Part Fifteen: The Best Things in Life are Free
She mounted Bailarin and rode home at a brisk pace, but only arrived near noon.
Once there, she changed quickly to a short sleeved, light blue gown and went down to eat. Her father was at the table, waiting for her. "I was just about to start when you came in, so I decided to wait for you."
He spoke the blessing swiftly, and Magdalena bowed her head. "Did you and Diego have a nice ride?" He asked a bit later. "You were gone all morning."
"We rode to the mission at San Gabriel, but then Diego remembered some business he had and left me there. It was quite sudden, but he assured me, his business was very important."
Francisco was as confused as Magdalena had been at this, but continued. "All right. Uh, what did you speak about with him?"
"Many things, father. I couldn't relate them. They run together." She was lying. She could vividly remember Diego's words.
"Anything of importance?" Francisco inquired lazily. "Were there any other promises made?"
She laughed, seeing his objective. "No, father, not yet."
He looked a bit disappointed. "What is he waiting for? Men have called to see you almost every day since you have returned."
"Si, and I dismissed them all as soon as they said their interest was romantic. They know my position."
"Maybe, but one doesn't want to accept it."
"Who?"
"Juan Fernando de la Cruz. He called for you today and waited awhile also. He said he had something of great importance to tell you, or I would not have let him stay so long."
"I hope it is not a proposal. I mean no offense to him, but to my knowledge, nothing he has ever said was important," Magdalena said dryly.
Her father laughed, a loud, boisterous sound that Magdalena rejoiced in. "Si, he has that manner to him." Her father was still chuckling as he left.
Magdalena finished and went outside to the patio, and what she did next surprised her, for she, rather automatically, went upstairs to get some mending. She laughed aloud when she realized how her time as a maid had shaped her, for she no longer even felt reluctance. Still chuckling, she made her way down to the patio and sat in a sunny spot, a smile remaining on her face as she sewed. A maid brought out Madeira, which Magdalena accepted.
A few minutes later, the gate creaked open, and in strode Juan Fernando. She stood when she saw him. "Don Juan Fernando. What brings you here? I believe I told you—"
"I need to tell you something," he said, his tone urgent, and his gaze, for once, not landing on her chest.
"Of course." She sat down, indicating that he should do the same.
He did so, fidgeting nervously. "I am Constancia's contact in Los Angeles," he blurted.
Magdalena choked on the sip of wine she had just taken. "Do you mean that?" She asked him.
"What does the name Miranda Calienta mean to you?" He asked quickly, and she nodded, paling. "I only play at being a cad. It is an excellent cover. People think me only interested in drink and…ladies. I must confess, I was only partially acting at your fiestas, both of them. I apologize for my behavior."
Magdalena was finding it hard to follow him. This…baboso was Constancia's contact?
"Listen, how is Constancia? I have contacted her many times and she has not responded."
"I believe she is worried, because her father has not joined her yet." Magdalena told him.
Juan Fernando shook his head. "Oh, she is worried, but that is not why."
Her hand clenched the wine glass. "Then what is?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Alenez." Was the solitary word that he spoke, one of the only words that could have struck fear into her heart again.
"But—Galindo said he was dead!"
"Galindo thought he was. Everyone did. Alenez and Varga planned it that way. He was high in the government, and I suppose it must have been easy to produce the necessary evidence to say he was dead. Now Alenez seems to be getting his revenge on all the people he considers most responsible for the Eagle's downfall."
"Including?" Magdalena asked, fearing what the answer would be.
"You. The Viceroy, but he is safe. Constancia. She isn't. And there is one more." He paused.
"Who?" Magdalena demanded.
"The one he considers the most responsible—Senor Zorro." With those words, Juan Fernando stood. "I must go now. I only wished to tell you these things. You can make of them what you will, but I am going to Monterey."
"But why?" Magdalena asked, surprised.
"Constancia." Juan Fernando's smile was bittersweet as he kissed Magdalena on the hand in farewell. "Until we meet again, hopefully in better times."
Magdalena sat there for awhile, considering his words and the meaning in them.
What was Diego doing in the pueblo? What was so urgent? Did he already know about Alenez? And what would Alenez do to her? And what could he do to Zorro?
Diego never came back that day. Magdalena was on edge the rest of the afternoon, staring at the gate, waiting for his entrance there. Dusk came.
Magdalena hurried to dress for dinner, joining her father hastily. "You are late," he said, but his voice was genial. "What about Diego? Did he ever come to tell you what was so urgent?"
