Chapter 33 – Reparatory marriage

"How the hell did you have the nerve to do that?! Do you think that is an acceptable behaviour for a gentleman, and what's more, for a De la Vega?!" Don Alejandro cried, so angry his veins protruded in his neck and his eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out. "Using her as a whore, and at her father's house, of all places! Don José should shoot you down, like a dog! And I would not complain about it!"

Now dressed, Esteban was applying a cold compress to his bruised jaw, leaning with his other hand on the table, looking miserable as hell. Don José had punched his face a second time, dragged him unconscious to his horse, and then he had delivered him naked to the hacienda De la Vega, making a scene before he returned to his hacienda to scold Lucía.

It wasn't the first time Esteban had been caught in bed with a woman. However, he was prepared for that eventuality before, but this time he didn't have a clue what was going on when he woke up in Lucía's bed, and he couldn't react in time. Waking up at the hacienda's entrance with no clothes when his uncle threw a bucket of water to his face had been too humiliating, even for him.

"What do you have to say in your defence? Anything at all?" Don Emilio barked, annoyed by his son's silence and apparent indifference.

"I don't know how that happened," Esteban said, not lifting his eyes from the table.

"Don't you, now?" Don Alejandro said, crossing his arms over his chest to keep his hands away from his nephew because the urge to slap the back of his head was too powerful to resist.

"Esteban, you don't really think we are going to believe you, do you?" Diego said.

"Yes, because that's the truth. I don't know how I ended up in her bed, and I don't remember what happened while I was there. Not at all."

"Were you drunk?"

"No!" Esteban complained, shaking his head, looking at his cousin then. "But she gave me a glass of Porto. It did taste quite strong, so I guess she drugged me or something."

"Stop it! Stop it right there! I can't believe this: not only you took advantage of her, now you want to blame her at all costs with ridiculous accusations?" Don Alejandro said. Then, he grabbed Diego's upper arms and pushed him forward, to show Esteban a prime example of gentlemanship. "Look at Diego. Why can't you learn from him? Don't you think your cousin has needs, as we all men do? Of course he does, but he doesn't act on them, chasing skirts like you do! He knows better than having sex with respectable women and he knows how important it is to preserve a woman's honour before she gets married!"

Diego had to make use of his best poker face at that moment, and hope he would not be betrayed by an inconvenient blushing.

Father, please, stop it! he thought, rolling his eyes. He already felt like a piece of shit for what he had done, and his father's words were like burning rods at the sorest of spots. He couldn't scold Esteban at all when he had almost raped Victoria in a moment of weakness, and the same as his cousin, he had also carelessly fallen asleep risking to be caught in the morning, not only by Victoria herself finding his secret identity, but also because someone could have seen him leaving the tavern in the early morning. A total fiasco it was. And now, with every hard word and insult his father directed to Esteban, he felt as if he was the deserving recipient for that anger. Not a good feeling at all.

"Father, please, this is not necessary."

"Of course it is, Diego! Why? You are not going to defend him, are you?"

"No, of course not, but…"

"No buts! Esteban, you will marry Lucía, and that is final! I'll talk to Padre Benítez right now!"

"Look, I'm not going to argue anymore, and the only reason for this is because I can't remember anything about last night. And as I can't remember, I can't deny I had any sexual contact with that woman as I denied it before. I won't marry her because you say so, or because her father says so, but because I say so. Just to make it clear to you both," Esteban said to his father and uncle, recovering a little bit of his dignity.

"Good! I don't care either way. But you are marrying that woman before the end of the week!" Don Alejandro said, storming out.

ZZZ

"Bless me Padre, for I have sinned."

"Tell me, hijo mío. What happened? What have you done?" Padre Benítez said.

"I am a terrible person, Padre. Weak, stupid, and I don't deserve to live!"

"Do you mind to start from the beginning, please?"

"Yes, Padre, certainly. A while ago I got involved with a young woman, barely of age, a lady much younger than me. I know I shouldn't have, but she was very persuasive, and she's so beautiful, and in a moment of weakness we made love. I regretted immediately, but she got obsessed with me, and she threatened to tell everybody, including my wife, if I put an end to the affair. To make matters worse, she's the daughter of a good friend of mine. If she had made it public it would have been a scandal of epic proportions, so I carried on having sex with her for three months, just to keep her quiet, hoping she would get tired of me and leave me alone." The man made a pause then, and Padre Benítez encouraged him to continue.

"And what happened then?"

"Then she got pregnant. She wanted me to leave my wife and my family and run away with her to Mexico. I told her she should take some herbs to induce an abortion… Dios mío, I know, I'm a terrible person!" the anxious man said, starting to cry then.

"But you are repentant, which is the most important thing, Son. Carry on, please."

"She didn't want to have an abortion. She said I ruined her life and I should take responsibility for her pregnancy. But the truth is, I wanted to put an end to that sordid affair the moment it started, so it's not my fault. Well, it is, but it's not. Not completely."

"I understand; it is too much of a burden to take all the responsibility on your shoulders. She should share some of the blame for seducing you. What else?"

