Chapter 22
Victoria's Tavern...
"There you are, Diego. Good morning, son...Rosalinda. A pleasure as always. I thought that Ramon would be joining you."
"He will be here in a few minutes. This is not our usual table, Victoria."
"I am expecting a special guest," she smiled. Right on schedule..."Don Alejandro, you remember Don Pablo Ortiz. Wasn't he a classmate of yours, Diego?"
The handsome caballero was not fond of Don Pablo, a known womanizer."Of course..Don Pablo, it has been a long time... May I present Senorita Rosalinda Espinoza?"
"Charmed, Senorita. Diego. Are you still publishing that little newspaper The Guardian?"
"It is doing quite well, gracias. How is your father and your brother Armando?"
"Father is well. Armando is married with six children. I thought that you would have married and settled down by now, amigo."
"I am still looking for the right woman," he glanced at Victoria.
"I don't know how someone hasn't married this lovely lady," Ortiz smiled, "Shall we, my dear? Victoria invited me for breakfast, if you will excuse us..."
"I will send Pilar to take your orders." Victoria linked her arm through his as they went to enjoy a leisurely breakfast...
Diego and Ramon frowned at the laughter coming from the adjacent table. Victoria and her 'date' had been joined by Aria and Don Pablo's friend Manuel. Couldn't she have chosen someone more suitable? I suppose there is no accounting for taste...The man is an insufferable bore obsessed with his own looks and wealth...What I wouldn't do to take him down a peg or two... I am being paranoid...Victoria loves me..I know she does. She is using him to make me jealous ...I hate to admit that it is working.
The De la Vega hacienda...
"I am sorry to disturb you, Don Diego but Senora Espinoza is here to see you."
"Send her in, Carmen, por favor. I will be there momentarily."
"Good afternoon, Diego." My daughter would be a far more suitable wife than that Escalante woman...
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Senora?"
"I would like to invite you and your father to a dinner party at my home. You are keeping company with my Rosalinda and it is only natural. Ramon is keeping company with Maria, my daughter's dearest friend, I would like for him to attend as well."
"We would be delighted."
"We will expect you around seven."
"Gracias, Senora." What have Ramon and I gotten ourselves into?
The Espinoza hacienda...
"Everything seems to be going well, Alejandro," Senora Espinoza stated, "our children are getting along well and my guests are enjoying themselves. It is going to be a wonderful evening."
"It is, if I do say so myself, Magdalena."
"Excuse me, Alejandro. I have some guests to greet." Don Pablo and Don Manuel arrived accompanied by Aria and Victoria who looked exquisite in red and midnight blue, respectively. All eyes focused on the ladies as they entered the room. Their escorts had taken being fashionably late to a new extreme.
"Good evening, Senora Espinoza. Please forgive us. We were unexpectedly detained."
"You are forgiven, Don Pablo. Welcome to my home."
"May I present Senorita Escalante and Senorita Franco?"
"Ladies, you are welcome, too. I hope that you will enjoy yourselves."
I suppose she can afford to be charitable...Since her daughter has her sights on my Diego, Victoria thought.
ZZZ
"Would you like some refreshments? You must be positively parched," Ortiz linked Victoria's arm in his much to Diego's displeasure.
"Gracias, Pablo."
"I will be right back in a few moments, my dear."
"How are you enjoying your evening with Don Pablo, Senorita Escalante," Diego said as he walked up to Victoria.
"Such a charming, cultured and well-mannered gentleman, the perfect escort."
"He is a notorious can do better than Pablo Ortiz…"
"I am surprised that Rosalinda is not with you. She spends so much time clinging to your arm. Why should you object to my seeing him? Are you a little jealous, perhaps?"
"Me...jealous of that peacock. Jealousy is your problem not mine, Senorita Escalante."
"I was just looking for you, Diego," Rosalinda linked her arm through Diego's, "Mama wants to introduce you to some of her friends. Senorita Escalante, if you will excuse us."
ZZZ
Rosalinda held Diego's arm possessively. She knew that the tall caballero had eyes for Victoria Escalante but he was a charming escort and wonderful friend. Love was not a prerequisite in their social circles where people often married for money and social status so a match between the two of them would not be unheard of...
"It is a wonderful party, Rosalinda, you are the perfect hostess."
"Gracias. Your mind seems to be somewhere else, Diego. I saw you talking to Victoria tonight. You seemed quite involved."
"Don Pablo is not exactly one of my favorite people."
"He is socially acceptable despite the rumors surrounding him. She is free to choose whoever she likes."
"I would hate to see Victoria hurt by the likes of him. She will always be important to me...'
"It is written all over your face, you cannot deny it. You are attractive and intelligent man but social status is an empty substitute for a loveless marriage…My parents came to love and respect each other in time but I want more than that. I want to be loved."
"I cannot agree more," Diego gently placed his hand over hers, "I wish that I had met you before..."
"Before you fell in love with Victoria," Rosalinda smiled as Diego pressed a gentle kiss to her hand oblivious to the glare directed at her by one Victoria Escalante.