"No," she said, her tone easy. "I suppose that means it really was urgent, if he is still occupied with it."
"Ah," her father nodded in agreement, and the rest of the meal was passed in silence.
Magdalena could barely sleep that night, half expecting Zorro to appear on her windowsill, and disappointment was keen when the dawn came and he hadn't.
She dressed slowly in a chocolate brown dress, with a gold colored shawl, and went downstairs for breakfast.
She was on edge all the morning, debating whether to tell her father about Alenez, and in the afternoon she decided to ride over to the de la Vega hacienda and see Diego. She stopped to fetch Inez along the way—she was going in the carriage—and they had a leisurely drive over, only a bit reminiscent of their other ride in this carriage going to the same destination.
Inez was glowing and happy. She didn't wear her hair as tightly as she used to, and no longer wore hideous hats. Now they waited on the patio, and Alejandro came to greet them. "Magdalena, Dona Inez. How are you both?"
"Very well indeed. It is such a beautiful day, isn't it, Don Alejandro?"
"Indeed." His answer was short.
"Buenos dias, Don Alejandro. Is Diego here?" Magdalena asked him, trying to not let her anxiety show in her question.
"No, he isn't. He spent the night at the inn,' Alejandro told her, his brow crinkling in displeasure.
"Ah," Inez said, exchanging glances with Magdalena. "Do you expect him back?"
"No. He spoke of business. You may feel free to seek him there," he told them. Magdalena stood a little too quickly, and he seemed to be hiding a smile at her actions. A blush was on her cheeks as they said their farewells to him and started off for Los Angeles.
The servant boy, Guillermo, halted in front of the cuartel and Inez sent the lancer on duty to fetch Sergeant Garcia, who was, it seemed, still the Acting Commandante. He came much quicker than the first time they had stopped here to ask him to join them, and Diego had had to cajole him into it.
"Buenos dias, Inez, Senorita," he said, coming straight to the carriage and kissing Inez's hand eagerly. She blushed becomingly, letting her hand linger in his.
"Buenos dias, Commandante," Inez said eagerly, smiling widely.
"Have you seen Don Diego?" Magdalena interrupted their interlude too soon, and both looked disappointed.
"Si, he was here earlier," Garcia said, his tone suggesting no questions about his business there would be answered.
"Where did he go? And where is he now? That is, if you know," Magdalena inquired.
Garcia shook his head. "He mentioned going back to the tavern—he invited me to join him there later—but when I went, he wasn't there, so I left."
"Did you ask Senor Gonzales if he knew where Don Diego had gone?" Inez now asked, remembering their purpose for speaking to Garcia.
"I did. But Tio said Diego mentioned nothing when he left, early this morning, except to keep the room for him, as he would be back tonight."
Garcia saw Magdalena's disappointment at this news. "Here, let me join you. There are a few places we can look for him that he is likely to be." Inez scrambled over and Garcia climbed in, tipping the carriage again, but not quite as much as the last time they were joined by him; besides, this time they expected it, and clung to the sides of the carriage so as to not tip with it.
Guillermo climbed back in. "Where to, patron?"
Magdalena looked to Garcia for the answer. "San Guadalupe Trail," he told her. "He rides there often."
The ride there Inez and Garcia kept up a steady conversation, but it didn't carry the irritation it had last time. Magdalena was happy to see her aunt looking so pretty, and speaking so warmly with Garcia, who could hardly keep his eyes from going to her, and his voice and manners were less coarse.
Magdalena turned back to watch the road. It all happened so quickly—one moment they were all laughing with Garcia, the next there was a flash of silver and a burning pain in her left shoulder.
There was shouting, and pain. Magdalena looked down to see a knife thrust through her skin, and blood seeping from the wound. She could hear Inez's anxious voice, and then the pain escalated when they took her from the carriage and leaned her against the wheel. Garcia removed the knife with tender care, and more blood came rushing out. Inez gave him cloth to bind it.
Time passed. Guillermo was sent with one horse to fetch soldiers and the doctor. They waited there, Magdalena on the ground, Inez crouching beside her, and Garcia stood on guard, his hand on his sword. There were no more attacks, no one was seen in the trees. Magdalena wasn't sure whether she was awake or not.
Soldiers came, with Doctor Avila. Magdalena's wound was to be properly examined and treated, and he gave her 'something for the pain'. She was out in seconds, both the pain and the drug overwhelming her.