"She said she was going to try a quick fix then, because she wanted to keep my child. She is trying to get married to a young man before the pregnancy shows."

"Without telling him?"

"I presume so."

"I see."

"And now my wife died of a heart attack! I think God has done it for not taking care of this young woman, taking away my beautiful wife to punish me for my sins!"

"I don't think that would be the case, but He works in mysterious ways."

"Also, I feel sorry for this young man who has been tricked into marriage, but I can't tell the truth now."

"Why not?"

"Because I am a coward. And because if I do tell, then I should marry that young woman myself now that I'm a widow because she is carrying my child. But I don't want to, because I will be miserable with her. I don't think she is right on the head, Padre."

"Interesting story yours, hijo mío. I would like to be more helpful, but only you can do that for yourself. For your soul to rest, I think you should make the affair public and take responsibility and face the consequences of your actions."

"I told you I can't do that!"

"You can't or you don't want?"

"Both."

"Well, in that case, I can't absolve you completely. For your penance you can say fifty Padrenuestros, but you'll still need to make it public to be forgiven by our Father."

"I can't! And you can't tell either, because this should be a confession secret. Your vows of silence won't let you tell the truth to anyone."

"That young man you're talking about should know the truth, and you know it."

"I feel sorry for him, of course, but I don't care about him that much! Look, I should go now. I hope I can count on your discretion. Sorry for wasting your time," that man said, standing up to leave the confessional.

Padre Benítez got up as well and got out of the booth, just in time to spot Don Luis leaving the church, which wasn't a surprise for him because he had officiated his young wife's funeral service only the day before.

"Wait!" he shouted, but that man didn't turn back. By the time Padre Benítez got to the door he had vanished. Don Alejandro arrived at the church right then, looking very upset.

"Padre Benítez, how good to find you here. I need to talk to you."

"What about?" the Padre said, hoping it would be nothing like the previous case.

"Can you officiate a wedding as soon as possible, please?"

"Who's getting married?"

"My nephew Esteban and Lucía, Don José's daughter."

"Are they?" he said, suspicious, because it all fitted with Don Luis's story. "I think I should talk to them in private first, separately."

"Why? It is a matter of urgency, Padre; a matter of honour. I'm afraid Don José caught my nephew in bed with her, and he is demanding a reparatory marriage as soon as possible. It should not be delayed."

"Good Lord!"

"What?"

"Nothing. As I said, I need to talk to Don Esteban and Doña Lucía as soon as possible. If everything is all right, I'll marry them on Saturday."

ZZZ

That afternoon Victoria could not stand the conversations going on at the tavern. Word had come out about Esteban and Lucía's affair, and everybody was talking about that. Listening to the vile comments her customers made about Lucía, she got stressed wondering what would they be saying about the innkeeper if anybody knew what had happened in her bedroom the night before. As everybody was also blaming Esteban for not behaving like a gentleman, Victoria couldn't help but comparing him to Zorro. Shouldn't have he been more careful, and refused her advances if he was a true gentleman? Sure, he could have said no, couldn't he? But in which position would that leave her? A sex-driven whore? Last night she thought what had happened was beautiful, and magical, but now she had been sore all day, and thanks to the events in everybody's mouth she had second thoughts that got her into a dark place, a place full of shame and self-condemnation. Besides, Zorro had come to the tavern with the intention of breaking the engagement. Without a doubt, he was still thinking about that, regardless of what happened last night, and then what would happen to her? She would be single, but not a virgin anymore. She felt filthy then, and unworthy.

She was in the kitchen, mulling over that when Esteban came through the curtains. When she saw him, she had an easy target to direct all her anger and frustration.

"What are you doing here? How dare you showing your face in my tavern?"

"I'm sorry. I know you said you didn't want to talk to me ever again, but I had to see you."

"Get out! I have nothing to say to you!"

"You don't, but I do. I want to let you know I've been tricked into marriage, and it is killing me, because I wanted to wait for you."

"How can you say you love me, and that you want to wait for me, and then run to share that blonde bimbo's bed? You are a piece of shit, and I'm so glad I didn't get involved with you in a moment of weakness!" Victoria said, too furious to keep her voice down.

"I am telling you, she must have drugged me, because I don't know how I ended up in her bed! You have to believe me!"

"Marvellous, now you blame the girl for your filth! Cerdo!"

"Yes, I blame her, that manipulative bitch from hell. And now I have to do the "honourable thing" and marry her. I bet she is pregnant already with a bastard child, and I'll have to smile when she gives birth like the proud father, and the rest of the charade."

Victoria slapped his face then.

"I can't listen to your excuses any longer! I'm so disappointed with you. Get out of my sight!"

"She is ruining my life, Victoria, and everybody is against me. But I know I haven't done anything wrong. I can only hope the truth will come to light one day."

"Adiós! Get out of the tavern now! And don't come back!" she cried, showing him the back door.

"Goodbye. I'll see you at the wedding."

"No way I'm attending that travesty of a wedding. No chance in hell!"

"As you wish." He stood there by the frame looking at her with deep sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry. For everything."

"Will you get out?!"

He finally got out of the kitchen through the back door, and she slammed it on his back, so hard it nearly bounced off its hinges.

