What sometimes happens with stories is that you create a character for a specific situation and it takes on a life of its own. That's what happened with Marina, who was going to have a brief appearance and in the end she stays for the rest of the story. I would like to know what you think of her.

Chapter 13. Courtship.

The alcalde was in his bedroom in front of the mirror, choosing a handkerchief. Several of them lay on the bed, discarded.

"Sergeant Mendoza." he shouted.

The sergeant hurried into the room.

"Have the soldiers brought the flowers I asked for?" he asked without looking away from the mirror.

"No, mi alcalde. We are in the middle of summer and there are no flowers, they are all dried up."

"Useless." he muttered.

At last he decided on a handkerchief and knotted it carefully. Then he looked at himself in the mirror very closely, checking that his beard was neatly trimmed.

"I'm going to the tavern. See to the garnish." he said as he advanced towards the door.

Somewhat nervously he readjusted his kerchief and walked toward the tavern. The count and his family had just finished their breakfast and were gathered around one table, while his servants were at the next. De Soto saw that señorita Escalante was holding the baby in her arms, although he could not think why, for the child had a nursemaid. The alcalde frowned wondering if the tavern keeper would be a good influence on his son.

The count noticed he had arrived and greeted him with a small nod. De Soto approached.

"Good afternoon gentlemen, Count, Marina."

The count spoke to him with a serious expression. "Señor de Soto, you must address my sister with due respect."

"Excuse me, señorita Ortiz de Casqueta. I am glad to see you again."

She looked at him with distrust. "Now you remember me?"

"Of course I do, how could I forget so much beauty." he said with his best smile. She looked away with a sulky expression.

"If we could talk alone I can explain my behavior to you. I know it's unforgivable, but a generous soul like you might be able to give me a chance to make amends."

Victoria was looking at him with a strange expression. She didn't know if what she was seeing was amusing, outrageous or just plain pathetic.

The lady turned to her brother. "May I speak with him?"

The count's expression softened. "If that's what you want you can go to that table further away and listen to what he says."

She nodded. "All right." She rose from the table and hesitated whether to take de Soto's proffered arm. Finally she did, though she kept her distance.

De Soto walked over to the table, pushed the chair aside for her to sit in, and helped her settle in. Then he sat down across from her.

De Soto looked her in the eye trying to appear sincere. "I know I made a big mistake by not coming back to keep my word, but I thought I was finally going to get a promotion and go back to Madrid as I promised you, when an evil criminal left me in the lurch and prevented me from getting what I needed. I didn't feel strong enough to return to your side after that failure. I had no future to offer you."

"That doesn't explain why you gave me a false name, and why you pretended yesterday that you didn't know me."

"It's true that I didn't dare give you my real name. I thought that the alcalde of a humble village was not worthy to court so beautiful and exalted a lady." she seemed to soften a little at the words he was using. "And yesterday in church, when I saw you again I felt so sorry for what I had done, so overwhelmed by the tremendous responsibility of having given you a child, that I thought that the baby and you would be better off without me, that you could find a good man to be the father of your child."

Her expression quickly changed from childish anger to deep sadness as she believed what he said, "No, that would never" She replied emphatically. "Who could be a better father to my son than...well, my son's father?" she blinked, a little confused.

The alcalde began to feel more confident. "Knowing that you have enough money to lead the life you deserve made me glad, not for myself, but because my failure would no longer matter so much. If you grant me your hand I will take care of you. I will not disappoint you again."

"How can I be sure of that, you won't be a seducer and look for other women when you get tired of me?" she asked pouting like a capricious child.

De Soto knew what he had to say. He looked at her trying to be convincing. "I won't lie to you, there have been other women, but my feelings for them were only a mirage, a pale reflection of what I felt by your side. If I have you I won't look at others. Let me prove it to you."

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye and tried to conceal it, but it was clear that his words had moved her.

Victoria looked at them with a suspicious expression, but she couldn't hear what they were saying and didn't give her opinion because no one had asked for it. The bad mood lasted her until Diego came through the door.

"Good morning."

"Good morning Diego." she replied with a smile.

Seeing the couple at the back table piqued his curiosity. "What is the alcalde up to?" asked Diego quietly enough so that no one else could hear.

"He has learned that Marina is from a good family and has a dowry and is now courting her."

"A little late for that. Don´t you think?" said Diego looking down at the baby Victoria was holding. She shrugged a little.

"From the looks of it she has more suitors, despite her slip. I'd say money attracts a lot of suitors." she informed him. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No thanks, I just had breakfast, I was just stopping by to wish you a good day. I'll come by later for lunch."

"All right, see you later."

The alcalde also got up from his chair and escorted the lady back to her family. He kissed her hand and bid them farewell to return to his office.

Victoria walked over to the baby's wet nurse and handed the baby back to her, but not before giving him a kiss on the forehead. "That's a beautiful baby." she said unable to help but smile and make that slightly goofy face most people get in front of babies.

"Thank you." the mother replied quietly, still thoughtful because of the conversation she had just had. When he looked at her she believed whatever he told her, but later, when she thought about it she wasn't so convinced anymore. She had to make the most important decision of her life and she didn't know what to do.