Around the same time Alicia was recounting for the abbot the previously-mentioned events, Don Alejandro, who was supervising the builders, was interrupted from his work by a servant, who informed him that Señor de Amo had just arrived together with a newcomer, and had been asking for him.
Curious, the elderly man thanked the servant and headed for the front courtyard, where the lawyer he knew well awaited for him together with a man who, despite his young skin, looked to be a little over 40 years in age. His hair was almost as grey as the elderly haciendado's, and he wore a thick moustache reaching his sideburns. "Señor de Amo," he greeted politely.
"Don Alejandro," the lawyer greeted back with a slight nod. "Allow me to introduce you to Señor Montoya, the count's mayordomo. He arrived this morning. Señor Montoya, Don Alejandro de la Vega is the former owner of this hacienda and currently its manager," the lawyer said, seeming almost intimidated by the new arrival.
"Welcome, Señor!" Don Alejandro said politely, extending his hand to shake the newcomer's.
"I will leave you to it. I'll go see about the transport." Señor de Amo said as he politely withdrew. His carriage left just moments later, heading west.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Don Alejandro," the mayordomo replied, bowing slightly, after nodding at the lawyer as he left. "I arrived early to make sure everything is done to my master's taste. My orders are to select the furniture, decorations, handle the gardens, and run a few errands for His Excellency."
"I see… Well, in that case, please, Señor, do come in! I will show you the house and then we can go over the construction being done."
"That would be most appreciated, Don Alejandro," he replied, following the old don inside.
"This is the library, as you can well see," the caballero said as he entered the house, the newcomer following him. "We had to cover everything to protect from the dust, but I think you can get a fair idea… On the left, there was the dining room, which is currently being enlarged, as per Señor de Amo's request, to also serve as a ballroom. And here are the stairs leading to the upper floor," he said, pointing towards a spot right near the library from where a large staircase spiraled up.
"It's a good-sized library. My master will appreciate it seeing how reading is one of his favorite pastimes." Rafael mentioned at stopping by the half-covered room.
"My son loved this library," the elderly don uttered without even realizing it.
In a way, no matter how many times he had said it, it had not yet truly dawned on him that the house was no longer his, nor that his son was never to step foot in it again. At least, not until that moment.
The newcomer said nothing for a while, just contented himself with observing the grief so clear on the old man's face. "The staircase is quite exquisite," he, eventually remarked. "I commend you on finding such good carpenters as to sculpt this," he added, his hand tracing the contours of the leafy engravings decorating the stairwell.
Don Alejandro nodded his gratitude for the newcomer's words, then continued to show him the house, heading towards the living quarters.
The newcomer studied the rooms one by one. "Most of these will make perfect guest rooms after the count arrives," he remarked as he entered a rather large room and looked around. "Who's staying here, if I may ask?" he then inquired, noticing the personal items displayed there, and inwardly fearing he was inspecting the haciendado's own quarters at that very moment.
"This… This room used to be my son's," Don Alejandro said from the doorway, not daring to go inside.
Rafael turned towards the don and noticed he had tears in his eyes. "In that case, I will make sure it remains as is," he assured him.
"No need, Señor… My son is dead. He's not coming back. I just… I can't bring myself to…"
"I understand… Nonetheless, I will have it locked up for now. Nobody will touch it, Señor, until you are good and ready."
"And if the count needs it for his guests?"
"There are many other rooms to use from what I just saw. Besides, we can deal with that issue after he arrives." The man said kindly. "Now, I have also been tasked with ensuring additional housing premises for the servants. There are over sixty people in the Count's employment. Only the household shall remain in the main house, of course. The most trusted servants and those assigned to guard the premises. The rest will be assigned to the additional quarters to be built by enlarging the current premises you have built for your own servants."
"My father built them, actually. But to enlarge them so that they may accommodate at least 60 more people, giving them also the chance to have their families living with them… it will require far more workers than I've been able to find."
"Workers are not a problem, Don Alejandro, you need no longer worry about that. I came accompanied by forty of the Count's men and they will be more than able to build the houses as per the Count's specifications, as well as finish work on the gardens, and do whatever other work is needed. Now, if you don't mind, would you be so kind as to show me the gardens?"
"There are only two rather small yards at present. Water is a problem here during the summer months, I'm afraid. As are floods in spring and autumn."
"Yes… I do believe my master mentioned having found out something like that. I believe he is considering addressing those issues by having a dam built, as well as an irrigation system for the gardens. Of course, another solution for the watering would be the desalination of seawater. There's certainly plenty of that not far from here. Whatever His Lordship will decide, however, I am certain water will not be a problem."
Don Alejandro nodded quite impressed, then exited to notice that a large caravan was about to arrive at the hacienda. About thirty wagons loaded with furniture, various coffers and plants – some of which he had never before seen in his entire life – were making their way towards the hacienda.
The don remained there just staring for a few moments.
Rafael noticed his glance and smiled. "The count enjoys his gardens. Those plants, including some of the trees, come, for the most part, from South America, Cape Vert, and the Bahamas, though a few are originating in the most arid regions of Africa. They need less water than other plants..."
"And you think they will survive in this area?"
"The strong ones will. Besides, if they survived the voyage, I am confident they can thrive here if properly cared for."
The haciendado nodded rather mechanically. "May I ask…" he said, "what is the source of the count's fortune? By the looks of it, it can even rival the Spanish king's."
"That is not far from the truth," the man answered, "especially seeing how my master gave the king, not so long ago, a large sum of money he needed to rebuild Spain. As for the source of his wealth, well… he neither stole nor exploited anyone to get it, if that's what concerns you."
"No… I…" the don stuttered a little. "If I may… Why would such a man come here?"
"In reward for his generosity, the king gave him a rather large land grant just north of your lands, and he decided the time has come for him to simply live his life. He says he has enough money. He's still young, and he wants to dedicate himself to his passions."
"So he's set on staying…"
"Indeed, he is, Señor."
The don nodded with a sad smile.
"Don Alejandro," Rafael uttered, "I do hope you intend to remain here after the count's arrival. He has few peers as is, and knows no one in California. From what I was given to understand, your presence might alleviate some of his loneliness, and, what I don't know you yet, you do strike me as the kind of man who would not try to take advantage of another, no matter how generous he might be… Not to mention you could introduce him to your friends, and continue managing the hacienda while he dedicates himself to his own pursuits."
"You think he'll want me to stay?"
"I am rather certain of that."
The haciendado nodded. "In that case, after meeting him, I will consider it, Señor Montoya."
"Very well, Don Alejandro. Now, if you'll excuse me, I had promised a fellow passenger on the ship I arrived on this morning that I would visit him a while later. Please be so kind as to have my things taken to the room next to the one meant for my master and instruct the servants to arrange for a meal and temporary quarters for the count's men. I will return in about two hours." Saying that Rafael nodded his goodbye, and headed for the stables where he had one of the servants saddled him a horse. Then, mounting, he headed north.
The don watched him leave, then sighed at noticing that the first wagons with the count's things were already nearing their destination.