Chapter 16 – No flogging

After Zorro left in a hurry Victoria got down the table. Still panting with desire, feeling a bit dizzy and light-headed, she repositioned her clothes and tied her hair up while her heart rate slowed down and she recovered her breath. Then she picked up the broken jar pieces scattered all over the floor, and cleaned up the mess in the kitchen. While doing so, with Zorro's taste still lingering in her mouth, she smiled thinking about the bulge she had felt pressing against her thigh, and how excited that sensation had made her feel. Even if her head agreed with his words (you should marry someone else) and she had been seriously thinking about it recently, when he was close her brain would melt like butter and any rational thought would jump out of the window. She only wanted to be loved by him, at any costs, no matter how inconvenient the situation could be. She felt helpless to resist his magnetism, an easy prey in his powerful presence, no matter what her brain would tell her she should do when he wasn't around. And it was so obvious he wanted her as much as she did, because his body didn't lie.

That fact reminded her of Diego and the tenting in his trousers. She chuckled then, thinking about the one thing those two men, who were otherwise so different in every aspect of their lives, had in common.

ZZZ

A few days went by, a time the young De la Vegas spent mainly at the hacienda resting their wounded bodies. The circus moved on and everything went back to normal in Los Angeles, including the alcalde's antics.

While his arm healed Diego would only go to the pueblo sometimes to tend for Apollo, but most of the times it was Felipe who took care of the horse. Diego relished these rare visits to the tavern as an opportunity to see Victoria. She always made an effort to help him, even if she was busy, and some nights he would change into Zorro's clothes to steal some minutes with her in the kitchen. So far, she had not realized of the connection between Diego's and Zorro's visits, and he tried not to abuse the number of clandestine encounters. After all, despite not realizing yet who was under the mask, Victoria was not dumb, and he didn't want to give her too many clues.

ZZZ

Victoria found herself looking forward to Diego's visits to Apollo as well. She tried to always be at the stable with him when he treated the horse. She loved how gentle and caring he always was with the animal, and she appreciated the easy conversation with her friend, to the point she wished the stallion could stay at the tavern for ever. Sometimes she would watch him work from the door, leaning on the frame, wondering why he never looked at her in the eye to tell her he liked her. Deep down, maybe she wanted him to make a move, to say anything, but he never did. But that was a dangerous wish, because what would she do if he ever confessed his love? She didn't have a clue, but she would have to reject him if her words to Zorro were true, because she had promised she would wait for him no matter what.

One night, when she was thinking about it while getting ready to close the tavern, she found Zorro again waiting for her in the kitchen.

"Zorro! You are here again!" she said running to his arms. "You should be careful. You are risking your life every time you come to see me."

"It is well worth the risk," he said, kissing her welcoming lips. When they broke the embrace, he produced a beautiful red rose from under the cape. "Here. Don Alejandro's roses are irresistible. And like you, well worth the risk."

"Thank you. They are so beautiful, yes," she said, laughing. "And they smell so nice. But you are going the get caught one day, and he won't like it!"

"Tough."

They both chuckled then while imagining an enraged Don Alejandro.

"I would like to stay much longer, but you are busy. And I have to go. I'll see you soon, querida," he said, leaning forward to kiss her again. Lost in that kiss, he didn't want to go; he didn't want to leave her side, ever. But he had to, so reluctantly he pulled back slowly. "Adiós, mi amor."

"Hasta luego," she said, waving her hand while he disappeared through the back door. Why couldn't he stay a bit longer? But she knew it was dangerous, and he had to go. She had agreed her life would be like this, and nothing else, for a long, long time. Only brief, clandestine encounters that ultimately would lead to frustration. And it was so difficult, so difficult…

ZZZ

Esteban expected to see Victoria at the hacienda while he recovered to receive some special nursing care for his aching leg. But such thing didn't happen. After a few days, when it became clear she would not show up, he got greatly disappointed. He thought he had finally sparked her interest, but just as before, she seemed to be ignoring him again.

However, he couldn't complain of the overall nursing care he received. Victoria ignored him, but not the other women. Every day he got visits from the young ladies he had impressed, all willing to settle into marriage, encouraged by their families. He welcomed the distraction, and he was always polite and nice to them, but, to his father disappointment, he didn't favour any of them.

