Chapter 4
Toronado reared, disrupting the pistol's aim and the shot echoed through the area, startling the horses.
De Soto tossed the pistol to the ground and cried, "Lancers! After him!"
Hesitantly, the soldiers drew their swords and attacked the masked man while de Soto drew his own sword and placed it at Demetrio's throat. He pointed to the makeshift stall holding Fidel. "Saddle that horse, now. Or you will be one animal short at your next show."
Demetrio complied, working quickly to saddle and bridle Fidel for the enraged alcalde.
"Sir, she may not let you –"
"Silencio." De Soto sheathed his sword and pushed the performer out of the way. Fidel snorted and pawed at the ground in a show of annoyance. He wheeled the mare around just as Zorro knocked the last soldier to the ground and launched himself onto Toronado's back without benefit of the stirrups. De Soto noticed the black stallion gallop toward the plaza and he cried, "Shoot him! Kill that horse!"
Victoria rushed out of the tavern, along with the rest of her patrons, at the sound of the shots. They couldn't see anything in the darkness but the discharge of muskets until Victoria caught sight of the familiar black stallion rushing through the plaza.
Even more astonishing was a large, white horse keeping close on his heels. Victoria's eyes widened as she realized that de Soto was riding one of the performer's Andalusians; probably the only horse in the territory capable of catching the masked man.
"Oh no!" Victoria gasped. She covered her mouth with her palm and whispered, "Diego, be careful."
Don Alberto, who had been standing next to Victoria watching the chase, stared down at the young woman. Did she just say – ? He looked around to see if anyone else had heard her plea.
They watched silently as the one black and one white Andalusian stallion disappeared into the night.
As the excitement died down, Don Alberto turned to Victoria. He had to know. "Señorita?"
"I'm sorry," Victoria stammered, "I – I must go."
Don Alberto stared after her with narrowed eyes as she hurried into the tavern.
Toronado raced across the flat lands of the Los Angeles basin, grunting as his rider applied continual pressure to his flanks. Demetrio's white Andalusian galloped just behind the black stallion, keeping pace, much to Zorro's dismay.
Fortunately for Zorro, de Soto did not have a loaded pistol with which to shoot at the masked man, otherwise, the legendary fox would have met a swift, painful end.
The sun was beginning to set, casting shadows along the mountains and bathing the horses in an unearthly glow.
Fidel snorted angrily, tugging at the bridle and the bit that had been quickly inserted into her mouth.
De Soto dug his legs into Fidel's sides, urging a faster pace, and it appeared as if the white mare would overtake Toronado. Suddenly, the mare skipped a few steps, stumbled and then reared throwing de Soto to the ground. The alcalde struck the ground with a disturbingly loud thud, causing Zorro to pull Toronado up and turn him around.
Zorro leapt off Toronado and bent over de Soto's unconscious form, glancing up only once to see that Toronado had rounded Fidel and was nuzzling the mare's neck.
"Ignacio?" Zorro carefully rolled the alcalde onto his back and winced when he noticed the bloody gash across his head Zorro quickly unwrapped his sash he wrapped it securely around the alcalde's head to stem the bleeding.
"Lovely mess you've gotten us into now, Ignacio." Zorro scowled at the alcalde and stood, daring to approach the white mare.
Fidel flattened her ears at Zorro and reared. The masked man held his ground and after a few tense moments, the white mare allowed him to touch her nose. A few more minutes after that, she permitted him on her back.
Careful of de Soto's head injury, Zorro tied him to Toronado's back in such a way that his head would rest on the black stallion's neck.
Toronado snorted at the audacity and Zorro could only chuckle. "Ironic, isn't it, boy?" Zorro shook his head and trotted back toward the pueblo, realizing that it would take them far longer to get back than it did to get this far out.
Demetrio and Isabella were arguing with Mendoza in the middle of the plaza when Zorro trotted up on Fidel, Toronado next to him carrying the unconscious alcalde.
"Alcalde!" Mendoza's eyes widened and he hurried over to Toronado.
