Thank you all for the lovely response to this story. I can't say that this will be an easy journey for Diego, but I feel like it will all pay off in the end. I'm going to try to update at least once a week-mostly sundays-but I'll try to throw in one or two extra updates as often as I can.
Thanks again and enjoy the ride.
Linny
Chapter Two
With his lunch eaten and the room quickly filling up, Diego and Bernardo exited the tavern. The carriage from Santa Barbara was being moved into the stable house so the horses could be changed and so that the driver could rest. The luggage had been unloaded while two Lancers inspected each set.
Don Maximo and the Señora Ortega had already arranged for a wagon, had it packed up, and were on their way. Diego doubted that they would stay in the pueblo for the festivities as they had to make certain their servants had their hacienda in proper order for their return.
The merchant only carried one case. After a quick inspection of his papers and the contents of his trunk, he disappeared into the tavern to set up a room for himself. Or, perhaps to grift the poor people of Los Angeles out of their hard-earned money by taking advantage of their jovial moods and willingness to spread the wealth.
Finally, only one passenger was left. While waiting for Bernardo to join him, Diego watched as Garcia sucked in his gut as much as he was able to, standing up a bit straighter as he approached the señorita and her servant girl who was standing beside her.
The large man smoothed his large hands down the jacket of his uniform, though Diego knew it would do little to erase the dust or wrinkles that had collected throughout the morning.
"Buenos días, señorita," he greeted as he reverently removed his hat and bowed his head slightly in salutation. "Welcome to Los Angeles."
A soft, tired smile formed on the lips of the young woman as she turned her attention away from the pile of luggage at her feet to focus on him. She bowed her head in greeting as well. "Good day... erm... Sergeant, isn't it?" she asked while motioning to the stripes on his uniform.
"Oh, please forgive me, señorita," he hastened to say as he hurried to put his hat back in place while he stood up straight and saluted. "I am Sergeant Demetrio Lopez Garcia, Acting Comandante of the Pueblo de Los Angeles, at your service."
"It's a pleasure, Sergeant," she told him, her smile fading slightly, but Diego could tell it was from fatigue. Her voice carried a strange accent. She was clearly not a native to Spain or California, so her travel must have been a long and arduous one.
She was quite tall for a woman; the top of her head almost reached the same height as Garcia's with her heeled boots. Her skin was pale and smooth, though covered in a fine coating of dirt from traveling. She obviously didn't see much of the sun. She would find a great deal of that in Southern California.
Bernardo had finally joined him, so Diego had begun walking to where they had their horses hitched, but he didn't move very fast because he found this woman quite curious. Yes, she had a servant with her, but other than that, she seemed to be traveling alone. Odd.
"Forgive me again, señorita, but as acting Comandante, I must question all visitors and have your baggage inspected."
"Of course." Her smile remained, but the huff of exasperation she expelled as she said those words told Diego all he needed to know that she was none too pleased about having her baggage searched. Still, she turned toward her maid and made a few short gestures toward the baggage, never speaking a word, before focusing on the soldier again. Her exhaustion was now clearly showing on her features. "What is it you need to know?"
Garcia was puzzled by what he had just witnessed and struggled to form his first question. "Well, your name..."
She kept her kind demeanor toward the Sergeant as the two lower-ranking soldiers tousled her belongings. "My name is Olivia Walker and this is my maid, Emily." She motioned to the woman at her side.
Her maid was similar age and height to the woman, but where her mistress was dark in color, the maid was light. Her blonde hair was tied back in a long braid with a ribbon that matched her blue eyes; eyes that were so focused on the conversation happening around her and not on the bumbling soldiers rifling through their things. Those cool depths didn't move much; only to bounce between her mistress and the Sergeant.
Diego found that very curious, but Garcia seemed unnerved by it. The larger man was used to servants who were supposed to rarely be seen and seldom heard, but this one stood out, almost enraptured by the conversation.