"So, what do you think of Lucía? She is very nice, gorgeous, intelligent, and the daughter of a very good friend of mine," Don Alejandro said one afternoon at the library, where the men were relaxing after lunch, having a drink and a cigar. "You cannot complain: all this attention from the señoritas, all these invitations for dinners and parties… You are the man, Esteban!" he teased then, laughing, slapping his nephew's shoulder. Distracted, he didn't catch the disdainful look in his son's eyes from across the room because he hid it quickly.

"Yes, she is very nice," was the short, dull reply he got from Esteban.

"I hardly recognize you, Son. The former you would be all over her already. What's the matter with you?" Don Emilio said.

"Nothing."

"If I didn't know better, I could think maybe you are finally getting some sense into your hard skull."

"Or he is still interested in someone else," Don Alejandro said. "I think I told you she is not suitable for you, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. But I think she is."

"Who's that?" Don Emilio said, but Esteban didn't say anything, so he insisted again. "Who are you talking about?"

"Victoria Escalante," Don Alejandro said. His brother looked at him then, surprised. "Don't get me wrong here, Emilio. She is an extraordinary woman, and when I said she is not suitable, it is not because of her qualities or her lower class, but because she is Zorro's girlfriend. Nothing would get me happier than welcoming her into our family," he added while looking at Diego intently, "but that is not going to happen, unfortunately." He didn't like the way his son lowered his gaze then while fiddling with his hands. For goodness sake, Diego! Grow a backbone, will you?

"Don't worry, Uncle. I may ask her to marry me soon. Anything to keep you happy," Esteban said then, sarcastic.

"I'll repeat: she is Zorro's girlfriend. And you'll leave her well alone!"

"Why do you defend his rights? You don't even know who he is under that mask, and the man has done nothing but wasting her time for years! He doesn't deserve her."

"And you do?" Diego said.

"Yes. Maybe. At least I hope so. I'll let you know when I ask her. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll retire for a siesta."

"Don't you have any female visitors to entertain this afternoon?" Don Alejandro said, teasing him.

"I don't know, and I don't care. You deal with them as the gracious host. There is only one person I would like to see walking through that door, but she won't come. But, wake me up if she does," he said, leaving the room, still limping on his injured leg.

"All right. I'll let you know when Lucía is here!" Don Alejandro said as he left, laughing.

"What am I going to do with him?" Don Emilio said, sulking. "Alejandro, I should return to Madrid soon. Elena has been on her own for too long. Do you think Esteban would be alright if he stays here in California a bit longer? Would he get in trouble with that Zorro because of that woman?"

"Don't worry. Zorro will not hurt him," Diego said, serious. "You can go back to Madrid whenever you want. I'll take care of Esteban."

"You haven't done a very good job so far, Son, or he would not be limping as he does," Don Alejandro said harshly. "But don't worry, Emilio. Diego is right: Zorro will not hurt your son. He will teach him a lesson or two, but he won't be harmed. Unless he volunteers for any other stunts, of course, because then I'll be the one to break his skull to get some sense into him, as you wish."

ZZZ

One morning, when he was able to walk much better without the help of the crutches, Esteban got to the pueblo in the cart with Diego and Felipe, willing to see Victoria, but she hardly looked at him or talked to him all the time he spent at the tavern, ignoring him as if he wasn't there. However, he caught her gaze a couple of times, watching him when he wasn't looking, but she adverted her eyes quickly when he stared back at her. Why are you so nervous again? What are you afraid of? The last time he saw her she had behaved in a completely different way. She was relaxed, giggling and taking his hand while they were in jail, and now she was extremely cold with him again. It didn't make sense, unless it was the guilt she felt for flirting while she was engaged to Zorro. He could feel she was still interested in him, but she was denying her own feelings. Keeping the distance was easier for her to maintain control over her emotions, but it meant he didn't need to worry so much about her cold attitude. If he could get through that barricade of indifference, he could have a real chance with her.