Victoria and the patrons filed out of the tavern and watched with wide eyes as Zorro dismounted Fidel and handed her reins back to Demetrio. "I've cooled her down as best I could but she will still need a thorough rubdown."
"Thank you, Señor Zorro." Isabella hugged him tightly, a grateful look in her deep brown eyes.
"What happened?" Mendoza asked, as two lancers approached Toronado.
"The mare here threw our esteemed alcalde and he hit his head." Zorro approached his stallion and grunted as he lifted de Soto from the seat.
Two lancers came forward and took him, half carrying, half dragging him into his office.
"I would fetch doctor Hernandez. I don't know how bad the head injury is," Zorro added, catching Victoria's eye as she and the rest of the tavern patrons drew closer.
"Oh, sí!" Mendoza gave the order and a lancer took off across the plaza to fetch a garrison horse.
"I must go." Zorro tipped his hat to Victoria but said nothing further. He mounted Toronado and galloped out of the plaza, leaving the people staring after him in silence.
Don Alberto watched the exchange carefully, not quite sure what to believe after hearing the señorita's desperate whisper.
"How is the alcalde doing?" Diego walked into the tavern the next day and immediately sought out Victoria.
Torn between annoyance at the man she loved and her eagerness to answer his question, she shot him a cold look that indicated he needed to follow her - now.
Diego took his juice and ducked behind the curtain, oblivious to the eyes watching him from across the tavern floor.
"What is it?" Diego asked, concerned at her mood.
"Not even a hello or a goodbye?" She slammed her carafe onto the table and glared at him.
Diego hesitated for a moment before sighing in understanding. He stepped toward her and slid his hands around her arms. Pulling her into her storeroom, he closed the door and turned to her. "And if Zorro continues to pay you special attention, how will we convince the pueblo that you have tired of waiting for the man?"
Victoria's rage evaporated instantly. She knew he was right but she still scowled at him. "I hate it when you're right. Please don't make it a habit."
Diego chuckled and gathered her into his arms. He dropped a quick kiss to her lips, which she deepened by wrapping her hands around his neck and drawing him closer.
"Ah, querida, we can't –"
She sighed heavily, leaned her head against his chest, and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Soon, Victoria," he soothed, sliding his hands into her hair and turning her pouting lips up to receive a long, probing kiss.
She clutched him tightly, inhaling his clean, musky scent. "It had better be very soon. We've waited long enough, don't you think?"
"Oh yes." Diego pressed a kiss into her hair. "We have."
After a few moments of silence, Diego asked, "So how is the alcalde?"
"He's still unconscious," Victoria admitted, rubbing her cheek against his chest.
Diego sighed. "I was afraid of that. Is there a prognosis?"
"Mendoza was in only very early this morning. He's been sitting with the alcalde since last night."
"I'll pay him a visit."
"I'll go with you, and bring some food for Mendoza. He's probably starving," Victoria decided and reluctantly left Diego's embrace to go prepare a tray.
The cool sea breeze ruffled their hair as Diego spread the blanket out on the sand and then went to retrieve their lunch from the saddlebags. After spreading the aromatic food on the blanket, he sat down next to Victoria and plucked a roll from the napkin.
Esperanza and Victoria's old mare stood off to one side, munching on some oats Diego had brought for them.
"You realize that I should be very angry with you for keeping this secret from me?" Victoria said, not looking up from where she buttered a piece of fresh bread.
"Why aren't you?" Diego asked, dripping honey on a fresh roll. It had been two days since the alcalde had been hurt and because of the brisk business the tavern had been experiencing due to the performers in town, they'd not been able to have so much as a few moments alone. Probably a good idea, Diego reflected with a hidden smile, after what happened the night she found out –
Victoria was silent for a moment before answering. "I guess I understand the need for secrecy. Even if I don't have to like it."
"Querida," Diego began and she instantly looked up and regarded him with a curious smile. Clearly it would take some getting used to hearing that word from Diego's lips and not Zorro's. "Ensuring that no one would be strung up with Zorro were he ever caught has been my top priority."
He gathered her in his arms and leaned against the rock, gazing out over the ocean. "Now that you know, we need to be even more careful."