Señorita Walker made another gesture with her hands and her maid presented her with a small, leather billfold. "This should have everything you need, Sergeant." She handed it over to him.
He opened it to find papers inside. Quickly reading them over, his eyes widened in surprise. "You are Americanas?"
American? Diego thought to himself. What were two foreign women doing traveling halfway around the world to come to California?
"Yes." She nodded her confirmation when he handed back the billfold, clearly finding that everything was in order.
"May I ask what your business is in California?"
"Horses," was her simple response as she passed the billfold back to her maid and then made a few more hand gestures toward her. The blonde—Emily, Diego recalled—merely nodded and began to silently instruct the lancers to carry their baggage toward the tavern.
Still confused by the silent conversation that had just occurred, Garcia stumbled yet again over his next question. "Erm... horses, señorita?"
"Yes. My family raises horses back home in Virginia and we are looking to improve our stock. It has been rumored that California has some of the finest horses on the continent. So, I've come to acquire some."
"Alone, señorita? Erm... I mean, there is no one else traveling with you?" It wasn't exactly proper for a young woman of such breeding to travel alone and by the quality of her luggage, it was clear that she was no peón. Being a foreigner in a strange country also meant that it was even more dangerous for her to be taken advantage of.
Diego didn't know why, but he wanted to personally make certain that that didn't happen.
"No. It's just the two of us," it was the only answer she would give, it seemed. It wasn't a cold statement exactly, but it was clear that she would say little else on the subject.
"Please, I did not mean to offend," Garcia was quick to defend. "It's just that it is not really common for a lady of such... finery to be traveling alone."
"But, I'm not alone. I have Emily with me." She said it as if it was the most natural thing in the world, yet Diego didn't believe she was so naive.
"Yes, well... That was not exactly what I meant," the larger man mumbled under his breath.
"Have no fear, Sergeant. I am more than capable of taking care of myself," she told him, but her words seemed to do little to convince him.
"I hope you are right," he mumbled again in disbelief.
Diego's faetón was in sight. They would have to pass by the Sergeant to get to it. Pulling his sombrero onto his head to shield his eyes from the sun, he glanced toward her. She glanced toward him momentarily but didn't pay him any mind as her eyes shot toward the inn.
Her eyes were dark, but he wasn't close enough to determine the color. They were also filled with the hint of impatience as she turned her gaze back to the Sergeant.
"Not that I'm not thoroughly enjoying this little interrogation, Sergeant. Really, I am. But, it has been quite a long journey and I am in need of a rest. Is there anything else you need to ask me?"
Diego could see the exhaustion of a long trip marring her youthful appearance. She looked to be around the same age as him; perhaps a year or two younger. He also noted that she wore no ring on her finger. So, she was also unmarried. Interesting.
"Just... one more at this time, Señorita Walker. Please?" Garcia pleaded in the familiar manner he used when he knew others were becoming frustrated with him and he didn't want that to happen.
She nodded in acquiescence, shame filling her features as the way she must have sounded. "Of course," she replied, more gently.
"How long will your business keep you in Los Angeles?"
Slim shoulders lifted in a tired shrug. "I'm not quite certain. It's going to take some time to find the right candidates. A month... perhaps two or more."
"Gracias," he said, graciously. "Of course, you will need to fill out an official report since the two of you are foreigners, but that can wait until after you two ladies are settled. And by then, the new Comandante will have arrived. He will be the one to take the report."
Her interest seemed to kindle to life at that information. Her weariness melted slightly as her eyes darted around at all of the people in the plaza. "So, then, that must be the reason for all of this excitement and fanfare? I was beginning to think the stories of a quiet Los Angeles were untrue."
"Oh, no, señorita. Our pueblo is usually much calmer than this. Everyone is just so excited about the arrival of the new Comandante." He beamed with his own excitement.
"I think I understand."
The woman's servant had returned, her hands flying into a flurry of movement that Garcia couldn't seem to follow. Diego immediately recognized it for what it was, yet he didn't understand it either. Sign language.
