My thanks to PamZ. Her transcripts contribute significantly to the creation of this story.

Every word you recognize from the series isn't mine.

These chapters get inspired by the episode, 'Zorro's other woman.' S1E7.

Chapter 24

Victoria feels a hint of disappointment but is hardly surprised her when Maria tells her her husband is not at home. As far as the housekeeper knows, he went to the Indian camp to assist in the construction of a second mine shaft. "That's what I heard when don Alejandro asked Felipe. The boy went to the pueblo to help the padre."

For someone who claims to be a homebody, her husband is surprisingly often absent or untraceable. This time, Victoria was fortunate that Maria knew where he had gone. Half the time, she has no idea. Actually, Victoria was relieved that no one was home this time. She had an important appointment that she preferred no one know about.

Victoria knows that although Diego often sleeps in, she also knows that on some days he is gone before the rooster crows. After years of rising at the crack of dawn herself, she is always awake early. And she has heard the bedroom door of the room next to hers open at the most impossible hours.

Diego respects her opinions and even encourages her to delve into a variety of subjects that interest her. He is a man with modern ideas about equality between men and women. Except when it comes to the nights.

Disheartened, Victoria finishes her cup of hot coffee, grabs an apple from the bowl, and says, "Maria, if someone asks where I am, please tell them that I went to the pueblo to do some shopping at the market. I'll be back in time for dinner tonight."

"I will do that. Doña Victoria, do you happen to have time to stop by the Flores farm? The old man is not doing well, and I thought you might want to take him a basket of food."

Victoria quickly glanced at the clock; she would have to hurry to be on time for her appointment. However, refusing Maria's request would raise suspicion.
"Sure, Maria. Give it to me. I'll stop by the farm first before heading to the pueblo."

Victoria donned her scarf, accepted the basket from Maria, and proceeded to the stable.
Manuel had already prepared her carriage. Victoria loaded the basket onto the carriage, climbed onto the driver's seat, and set off.

The Flores farm was about a mile and a half outside the pueblo and bordered the La Vega ranch on the western side. Victoria knew that don Alejandro attached great importance to maintaining good relations with his neighbours and often helped them whenever possible.
Victoria spurred her horse into a steady trot.
She handed the basket to señora Flores, the old man's daughter-in-law, and inquired about his health. After getting a brief update, Victoria apologized, saying that she really had to continue but would come by again later in the week to inquire about the man's condition.

She was just out of sight of the farmhouse when a rider approached her. Victoria was surprised to see that it was Zorro, and he seemed to be intentionally coming her way. Did he want to talk to her again? Why did he seek her out?

"Doña Victoria," the masked man greeted her, tipping the brim of his hat in a friendly gesture. "I'm glad to see you. Would you do me a great favor?"

"Why is that? Do you want me to ask don Alejandro something?"
Victoria heard a baby crying. "What was that?"

Zorro opened his cape, revealing a basket on the front of his saddle from which unmistakable cries were emanating.

"A baby?" Victoria couldn't have been more astonished. "Is it yours...? I mean..." Why did she have to start stuttering and ask such an impertinent question?

"No, she is not my child. I encountered two bandits. While fleeing, the parents were forced to leave this baby behind."

"Her?" Victoria craned her neck to get a better look at the basket.

"I would be very grateful if you could look after her while I attempt to locate her parents."

Victoria's heart melted at the sight of the baby. "What a cutie," she said, jumping off the wagon to take the baby from Zorro. She lifted the girl out of the basket and began comforting her. "Sush, little one. Are you hungry?" Victoria made cooing sounds. Remembering that Zorro was waiting for an answer, she added, "I will take her and make sure she gets fed. And a diaper change wouldn't hurt, judging by the smell."

"I entrust her to your good care. I will let you know as soon as I find out more. Adiós, doña Victoria." Zorro tipped his hat and disappeared from sight.

There she stood with a baby in her arms. What was she going to do? She couldn't exactly take the child with her to her appointment. Besides, the girl was loudly expressing her hunger. There was no choice but to go to the tavern first and ask her helpers to watch the baby for half an hour.

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Victoria guided the wagon into the stable, picked up the baby, and entered the kitchen through the back door where Pilar was busy cutting vegetables.

"Victoria, I didn't expect to see you today. What do you have there?"
Curiosity got the better of her as she peered into the basket. "Oh, what a cute little baby," she teased. "You don't waste your time."

"Haha, very funny. I ran into Zorro."

Pilar immediately wanted to know all the details. "Does Zorro have a child?"

"No, apparently this child was left behind by her parents when they had to flee from the bandits. Zorro asked me to take care of her until he finds her parents. Would you mind watching her for a while? I have an appointment with, uh, uh..." She couldn't say with whom.

Pilar, who was leaning over the basket, cooing at the baby, only half-listened to Victoria.
"Of course, go ahead. I'll make some porridge for her. She must be hungry."

"Great, thank you. There should be some old sheets among the rags. Tear them up so we can use them as diapers. I need to hurry."