"I am not afraid of dying for the man I love." The fire in Victoria's eyes proved to him that she was serious.
"That is too high a price for me, Victoria." Diego dropped a kiss to her hair and sighed. "You will need to be careful and think of us as two separate people. If anyone so much as suspects –"
"Well, Zorro and I are done, anyway," Victoria said matter of factly and Diego couldn't help but smile.
"We'll switch your affections as quickly as we possibly can." Diego tilted her head to press a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
"Yes, we will." Victoria closed her eyes and snuggled against him. As an afterthought, she chuckled.
"I think my father already suspects something is going on." Diego grinned. "At least judging by all of the fatherly advice he's begun giving me on courting."
Victoria chuckled knowingly. "I think I helped that impression along the other night. I dropped a few hints that probably gave him an idea that something was wrong with my relationship with Zorro."
"Oh? Well, it seems we are working toward a common goal without even knowing it. I've waited long enough to make you my wife." Diego's arms tightened around her as he gazed out at the rolling ocean waves.
"Yes, you have," Victoria said softly and he could feel her smile against his chest.
Ahh, Felipe," Alejandro walked into the library and smiled at the mute who stood quickly at his entrance, "where is Diego?"
Felipe smiled conspiratorially, set his book on the table, and signed slowly so that the older man could understand.
Alejandro raised a curious eyebrow. "He's having a picnic with – Victoria?"
Felipe nodded, a wide smile crossing his face.
Excellent! His son was actually taking his advice. "Well, well. We've had an interesting week, have we not?" Alejandro observed and Felipe nodded.
"But I absolutely must speak with Diego," He glanced down at his accounts ledger, frowning.
Seeing the worry in Felipe's eyes, Alejandro patted his shoulder. "Oh, worry not. I don't intend to scold him for daring to court Zorro's lady."
Felipe exhaled a huge sigh of relief to which Alejandro chuckled. "I would be more than happy to invite Victoria into this family." Alejandro shook his head with a small chuckle. "The first woman I've seen him show any interest in since his return from Spain and it's Victoria – he couldn't have picked a more challenging woman!" Alejandro exclaimed with a proud smile. The de la Vega men had never done anything the easy way.
Felipe held his arms together and rocked them as if holding a baby.
Alejandro laughed heartily. "I think everyone in the territory knows I want grandchildren!"
Felipe signed slowly, the smile never leaving his face.
"Give Diego and Victoria a chance?" Alejandro repeated what he thought the mute had signed. "They may surprise me?" Alejandro's eyes narrowed and he regarded Felipe with a stern stare. "What do you know, young man, that you're not telling me?"
Felipe smiled widely and held out his arms. He shook his head and Alejandro frowned.
"It's all right. That's just another admission I'll need to drag out of Diego when he returns from his picnic." Alejandro turned around and walked toward his office.
Felipe simply smiled, resumed his seat and continued his book.
Another week passed and Diego and Victoria were seen more and more together. Rumors began to run rampant that the young señorita had discussed marriage with Zorro and he'd informed her that he could not give her what she wanted – a full time, devoted husband and children.
It was not at all surprising that she'd turned to her childhood friend Diego for comfort and companionship. Though some more skeptical caballeros contained their ire at the tavern owner's audacity. To think she could marry higher than her station was a recent practice begun here in the colonies. If they lived in Spain, not only would Victoria be shunned, Diego would as well, for even considering marriage to one such as Victoria.
The peasants and those of lower station were encouraged by the apparent growing affection between the two friends. It gave them hope that someday the strict class differences wouldn't matter so much as the love one had for another.
Don Alberto had watched the interaction between Diego and Victoria with intense interest and his friends simply assumed the possible marriage between two distinct classes the reason that he was so fascinated with the two.
Only Don Alberto would ever know the real reason for his curiosity. He would not betray their secret.
A few days later, de Soto woke from his coma and a tension that had been lifted temporarily by his injury had returned.
"The alcalde has been quite mellow since he woke," Diego said as he and Victoria walked arm in arm in the de la Vega garden.
"He's probably not regained all of his memory yet, then," Victoria shot back with an amused grin. "It's only been a little over a week."
