Chapter 13

Pablo Pepito Punson was his name. He was her fiancé. Victoria was still getting used to the idea. It had all happened so unbelievably fast. She hadn't expected to be such a desirable match. But as a woman with her own business and sufficient wealth, she had her pick of suitors within two days. Among them, she found don Pablo to be the most suitable choice.
Should she be honest with herself, Victoria might have admitted that don Pablo aroused the least aversion. However, at that moment, she wasn't capable of such honesty.

Pablo was the youngest son of one of the great landowners. His eldest brother would inherit the ranch. There was plenty of money in the family. But Pablo had agreed not inherit any property, accepting money instead. Therefore, a woman with her own assets was an acceptable choice for Pablo and his family. Victoria mused the only downside of don Pablo was that he played the guitar.
He was rather shy. And he played the guitar. However, Pablo also had advantages. He was kind and polite, never engaged in any odd antics, and Victoria had never caught him drunk in the tavern. The latter was a big plus. If there was one thing she despised, it was drunken men thinking they could take liberties.
Victoria agreed to the marriage, and it was decided that the joyous occasion would take place in three weeks.

Soon, the entire pueblo knew the tavern owner would soon marry. Everyone expected it to lure Zorro to Los Angeles, wherever the man was hiding. When this hadn't happened after two weeks, everyone had to accept that Zorro had left Los Angeles forever now that justice had prevailed. Victoria had no choice but to admit that Zorro had been serious when he broke off the engagement and said he saw no future for them both. Victoria would have gladly kept her promise. It was Zorro who hadn't kept his.

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The journey to Santa Barbara went smoothly this time.
Diego and Felipe arrived even faster than expected. First, Diego arranged the purchase papers for Toronado. From now on he was to go by the name Vendaval. Luis Cristóbal was initially hesitant about the idea of Felipe apprenticing with him. After all, the boy was deaf and mute. However, once he realized that Felipe wasn't deaf, and he was an intelligent, eager-to-learn boy with an extensive, solid knowledge, he agreed. He solemnly promised to do everything in his power to ensure that Felipe could fulfil his ambition to become a lawyer. It was agreed that Felipe would return to Santa Barbara within a month and then be given a position as a trainee notary. They visited Rafael and Margarita. Rafael admired Vendaval and praised Diego for his luck in buying such an outstanding stallion.

Rafael asked Diego if he would stay a few days longer than originally planned. Their second son would soon be baptized, and Margarita and Rafael asked Diego to be his godfather.

Honoured by the offer, Diego agreed and wrote to his father that he would stay in Santa Barbara for an additional week. Also included in the letter was the news that he had bought a stallion that he suspected the old don would see as an asset to their stable.

The day after the baptism, Felipe and Diego departed for Los Angeles.

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As Diego had predicted, don Alejandro was not initially pleased to hear that his son had independently purchased a new stallion. Especially not when he heard how much money Diego claimed to have paid for the stallion.

"Six and a half thousand pesos?! What can it do? Fly or something!?" Don Alejandro asked in amazement.

"Almost, father, almost," Diego replied with a smile as he walked in front of his father.

"You'll also be glad to know you made it back just in time to attend the festivities," don Alejandro remarked casually.

But listening with only half an ear, Diego was nervous about how his father would react when he saw Toronado, so he asked, "What festivities?"

"Oh, that's right. You had left when it was announced. Señorita Victoria is getting married."

Diego stopped abruptly. His father almost bumped into his son. "What?"

"In four days. To Pablo Pepito Punson. You know him. The youngest son of don Placido Punson," Don Alejandro explained.

"How, how did this happen so suddenly?" Diego stammered.

Don Alejandro hesitated before explaining what had happened. "Before I tell you, remember Victoria told me in strict confidence. Just before Soto's departure, Zorro informed Victoria that she had been waiting for him in vain all these years and that he had never planned to do the honourable thing. Now that he seems to have vanished off the face of the earth, she has decided to move on with her life. After all, she's not getting any younger. It is time she starts a family of her own. As it is for you, by the way. So Victoria went to see the matchmaker. Don Pablo offered her his hand in marriage. And Victoria accepted."

At that moment, don Alejandro caught sight of Vendaval. "Diego, is this the stallion you bought?"

"Uh, yes," Diego replied, his thoughts racing.

"Son, I am astonished. What a magnificent animal. I would almost dare to swear that it's Toronado. I've never seen Toronado up close, but he looks exactly like him. Are you sure it's not Zorro's horse?"

Diego pulled out the forged papers from his pocket. "According to the papers, he has always belonged to a certain Salvador Guilarez, living in La Purisima. He was at the auction to make sure he got the best price."

"But why would someone sell such a creature?" Don Alejandro scrutinized the papers meticulously and could only conclude that they were genuine.

Alejandro needed no encouragement to order the stable boy to saddle the horse and make a test ride himself.

Diego gave a slight nod. Vendaval allowed the old don to ride him. After just a few minutes, don Alejandro called out from the saddle. "Diego, I believe you've bought a new foundation sire for our mares! What a creature!"

.

Victoria was getting married. Victoria was getting married. He was the one that broke off their engagement, and Victoria was getting married to another man. Diego heard the blood pulsing in his temples. Breathing was hard since each breath cut through his heart.
Victoria was getting married.
He had brought this upon himself.
Victoria was getting married. Victoria was getting married.

It proved what he had always suspected. Victoria had never seen Diego as a man, and never considered him for a moment as anything other than a friend. Sadly enough, no matter what happened, he would never truly stop loving her.

He heard his father rambling on about Vendaval. And also telling him that Victoria had asked him to give her away. How proud the matchmaker was that she had managed to broker a marriage between two people so well and fast.

Victoria was getting married. And like her, he had to move on with his life.

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