Victoria quickly crossed the plaza on her way to Doctor Hernandez. If he confirmed her suspicion, she would be a mother herself in a few months. Lost in thought, Victoria greeted the alcalde, who was accompanied by Mendoza, as they came out of the church. She was too preoccupied with herself to realize how unusual it was for Ramon to go to church. Even on most Sundays, the alcalde was absent.

.

"Thank you, Pilar," Victoria said.

"You're welcome. She's really adorable. Once she had her belly full, she started laughing." Pilar replied.

The baby made noises and began nibbling on her fists.

Victoria took the baby from Pilar, who gently stroked her cheek. "Here are the diapers you asked for. She's already been changed, it was necessary."

After the doctor confirmed her suspicions and congratulated her, Victoria went to the tavern to pick up the baby. She knew that Diego and don Alejandro would understand that she couldn't refuse Zorro's request. Cradling the girl in her arms, Victoria smiled down at her.

Pilar mused. "She has been very sweet."

The baby grabbed onto Victoria's hair with her tiny fists, playing and laughing.

"How old do you think she is?" Pilar asked.

"That's not important. What's more important is that Zorro hopefully finds her parents soon. They must be worried sick."

"Have you considered the possibility that this might be Zorro's child, and that he left her with you?" Pilar cautiously suggested.

"What? No way. Of course not."

Pilar wiped her hands on her apron. "You wouldn't be the first to find a deserted child on your doorstep, nor the last."

"Oh, please, stop," she said. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who didn't trust Zorro to do only good.

The curtains to the dining room flew open, and Mendoza entered the kitchen. "What do I have to do to get some service around here!?" Surprise crossed his face. "Is that a baby?"

"I'm coming, sergeant. What would you like? I have some delicious enchiladas." Pilar led Mendoza back to the dining room.

Victoria placed the baby back in her basket and picked up the stack of diapers that Pilar had prepared on the worktable. She was pondering whether there was anything in the tavern that could be useful for the baby's care when the curtains opened again. Startled, she thought it was Pilar and was even more surprised to see the alcalde.

"Well, well. The noble doña Victoria de la Vega turns out to be nothing more than a child abductor."

Victoria tried to explain what was happening. "That's not true. You see, Zorro..."

"Ah, Zorro. Why am I not surprised that the fox is involved in this? Apparently, your aversion to the criminal is less intense than you would like us to believe. Doña Victoria, you are under arrest."No matter how much Victoria tried to explain to the alcalde, he had heard the name Zorro and jumped to conclusions.
"Lock her up and take care of the child," the alcalde said, thrusting the baby into the sergeant's arms. "I will inform her parents."

"Please, doña Victoria." Mendoza looked at her with a pair of puppy eyes.

"Oh, Mendoza," Victoria cried out in frustration.

Victoria followed Mendoza to the cuartel.

.

"Mendoza, you need to go to the hacienda and let them know where I am," Victoria said from behind the bars.

"That won't be possible. The alcalde ordered me to take care of the baby. If I don't, he will be very angry."

"Then send one of your lancers. Come on, Mendoza, Diego has the right to know where I am."

"Si, si," Mendoza reluctantly agreed. "I'll ask Gomez." The baby began to cry and Mendoza hurried back to the office.

.

Victoria lay on the cot, listening to the crying and Mendoza's futile attempts to comfort the little girl. This was the second time she had been in jail. She hoped that Mendoza would be kind to the baby. He was a clumsy soldier, but he had a good heart and would never intentionally harm a child. But what did Mendoza know about babies? Babies! The thought reminded her of her own early pregnancy.
The doctor confirmed her suspicions. It wasn't visible yet, and she secretly hoped it wouldn't become apparent for some time. Victoria felt very happy because she was pregnant.

.

In the hacienda, don Alejandro was busy with preparations for his dinner that evening. He checked the table arrangements, inspected the flowers, and ensured the napkins were properly folded. The tasks seemed endless and were usually considered women's work. Victoria had promised to oversee the preparations. According to Maria, Victoria had gone to the pueblo with a promise to return on time.
His daughter-in-law was beginning to exhibit the same traits as his son. Whenever he needed them, both would disappear without a trace.
"Felipe, do you know where Victoria is?"

Felipe shook his head.

"I don't understand. She promised to take care of everything. She didn't forget because she remembered it this morning. Do you know where Diego is, then?"
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. "Never mind. I have to handle everything myself here." Don Alejandro walked to the front door to see who it could be.

"Don Alejandro, I bring you news that Victoria de la Vega has been arrested."

The man was about to turn away but was stopped by don Alejandro. "Arrested? What do you mean? By whom and on what grounds?"

The man, whom Alejandro believed was named Gomez, said in a manner that implied he knew. "On the order of alcalde Luis Ramon. Doña Victoria has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction and conspiracy with the bandit known as el Zorro."

"That must be a misunderstanding. Victoria would never do such a thing."

"I'm just relaying the message Sergeant Mendoza ordered me to give you."
The lancer nodded in greeting and disappeared from the doorway.

Don Alejandro closed the front door and turned around. "Felipe, we need to find Diego. Victoria is..."

Don Alejandro's words trailed off. There was no one else in the library besides him.

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