none of your business."
"It is a slap in the face to other more deserving women..."
"Who are you to judge, Senora Espinoza?" Of all the nerve...
"Mark my words. Nothing good will come of this."
"I have more shopping to do!"
"We know when our good advice is not wanted," Senora Espinoza huffed, "Good day, Senorita Escalante. We have said enough."
ZZZ
Aria had never enjoyed an afternoon more despite her encounter with Senoras Hernandez and Espinoza. The fact that she was a guest of the de la Vegas kept them from ostracizing her completely. "Thank you for your sacrifice, Ramon. Shopping is not exactly one of your favorite pastimes. I would like to look at one other piece of fabric and buy a few more items."
"With your permission, I will go over to the Guardian and see how Diego is doing. Then we can go to the tavern for dinner."
"Gracias, Ramon." Aria saw Senoras Espinoza and Hernandez approach her and abruptly move out of her way, sweeping around her in a wide arc. They stared at her as they passed whispering loudly to each other...Good riddance to bad rubbish.
The Plaza...
By the time, Victoria spotted Aria she had forgotten all Diego's advice. Aria was a woman of the world who could take care of herself..."May I have a word with you?"
"What's wrong, Victoria?"
"You and Ramon are being talked about."
"Why should I care about what some gossips are saying?"
"I don't want to see Ramon hurt."
"What you are really concerned about is how my relationship will Ramon will affect your business and standing in the community..."
"Everyone knows everyone. Do you want to subject Ramon and yourself to their disapproval?"
"Not too long ago you were known as Zorro's woman."
"I am not ashamed of my feelings for Zorro but that is none of your business."
"Allowing narrow-minded people to interfere in my relationship with your brother is not what I expected from you. I thought you had more courage than that."
"No one would accuse an Escalante of being a coward."
"At least Diego is not afraid to stand up for what he believes. Now if you will excuse me, you cannot afford to be seen with a woman like me. Good day!"
"I am not finished talking to you yet, Aria," Victoria grabbed the newcomer's arm as she attempted to walk away.
"We are finished," Aria calmly reached over, took a tomato from the produce stall and mashed it onto Victoria's nose.
"How dare you!" Victoria picked up a flan and smashed against the unsuspecting senorita's chest…
Aria defended herself by hitting Victoria on the behind with the bristles of a broom causing her to stumble. The taverness wrestled the broom away from Aria and retaliated with a swat to Aria's backside. That will show her.
The Guardian...
"What all that commotion is about, Ramon?" Diego heard the loud cheers coming from the marketplace.. Both men turned toward the sound of two familiar voices raised in anger.
"Whatever it is, Diego. It must be something judging by the crowd."
"Where is Victoria? She usually brings her column by about this time."
"Aria and I were supposed to meet at the tavern after she finished her shopping."
"Did you say that Aria was shopping, Ramon? Victoria was shopping too. You don't suppose that they….." Diego heard another scream a few seconds later.
"That sounds like my sister...and Aria, too. Let's go, Diego before something worse happens…"
The Plaza...
"Aria! Stop this nonsense at once!"
"Ramon...she...she insulted me…"
"It doesn't matter...Two ladies...behaving like this in public!"
"It does not matter who started it," Diego replied as Victoria struggled against his firm hold.
"Let me go this instant, Diego!" Victoria yelled.
"Senorita Franco! Victoria! You are disturbing the peace. Please calm down or the alcalde will have you in his jail!" Mendoza stated, "Be reasonable!"
The tall caballero picked her up and headed toward the tavern. "Put me, down this instant!"
"Why? Are you afraid that of what people will say? That did not stop you from fighting with Aria! Did it? If you were not concerned about appearances then you would not have fallen in love with Zorro."
"My relationship with Zorro was my business and besides... We are in a public place. Everyone is watching us…"
"That never stopped you before!"
"You are impossible, Diego Sebastian de la Vega!"
"You, my beautiful spitfire are in need of a cooling down," Diego smirked. "In fact, I know just the place!"
"Gladly!" The caballero deposited Victoria in the nearest trough. "That should cool you down. Ramon and I will be at the hacienda. Felipe will escort the two of you back to the hacienda."