She woke slowly, in stages, first realizing she was conscious, then opening her eyes, and gradually the feeling came back into her body. There was pain, oh, there was pain, but she could bear it. She eventually realized she wasn't alone, and turned her head. Inez and her father were there, anxiety plain on their faces. Francisco sighed in relief and stepped forward to press a kiss to her forehead. "I am glad you are awake, Magdalena," his voice was husky, and tears brimmed in his eyes.
Inez clasped her hand tightly, not saying anything.
"What exactly happened?" Magdalena asked, and her words were slurred, just a bit.
"Banditos. Or, bandito, I don't know," Inez said. "He got away. We did see him, for a second, and then he was gone."
They fell silent again, and Inez poured a glass of water, and helped Magdalena drink it. She settled back onto the pillow, struggling to keep her eyes open. Her father smiled. "You go ahead and sleep." So she did.
She awoke to the sound of shouting, and then Diego was bursting through the door and running to her side.
"Magdalena!" He said when he saw her, dropping to his knees beside the bed and, taking her hand, kissed the center of her palm. That kiss made being stabbed almost worth it. Magdalena warmed considerably and wakened more. But Inez and her father had come in after Diego, looking both amused and frustrated that he had gotten past them.
Diego's eyes were worried, but he could not speak with them in the room. He finally leaned close and whispered, "I'll come again, mi Corazon, and speak longer." Then he kissed her forehead and left again, bowing in apology to Francisco.
"Oh, the nerve of him!" Inez said, but her eyes twinkled, and Magdalena thought she looked rather envious.
The next day, Magdalena was allowed to get up and go down stairs. She sat on the patio, dressed for both the weather, and her wound, in an off-the-shoulder blouse with a shawl draped over her left shoulder to cover the bandage. Now she basked in the warm sunlight, and Diego soon entered, bearing a guitar. He was looking very handsome, in a peach colored suit. Magdalena felt a sudden pang at the thought of clothes—her brown dress was being washed, Inez had said, but where was her gold shawl? She remembered feeling it being taken off, but where had she been then?
Diego sat down across the table from her. "You remember the song I promised for you?"
She thought a moment. "Oh! You thought of words for my song?"
"Si. Now I shall play it for you," he said, positioning the guitar and starting to play.
The moon of Morelia shines brightly
But not half so bright as her eyes
The bloom on the rose withers nightly
But her beauty never dies
Her hair is the wing of the raven
Her cheeks hold the blush of the dawn
I pray every evening to heaven
That morning won't find her gone
Mi Corazon, she is my heart
I treasure each touch of her glove
She is fire, she is wine, she is music
Mi Corazon my love
Magdalena closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair, concentrating on the music of Diego's voice. His lyrics fit very well, and a smile came to her lips. Her shoulder was throbbing, a dull, constant pain, but it was easily ignored when listening to such a voice. What did such little things matter when she had Diego?
But this was the second time she had been attacked while riding in a carriage. The first time, her father had been the victim, unintended, and now she was. Alenez must be getting very lax, and he and Galindo must have learned their craft from the same source, she thought grimly, for neither of us has died.
Diego's song ended, and her eyes flew open. "That was lovely, gracias, Diego."
He smiled, placing the guitar on the floor next to his chair. Then his smile faded, when his gaze was drawn to her shawl covered bandage. "This is the second time," he said, his voice low. "But I suppose you don't know who attacked you this time or on whose orders."
"I can guess," Magdalena said, and Diego straightened abruptly.
"Who?" His dark eyes were flashing, and his voice sharp.
"Don Javier Alenez."
"Isn't he dead? There was a minor scandal about it."
"He was one of the Eagle's right hand men."
"Really…" He drew the word out, much the same way Constancia had upon hearing that Alejandro was in Monterey.
"He faked his death, with the Eagle's help."
Diego looked very surprised. "Alenez is alive?"
"And avenging the Eagle." She told him what Juan Fernando had related.
Diego looked at her intently throughout, then slowly relaxed back in his chair when she was finished, deep in thought.
"Is this related to your business with Padre Felipe and Sergeant Garcia?" She asked him, and he seemed surprised she was still there.
"No, no, uh…I was just taking Padre Felipe some books."
"You didn't have any books with you," she reminded, feeling stung that he would lie to her.
Diego looked chastened. "I just told you everything," Magdalena said, trying to push herself to standing, but her shoulder screamed in pain and she fell back with a gasp. Diego jumped over to her, his hands going to her arms.
"Are you all right?" His voice was anxious.