The señorita responded in complete silence, mimicking the motions of her maid.
The woman with the fair hair had said something about their luggage, by the way she was motioning toward her, but Diego didn't understand the response her mistress gave. The way Bernardo communicated was very different than the way the two women did. The way they signed seemed more fluid as if they were having a complete conversation without ever saying a word. Interesting. He'd heard about it but had never seen it.
"Please, señorita... what is this?" The Sergeant tried to mimic the way their hands moved but failed miserably. He looked so confused.
"Isn't it obvious Sergeant?" Diego questioned, though he didn't know why, as he and Bernardo passed by.
His voice attracted the attention of both the soldier and the new arrival with dark hair. She seemed startled by his presence as if noticing him for the first time. He noticed the hint of discomfort cross over her features when she realized that he was the one speaking. Was that embarrassment he saw? Or could it be something else? He couldn't tell.
"It is, Don Diego?" Garcia asked, his confusion growing now.
"Sí, the girl must be deaf. Am I correct, señorita?"
She seemed impressed by his observations and nodded. "How astute of you to realize. And your name is, señor?"
Ashamed that he had completely forgotten his manners, he cleared his throat and bowed in apology. "Forgive me." He removed his sombrero and tucked it against his chest to keep it out of the way. "My name is Diego de la Vega and this is my manservant, Bernardo. He also can neither speak nor hear." He motioned toward the man in question.
She peered around Diego to catch a glimpse of the man in question. Bernardo waved his fingers in greeting to her. She matched the motion with one of her own, a smile curling up at the corners of her mouth. "It is a pleasure," was her simple response.
"Don Diego, this is Señorita Olivia Walker and her maid, Emily," Garcia introduced both women.
"Olivia, Please," she interjected, extending her hand in welcome.
The young Don took hold of her hand and it was as if a surge of energy shot down his arm. It stunned him for only a brief second before he continued to raise her hands to his lips and gently brush them to the back of it. This gave him the chance to look into her eyes. Their blue color reminded him of looking out at the ocean.
"Welcome to Los Angeles. I hope you find it very pleasant here." He could barely recognize his own voice as he spoke. He'd only just met this woman and she was doing things to him that he didn't quite understand.
The warmth of a pink blush covered her pale cheeks that he knew was not brought on by the familiar California warmth. "So do I." Her response sounded breathy and she seemed to be completely out of sorts. She pulled her hand out of his as if she'd just touched something very hot.
Diego instantly missed the feeling of her soft skin against him, but he was pleased to know that the moment had affected her just as much as it had him.
"The señorita is looking to acquire some horses, Don Diego," Garcia's voice broke through the haze that had surrounded him. "Perhaps you could introduce her to a few of the rancheros? From what I understand, Don Tomas is looking to sell off his colt."
"Oh, I would love to see him," Olivia responded eagerly. And it was just like that that the candle of heat burning between them was suddenly snuffed out and the air of business settled in around them.
"I believe that could be arranged. I am on my way to meet my father at the moment. We have a bit of business to take care of before the Comandante is due to arrive. But, if you are not busy later, perhaps you would like to join us for supper? We can discuss it more then?"
At first, it looked like she was going to reject his offer. She seemed to be weighing her options in her mind, picking out the pros and cons of such a meeting. "I have no plans as of yet," she relented after a moment of deliberation with herself.
"Fantástico! Around seven, then? Here at the tavern?" She merely nodded in agreement. "Until we meet again, señorita," he said as he took her hand and kissed it once more. Putting his hat back on his head, he patted Garcia on the back as he passed while he and Bernardo finally made it the rest of the way toward the carriage. He could still hear her talking with the soldier.
"Is that all you need from me, Sergeant?" he heard her ask, but when he glanced back over his shoulder toward her, he found her gaze on him, almost studying him.
"Sí, for the moment, that is all."