"Victoria –"
"I know. I'm sorry." Victoria sighed heavily. She knew it hadn't been the nicest comment, but that man had rarely been kind to anyone in his life! "I don't normally wish harm on anyone."
"I know. You're the most kindhearted person I know." Diego turned and gathered her in his arms. "That's one of the reasons I love you so deeply."
They stood for several silent moments relishing the privacy of the garden. "I wish Demetrio and his wonderful troupe didn't have to leave," she said suddenly.
"Well, they've performed every evening for the last week," Diego answered with a smile, knowing that she was just as enraptured by their talent and the beauty of the horses as he. "Of course, they brought an astonishing amount of business to the tavern, so I can see why you'd not want them to leave," Diego winked and Victoria glanced up at him.
"Diego!" She tried to look properly horrified. "That's not the main reason, no!" She waited a few moments, waiting for Diego to stop chuckling. "All right, so the business generated in the last week by them alone has been nearly enough to pay the mortgage on the tavern two times over….but I'll miss those beautiful stallions!" She grinned coyly up at him. "They're a rival for even Toronado's beauty, wouldn't you say?"
Before he could answer, they could hear Alejandro's voice carry into the garden. "Diego!"
The couple drew apart quickly as Alejandro rounded the corner a look of amazed shock on his face. "Ah, Victoria, good afternoon!" He hadn't known she was at the hacienda but shouldn't have been surprised. She'd been spending a lot of time at the hacienda in the last week. It gave him increased hope. "I'm glad you're here! Something was just, er – delivered for you!" Alejandro smiled at the young lady and then glanced at his son. "And for me! Come look at this!"
Victoria exchanged a confused look with Diego who simply smiled and extended his hand for her to precede him out of the garden.
When they rounded the corner, Demetrio stood holding the lead of a startlingly white-coated Andalusian mare. Her foal suckled hungrily from her, oblivious to the growing crowd that surrounded them.
Victoria's eyes widened at the sight but Diego simply smiled.
"Demetrio, here, flat out refused to let me purchase one of these magnificent animals." Alejandro glanced at his son and then back at the 'gifts'. "And now I find that someone negotiated a sale for two of them!" He glanced pointedly at his son.
Diego exchanged a knowing look with Demetrio but simply said, "Indeed. I wonder who that could have been?" A small smile tugged at his lips as Victoria gawked at the mare and foal.
Isaballa stepped forward and offered a letter to Victoria, which she took with a confused glance toward Diego.
"Open it," Diego urged, exchanging a small smile with his father. His father held a similar letter.
Victoria slid her fingers beneath the sealed envelope and took the papers out, brow furrowing as she read the very detailed writing.
"Stud papers," Diego confirmed.
"The man who purchased her for you wanted me to deliver a simple message, Señorita."
Victoria blinked, unable to conceive that anyone would spend so much money on her. After a moment, she found her voice. "What – what is the message?"
"He said only, for the most beautiful woman in the territory. Consider this an early wedding gift." Isabella stepped back and laced her arm through her husband's.
Victoria gasped and glanced up at the man standing beside her who simply smiled at her with an unreadable expression.
Demetrio and Isabella said their farewells, eager to return to their travels, and hoping to get out of the territory before the alcalde regained all of his memory. They didn't want to take the chance of being blamed for his injury and so were leaving a bit earlier than they'd planned.
Alejandro watched Diego and Victoria carefully, seeing with newfound knowledge all of the looks, all of the gestures that had gone unnoticed for so many years. He looked at the note that Diego held and smiled at his son.
"I'm sure you already know what this says." Alejandro said softly, "there's no need to read it again."
Diego regarded his father with his most bland expression and Alejandro rolled his eyes. He placed his hand on Diego's arm and smiled proudly. "You can't mask your own handwriting from me as well as you've been able to mask your face, my Son."
A knowing grin passed across Diego's face as the three moved toward the relative privacy of the garden. Such a prosperous ranch had servants and vaqueros wandering around at all times and the discussion to follow was one that would be best if not overheard.
Vaqueros arrived to take the newly arrived horses to the barn and the group moved toward the garden.