"No! Just help me stand," she found herself fighting back tears, both from the pain and Diego's reticence.
He helped her up, and she jerked away from him instinctively. "Not this again," Diego murmured, pulling her back to him. "Where are you planning to go?"
"Upstairs, to my room," she told him, and he scooped her up. "My father won't like it, you being alone with me in my room."
Diego paused on the first step. "Is Inez here?"
"Si. She has been staying with us since I got injured."
Diego called for her, and her aunt came quickly, looking only mildly surprised to see them thusly. "What do you want?"
"Will you accompany us upstairs? Magdalena needs to rest." Diego asked her.
"Oh, of course," Inez hurried to walk in front of them, leading the way to Magdalena's room. Magdalena leaned her head against Diego's chest, feeling completely exhausted.
He laid her gently on the bed, his hands lingering just a moment before he straightened. "I should be going," he said, and his voice sounded strained. Inez shooed him out, and turned back to face Magdalena, walking over to fluff the pillows beneath her, and position her shoulder better. "You sleep, dear. Feel better."
Inez then hurried out, carefully closing the door behind her. Magdalena rested awhile, listening to the sounds coming through the wall. But when the sounds softened, she carefully, slowly, got off the bed and walked over to the mirror. Her clothes were fine, for Inez had dressed her simply, in a dark skirt and white, ruffled blouse. She looked a bit like a waitress, she realized, it was just the dove gray shawl over the ensemble that noted her position. She now took the shawl off, and tossed it onto the bed. She closed her eyes a moment, trying to block out the pain, and couldn't. She exhaled slowly, and walking to the bed again, sat down rather heavily. Maybe she wouldn't do anything…but only because she couldn't.
Morning didn't come soon enough. Dinner was brought to her in bed, and then Magdalena was faced with the prospect of sleeping. She spent a restless night, for her shoulder was throbbing too much to let her sleep, and whenever she did start to drift off, she would shift slightly and her shoulder would throb anew and she'd waken again with a jolt. She wished for whatever Doctor Avila had given her the first time, but when she had inquired for it, his response had been a flat refusal, his excuse being that there were not great quantities, and he didn't wish to even chance her becoming addicted.
Inez came to help her dress, and to change the bandage, for Monique was not the most gentle, or patient, of women. Magdalena was helped into another waitress-esque outfit, and hurried downstairs to breakfast.
It was then they were told the news. Corporal Reyes came walking in, bringing both it and a request. "There was an attack on the cuartel last night," he began, twisting his hat in his hands. "The attackers were killed. No one knows them, and Sergeant Garcia is sending me to fetch everyone to ask them to come and see if they can identify the bodies."
Francisco looked startled, but acquiesced. Soon they were on their way to the pueblo, with Inez, who was fretting about the bodies and about seeing Garcia in an official capacity, and because she didn't approve of Magdalena going along. "You are not well!" She insisted, and Francisco had been inclined to agree, but Magdalena had insisted, and had been, rather grudgingly, allowed.
They got in sight of the cuartel. There was a short line leading into it. The de la Vegas were arriving just as they were. Magdalena noticed that Diego looked very tired, with dark circles underneath his eyes. She wondered if Zorro had had anything to do with last night. At any rate, Alejandro seemed irritated, and Diego was too tired to speak, so they waited in silence, words even failing Inez.
The line moved quickly, and the two groups were let in together. Garcia waited, looked tired and worried. "Buenos dias, Don Alejandro, Don Francisco, Don Diego, Senorita, and Dona Inez." His gaze lingered on Inez, and she blushed and turned away. "Reveal the bodies," he ordered.
Two grim faced soldiers drew back the sheets covering the bodies. Magdalena felt her heart jump, and beside her, Diego suddenly placed a hand on her left shoulder, over her bandage.
It was Alenez.
A/N: So it is only near the end that I add real intrigue to the story, which disappears as soon as it appears. Hmm. Well, I just guess this proves I can't write stories for the Adventure or Suspense categories. (And I really can't) Since this was under Romance/Drama, though, I won't feel too bad because of that.
And on Mi Corazon, I suppose I was both delighted and appalled to realize that the song he sings to Leonar has the tune that Magdalena plays on the piano. I guess Diego did write words for it, but why he sang it to Leonar...oh well. I heard some vague rumor that it was actually meant to go into Sweet Face of Danger but they couldn't fit it in. I don't know how true that is, but it certainly makes you wonder where it would've gone in the episode.
Mbg: Your comments always make my day! Thank you for letting me know how much it touched you.