ZZZ

Don Alejandro invited Don José and his daughter for dinner that evening to talk about the wedding, which would take place in three days' time. Lucía acted shy and demure, hardly talking or lifting her eyes from the plate. Esteban looked at her from across the table, upset at how well she played the victim, and how indifferent she was to him.

When they had finished dinner, Esteban asked her to go out to the garden with him like the last time.

"Lucía, can I have the honour to walk you to the garden, please?"

"Why? I don't think that is appropriate under the circumstances," Don Alejandro said.

"What's the worst that can happen, Uncle? That I kiss her? It's too late for that to be significant, don't you think?" Esteban spat. Diego had to grab his father's arm then or he would have punched Esteban in the nose for his impertinence.

"Leave it, Father. His attitude is not the best, but he is right. They should talk."

"I don't mind talking, Don Alejandro. It will only be a minute, don't worry," Lucía said, walking outside. Esteban walked past his uncle quickly then, avoiding his fist, and followed her.

"I'm sorry, José. I am very sorry you are taking that home."

"Not with pleasure, that's for sure, Alejandro. I have to say it: I didn't put a bullet between his eyes in the heat of the moment this morning because he is your relative."

"Good. Thank you. Let's go to the library to have a drink. Can you keep an eye on them, Diego?"

"Yes, sure. Go. We'll join you in a moment."

While the elders went to the library, Diego leaned on the door frame, watching the couple walk to the far end of the garden. He couldn't hear them, but they seemed to be arguing. At one point, she lunged for him, as if she wanted to scratch his face, but he stepped back quickly and avoided her. She lost her balance, falling over, and Diego stepped into the garden then, keen to help her because Esteban had turned his back on her, ignoring her.

ZZZ

"Why did you do it? Why are you tricking me into marriage like this?"

"I didn't do anything. You did."

"The last thing I remember was sitting on an armchair with a glass of Porto in my hand while waiting for your father to arrive. The next thing, I woke up in your bed with your screams. What did you put in the wine?"

"I don't know what are you talking about. You seduced me, and I fell for it."

"You are pregnant, aren't you? Is that why you're doing this?"

She didn't answer then, staying aloof and indifferent.

"Why me?"

"Why not? At least you are handsome."

"Thank you, but that is not enough. You're ruining my life. I had other plans, you know?"

"What plans? Marrying that tavern wench? She is Zorro's girlfriend, in case you haven't noticed it," she said maliciously.

"That's my problem, not yours."

"I am making you a favour, because you'll never get her. You'll never be good enough to compete with Zorro."

Up to that point, Esteban was quietly accepting his fate, but he could not tolerate her vile comments then.

"Shut up! Look, you seem very keen to make my life miserable, but have you thought about what's going to happen to you once we are married?"

She didn't answer, and she continued to look at him with an indifferent face, but losing her composure a little.

"On Saturday, you'll be my wife. Pay attention: mine. I could hit you every day, even rape you if I wanted to behind closed doors, anytime I wanted, and nobody would move a finger, not even your father, because you'll be mine. You haven't thought about that, have you? Well, I'll marry you, as you wish, but I'll make sure your life is as miserable as mine, if no more, for the rest of your existence!"

She growled then, lunging for him, but he was expecting it and moved fast to get out of the way. She tripped and fell then, hitting one of the garden benches hard with her abdomen before she hit the ground. Esteban didn't try to help her up. Instead, he turned his back on her and walked away.

"Where are you going?" Diego said, on his way to help Lucía. "Help her!"

"You help her if you want! I am through with her already!" he said, walking past his cousin. Diego shook his head, incredulous, and got to Lucía, who was scrambling to her feet.

"Are you all right? What happened?" he said, helping her up.

"Thank you, Diego. It's alright. I think I made a mistake and fell for the wrong De la Vega, that's all." It would have been much easier to cajole Diego, she thought then. My bad for wanting someone more spirited than him.

She felt a sharp pain in her abdomen then, and she bent forward, holding her front, letting out a short cry.

"What's wrong? Are you sure you are alright?"

"Yes, it's nothing. I have… woman's pains, that's all. It's that time of the month. Please, let's go inside to tell my father I want to go home now." She made an effort to walk normally, hoping she would not bleed noticeably, and she was glad to be in her carriage on the way home shortly after.

ZZZ

"What did you tell her? What did you do?" Don Alejandro said after Don José and his daughter left. "She looked very upset."

"Nothing. I only told her how much I'm looking forward to call her my wife, to call her mine," Esteban said.

"What do you mean by that? What are you playing at? You didn't want to marry her only two days ago," Don Emilio said.

"Well, I changed my mind."

"Padre Benítez wants to talk to you before the wedding. You should go and talk to him tomorrow morning," Don Alejandro said. "He is worried about Lucía's motivations, and also yours."

"All right, I'll do that. Now, if you don't mind, I'll retire to bed. Buenas noches."

"What's wrong with him now?" Don Emilio asked after his son left the library.

"I don't know, but there's something going on," Diego said, suspicious. And I don't like it.

ZZZZZ