When they finished their drinks, Diego suggested having a look at the next issue of The Guardian he had prepared, where he talked about the circus and Esteban, so they all got out to go to the newspaper office to review the draft, including Victoria. At the plaza, the alcalde and some soldiers were collecting the annual taxes. As usual, some of the poorest farmers were complaining because they could not pay the taxes if they wanted to feed their families.

"I don't care, Mejías, you still have to pay," the alcalde said, bored of hearing the same story over and over.

"The crop failed. I didn't make any money this year, Alcalde. It is not fair we all have to pay the same amount, regardless of what we made. I have to feed my family. I can't pay you!"

"Enough!" the alcalde said then loudly, standing up from his chair. "This is a warning to everybody. I'll give you two days to pay what you owe, or I will flog anyone who fails to pay the taxes on time! The Crown expects me to collect all that money by Friday, and this is exactly what I intend to do! Is that clear?"

"Is he for real? Flogging people?" Esteban whispered to Diego.

"I am afraid so. He is crazy. Please, don't get involved."

"I can't believe this," Esteban said, ignoring the advice. He limped to the table where Mendoza was counting the money and faced the alcalde.

"You cannot be serious. You cannot flog people without a valid reason! They are not criminals; they just had a tough year. Flogging them will get you no money at all, so it is pointless."

"Are you defying my authority? How dare you?" the alcalde said, unbelieving Esteban's attitude. He wasn't used to be confronted, other than by Zorro and maybe Don Alejandro, but certainly not so directly as Esteban was doing, in front of everybody. Not like that.

"I dare because I care. You won't flog anyone," Esteban said with his hand resting on the pommel of his sword.

"Is he insane?" Victoria said. "Diego, do something!"

"What do you want me to do?" Diego said, helpless. Zorro could try something, but not him.

"Are you challenging me? Is that it?" Ramón said, measuring the opponent, red-faced with rage. The young De la Vega looked cocky, but he was recovering from a nasty injury in his leg, still limping with it, and he didn't look dangerous enough to be a real threat.

"Challenging? Call it as you like, but you won't flog anybody."

"Of course I will, and I'm going to start with you!" Ramón said, unsheathing his sword.

Esteban stepped back and unsheathed his sword as well, standing on guard.

Oh, no. There we go. And only two days after I promised his father I would take care of him. Damn! Diego thought. His right arm still hurt, not completely healed yet, but even if it was, he didn't know how to help. Not without Zorro's gear on, without an excuse to be brave and daring. As Diego he could not get involved in a sword fight. Not in public.

"Alcalde, please, stop it. Don't be ridiculous," Diego said, attempting to stop the fight with words. "He doesn't really mean it."

"Shut up, De la Vega! Your cousin needs a lesson to know how things are handled in Los Angeles, and I will be the teacher," Ramón said while attacking Esteban, who parried the incoming sword easily. They engaged in an intense swordfight then, with the cling-clang of the swords resonating in the plaza.

Diego watched Esteban's technique with interest. It wasn't bad, and his style was good, but he noticed some deficiencies he could easily correct if he ever had the chance to teach him properly. The main problem for Esteban was his injured leg, because he wasn't fast enough to move out of the way, and the alcalde, with an inferior fencing ability, was taking advantage of this. When he managed to slice Esteban's arm superficially, drawing blood, Victoria got hold of Diego's arm tightly, gasping.

"Oh, no!"

"He is alright, don't worry," he said, tapping her hand, playing it down, but still concerned for Esteban's safety.

"Have you got enough, insolent yob?" Ramón shouted then.

"Not from you, no," Esteban answered back, attacking him again. After a succession of fast moves he managed to beat the alcalde's sword out of the way and advanced his own, resting the tip lightly on his chest. Ramón stood still then with his sword still in his hand, showing panic on his face.

"Now, be careful there, lad. Don't lose you head," he said, looking down to the sword.

"I'm not losing anything, but you may do if you persist in your attitude."

"All right. You win. I won't flog anybody," he said quickly. "Get that sword away from me!"

"I have your word then. No flogging."

"No flogging."

Esteban lowered his sword. He turned to walk away from that man, but before he could go back with his family, Ramón hit the back of his head hard with his sword's pommel.

"Lancers! Arrest this man!"

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