She pulled her gaze away from Diego to glance at the luggage still sitting out in the open. "Then, would it be too much trouble if your lancers assisted us in bringing our luggage into the inn?" She motioned toward her maid to start gathering whatever she could.
"Of course, señorita. Corporal Reyes! Lugo!" he called to the other two soldiers who'd inspected their baggage.
Diego held one of the horse's reins in his hand as he continued to stare after the young woman and her maid. A smile graced his features as he watched the two women hold a complete conversation.
"She is quite lovely, is she not, Don Diego?" Garcia asked, an almost teasing smile on his face.
Diego was surprised to see his friend still standing there and felt just a bit embarrassed at being caught staring. "That she is, Sergeant. Absolutely lovely," he responded, but that was not what had garnered his apt attention. He'd only met on other Americano in his life and while this pretty señorita was a great improvement over Joe Crane—the mountain man that had wandered into California with his mule and a huge stack of furs—there was something about her that didn't quite sit right with him.
He didn't think she had come to cause trouble, but there was just something... off.
He felt Bernardo shift beside him and could only imagine what he was thinking. Sparing a glance at the fake-deaf/mute, Diego saw the smile of wry amusement that he also wore. It seems that both men felt he'd fallen quite smitten with the señorita.
"Not you, too," he mumbled as he pretended to fix the strapping on the one horse's bridle.
He wasn't smitten. He was curious.
"Don Diego!" a voice called jovially to him, prying the attention away from his thoughts.
Diego recognized the young man who'd called to him as Don Alfonso, the son of an old family friend of his father. His companion, however, he had never met before. And he didn't immediately come forward to introduce himself. That got the hairs on the back of Diego's neck to stand at attention.
"Greetings, Don Alfonso!" Garcia crowed loudly.
"Hello, Sergeant," the young man responded with a smile.
"If you excuse me, señores, I have duties to attend to. Buenos días!" The large man lumbered off in the direction of the cuartel, no doubt to fill out his report about all of the new arrivals.
"Alfonso, my friend! I had not realized that you'd returned home."
The boy was younger than Diego by five years and had been away at University in Spain. But, of course, he was no longer a boy. He'd grown into a young man; at least physically. From what he had heard, the boy still had a great deal to learn about the world.
"I arrived home a few weeks ago. I'm surprised Don Alejandro didn't tell you. He and my father had lunch together the other day."
"Yes, well, my father has been quite busy lately. Perhaps it just slipped his mind." In reality, Diego hadn't seen much of his father, lately. They had barely had the time to sit and talk due to Don Alejandro tending to the affairs at the rancho, while Diego spent a great deal of time riding throughout the hillside as Zorro to make certain the Capitan's arrival would be met with peace. "We should get together ourselves; catch up."
"Sí, we should."
"Hey, amigo!" Young Alfonso's friend called to him. He hadn't bothered to approach the duo. He'd remained behind, his face hidden under the shadow of the brim of his sombrero. What Diego could see, though, was that he was tall and thin and that his clothes were not those of a ranchero. They were also not those of a penniless pauper. He wondered who he worked for.
Alfonso turned and waved to his companion before addressing Diego again. "Forgive me, Diego. There are errands I must run."
"Of course, my friend. I hope to see you around."
"Adíos!"
Watching the two men walk away, Diego pulled himself up onto his mount and glanced at his silent companion. "Who do you suppose that man with Don Alfonso is?"
Bernardo shrugged before forcing his face into a deep scowl and shading his eyes with the flat of his hand.
"You're right. He doesn't seem a good type. Alfonso was never a good judge of character, from what I remember. His friends usually got him into trouble." Yet, back then, it was trouble as boys. Now, he was a young man and the kind of trouble he could get into now would be a great deal worse than before.
Bernardo silently asked if his master wanted him to follow.
Diego considered that option for a moment. "No. The only thing we have to go on is suspicion. The last thing we need to do right now is chase at shadows. We need to focus on Comandante Estevez's arrival, right now and make sure there won't be any trouble."