Victoria had done her best not to stare at their host that evening, but achieving that had been almost impossible, for her eyes kept searching for him.

The count was older than Diego, and far richer than the De la Vegas had ever been. He also seemed like a very different man than Zorro, to whom she had been constantly thinking of since that day he had taken her to his cave and confessed how he felt about her.

No, the count was unlike both the two men she carried in her heart. Still, there was something about him… Something that escaped definition. In his arms she felt at home.

He had said no word during their dance, as if afraid that some kind of magic spell might break; and she had also respected that silence. Yet, the way he had danced with her, the passion he had put into his every move, the way his hand had felt upon her waist made Victoria wish for that dance to never end. That they could stay like that forever: dance their lives away and never part.

Was that what love at first sight felt like? She had never experienced it before. With Diego it had been different. She had known him her entire life. They had grown up together and had always loved each other. True, their childhood feelings, that love that, at first, resembled what one felt for a member of one's family, had transformed over the years to become romantic love. And it was the kind of love that lasts a lifetime, of that Victoria was certain.

For she knew she'd never be able to stop loving Diego. Even dead, he lived in her memry and would always be with her.

But, then, since first she had seen Zorro, she had also started to realize her heart beat faster every time he was near. She admired him, surely. But she was also starting to love him, and that, without even knowing who he truly was, nor even what he looked like.

And now, she was, once again falling in love with the count. Or was it just infatuation? He was charming, handsome, and very rich. Not to mention that he also seemed to like her, for why else had he chosen to invite her to be his partner for the evening's first dance?

Was it, however, love she was starting to feel for him, or just infatuation? And what about Zorro? Did she love him? If she did, then why was she relishing another's arms around her?

"Are you alright, my dear?" Don Alejandro asked at one point as they were strolling through the gardens, him talking and Victoria not listening to even one word he was saying.

"Si, Don Alejandro… It's just that… The count… There's something about him…" she replied, not even realizing in time what she was saying.

"Yes… I know what you mean," the don said, causing her to fully return to her senses and focus her attention on him. "For some reason, ever since he got here, I… I don't feel alone anymore... I mean, true, he does insist on spending most evenings in my company, and I very much enjoy talking to him. But it's not only that… I hardly know the man, yet I feel like I can truly confide in him… Strange, is it not?"

"Yes…" Victoria agreed. "Though, I understand what you mean, Don Alejandro. I have just met him but I feel the same way... Like… Like I was just reunited with an old friend…"

The caballero nodded his similar conclusion, but neither one truly questioned the reason why they felt like that, attributing it to the nobleman's charisma.

ZZZ

Around 10 pm, while most of the guests were dancing, talking, or just enjoying the count's hospitality, Corporal Sepulveda arrived on horseback, demanding to speak with his superiors. Mendoza was soon announced of his arrival, and, after he was informed about the reason for his lancer's presence there, both he and the Corporal entered the hacienda, searching for De Soto.

"Alcalde," the sergeant uttered, interrupting a conversation between his superior and a don.

"Unless it's urgent, I'd rather you didn't interrupt me when I am talking." The official chided.

"But, Alcalde, this is urgent…" the sergeant whined.

Taking a deep breath and slightly straightening himself, De Soto apologized to the don and followed Mendoza outside, to the front terrace.

"What is it, Sergeant? What is so urgent that it could not wait until morning?"

"Sepulveda here says a Colonel has taken over your office, Alcalde."

"He rode into the pueblo with twenty guardsmen and demands to see you at once." Sepulveda hurried to add in a grave, self-important tone. "He says he's the commander of the Devil's Fortress."

"Is there something the matter, Alcalde?" the count asked, having overheard part of their conversation.

"Oh, nothing to be concerned about, Your Excellency. Unfortunately, however, it seems like I will have to take my leave." De Soto replied.

"I am sorry to hear that, but I fully understand. Please let me know if there's anything I can assist you with."

"Thank you, Your Excellency, but I believe I can manage…" De Soto said, and after asking for his horse, he left together with his men, heading for the pueblo.

"Anything the matter?" the abbot neared the count to ask.

"The commander of the Devil's Fortress is in Los Angeles," he answered rather concerned. "We need to find out why."

"You are the host. You can't just leave in the middle of your party. It will have to wait till morning," his friend, who was wearing the abbot's disguise for the evening, pointed out.

The count nodded, inwardly aware that Emmanuel was right, then returned inside, heading for the back gardens at noticing Don Alejandro engaged in a discussion with some of his closest friends.

ZZZ

"You seem to find yourself alone," the count addressed Victoria as he found her strolling alone a while later.

She turned in surprise, again possessed by that same feeling of familiarity at hearing his voice. "Your Lordship," she uttered, "I am allowed here, am I not?"

He smiled at her. "It's Excellency, actually. Not Lordship. But I would rather you addressed me as Sebastian. And yes, I meant it when I said that my home belongs to my guests for the night, and the gardens are part of it."

She smiled at his words, then averted her eyes. "If you don't mind me asking… Don Sebastian… How come you decided to come to Los Angeles?" she asked as they started walking away from the house.

"I tell people it is because I needed some place quiet to enjoy life while, at the same time, protect my investments, which is, in fact, quite true. It is also, however, true that I am here because there are matters that require my attention in Los Angeles." He replied.

"Oh? What sort of matters?"

"The sort that should not occupy the heart or mind of someone as young and beautiful as yourself," he answered, glancing at her.

"I am not so young anymore," she replied. "I'm 22…"

He smiled but didn't say anything for a while. "Don Gilberto seems quite taken with you," he, eventually, uttered.

"How unfortunate for him that I don't share his feelings…" Victoria hurriedly replied, disdain clear in her voice.

"I see… Then, maybe, you will do me the honor of dining with me tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" she hesitated, though she had no idea why. Thouhgts of Diego and of Zorro came to the forefront of her mind and she suddenly felt like she was cheating on them both. "I'm afraid I am busy tomorrow, at the tavern..." she, thus, answered.

"That is quite a shame," he replied, without offering an alternative date.

"Si…" she said expectantly, as an inner voice pointed out that there was nothing wrong with hi suggestion. "But, perhaps, you would like to have dinner there. My treat. As a thank you for inviting me to this wonderful party." Victoria suggested.

He smiled and nodded his agreement. Then, as he glanced at her, they both felt the world around them disappear for a few moments.

"Perhaps we should return. Your other guests must be missing you," Victoria uttered when the intensity of his gaze frightened her.

Again the count nodded, and offered her his arm. She linked her hand to it and they started walking in the direction of the house, without saying anything else, just silently enjoying each-other's company.