Suddenly, Victoria turned a worried face toward the man she loved. "Diego, what are you going to tell the alcalde? The doctor said he will probably regain his memories and if he remembers that Zorro was going to give these horses as a gift –"
"Zorro has already taken care of that little loophole," Diego grinned, squeezing her hand tightly where it rested on his arm. "There is a note on the alcalde's desk explaining that Zorro was merely acting as intermediary to persuade Demetrio to sell to my father. If he wants to look at our financial records of the sale, he is free to do so."
Alejandro's eyebrow raised at this and he gazed at his son with interest. "And just how did Zorro convince him to sell when I couldn't?"
Diego grinned. "He threw in something they couldn't refuse."
Alejandro waited expectantly but it was Victoria who grew impatient quickly enough to ask, "Well? Just what did he throw in?"
The two men could detect the hint of jealousy in her voice at the thought of Zorro just throwing in something they could not refuse, and Diego quickly moved to assure his love. "Stud service from Toronado."
Alejandro's jaw fell open. "But Toronado has no papers; he's certainly a magnificent animal, but without proof of his breeding –"
"When I found him, he was protecting a foal in one of our pastures," Diego began, offering a warm smile to Victoria before continuing. "The foal bore the de la Vega brand and as I examined Toronado closer there were marks along his hocks and the base of his tale reminiscent of the colt 'Fuego', who disappeared after I'd left for Spain."
Alejandro remembered that colt well. He had planned for the stallion to be a gift for his son upon his graduation and return from Madrid.
"Zorro – er, borrowed the certificate of registry from your safe . . ."
Alejandro looked astonished, then smiled broadly. "In that case, I've a few mares of my own who would like to meet Toronado."
Diego laughed and nodded, wrapping his arm around Victoria's waist, "Of course father. Far be it for me to deny such blending of the royal Andalusian bloodlines."
Alejandro grinned and was about to reply when he noticed his son's eyes resting on the young woman leaning on his arm. Alejandro wisely decided to leave them alone but as he walked toward the barn to examine his new purchase, he chuckled to himself. It looked like he needed to press for a wedding as soon as possible, or Diego might follow in his stallion's footsteps and start providing stud service of his own.
He had no doubt that by the time Toronado's foals were grazing in his pastures, there might be a new de la Vega in his home as well! The pleasant thought hastened his steps all the way to the barn and interrupted his slumber when he finally crawled into bed.
Not once did Alejandro wonder where Diego and Victoria had gotten off to, though he should have made more of an effort to pay attention to his children's whereabouts. The thought would nag at him relentlessly when that new addition to the hacienda arrived sooner than any of them had planned.
THE END
Note # 2: For the delicate sensibilities of some of the readers, certain scenes have been left out of this story. You will find this story in its entirety on my site. Additional scenes appear in Chapters 3 and 4.
Thethirdtroll – of course I like to make the readers suffer. Oh, I wish they'd take all those old stories off the de la Vega library site. I'm in the process of re-writing all of them. The updated versions, as well as all my new stuff, can be found here at this site and on my web site.
My LOTR muse is in hiding at the moment. Zorro has chased her away.
Yes, I know about the movie coming out in Oct. Hopefully, it'll bring more Zorro fans out into the fold and more people will start writing!
Alliana701 – I'm glad you're still liking the story. Hopefully, you'll like the others as well. There's been some good stuff posted on this site. I've got a bunch of the ones that I like in my favorites so check those out for some good reading! It is always fun to weed out the stuff you like from the stuff you don't . . . look at it as a challenge:)
As for that one . . . thing….that Victoria asks Diego about, yes, it was done on purpose. There are scenes left out of this story as it appears on which you will find replaced on my site.
BeccaRamsey -I'm glad you're liking the story. Hopefully, you'll enjoy this last chapter as well. I'm glad you think I'm able to keep them all in character. That's just about the most important part of a story to me. If I can't see the characters saying something, I'm pulled right out of the story. It doesn't always work for me, but I'm glad you think I've managed to keep people in character!
I love writing cliffhangers, but I do hate to read them . . . so I know how frustrating it must be for people.