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The Promise by
Gail Manfre
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CHAPTER 19 REPUTATIONS RESTORED “Madre
de Dios! For a minute I believed that Capitán Glorioso was going to invite himself to luncheon
and supper!” Don Alejandro fumed as she opened a hidden door behind a
splendid medieval tapestry. “But your bogus fainting spell was a most
skillful maneuver, Señorita. I imagine you are a formidable chess
player!” “Gracias, Don Alejandro, but I was most upset at
seeing that mask. I thought I had been more careful in removing any
evidence that the Fox had been in the Rica Luna Cave.“ Selena sighed.
“Despite or rather, I should say because of Glorioso’s assurances to
the contrary, I do not think my acting was completely convincing.” “Señorita, I pray you are wrong.“ Don Alejandro
held a large lantern for Selena so she could navigate the hacienda’s
concealed passageways. Suddenly he noticed a light coming towards them.
“By the Three Marias! Who could ...” Selena de Rojas stepped forward and called out
“C’est vous, mon amie? Repondez-moi vite!” They both heard a voice singing the first eight bars of
the French national anthem La Marseillaise. The señorita answered with
her coded response “la belette est parti!” [The ferret has
departed.] Amontildar called out "Mistress Selena, it is I.
Bernardo and I have been with Don Diego since he insisted upon leaving
de bed because Le Monsieur knew de commandante would come to search the hacienda.
I went to see how Monsieur Diego be fairing while both of you be
entertainin’ de capitaine and discovered him just outside the bedroom
door. We just now tryin’ to get him to lie down,” Amontildar stated.
Selena‘s maid lowered her gaze. “Mistress, me, I brought Bernardo
avec moi because I knew le monsieur would give me de trouble, yes.
Amontildar shook her head. “Mais, chere, le monsieur Diego, he be some
entête [stubborn]! But he not strong enough to walk at all!” “Diego!” Selena whispered. “Thank le Bon
Dieu both Amontildar and Bernardo were with him... “Trés bien, chere. Amontildar you have done
well.’’ Selena then instructed Amontildar to hold one of the
lanterns while Don Alejandro and Diego’s mozo carefully
supported ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Don Alejandro sat down next to Diego's bed. "Diego,
my son, I am so happy you are alive and are safe in the De Rojas hacienda.
Thank all the Saints!" the hacendado whispered. He
desperately wanted to tell Diego that he knew all about his nocturnal
activities as the Fox. No, this must be Diego’s decision, not mine.
Bethia, I hope I can be patient enough to wait for our child to reveal
his secret to me. Don Alejandro relaxed in his chair and watched his
son resting. When he was certain that Diego was fast asleep, he drew the
blanket over his son's chest and kissed him gently on the forehead.
Bernardo was waiting outside the secret bedroom door when Don Alejandro
emerged. The hacendado checked the corridor to make sure they
were alone. “Please stay with Diego until he reawakens. Did you bring
several changes of clothes with you?” Diego’s mozo nodded vigorously as he waved his
hands I have everything my master needs. Bernardo smiled warmly
at Diego’s father. “Bueno. First, show me the way back to the sala. Señorita
de Rojas and I have much to discuss,” Don Alejandro ordered. Bernardo did so and as the hidden door slid open in the sala’s
wall, Selena rose from the piano to greet Don Alejandro. She saw the
grim set of his jaw and despair gripped her soul. Ah, here comes
another fatherly lecture on the proper behavior of unattached females in
our society. I have heard this so often I could recite Don Alejandro’s
speech for him! Selena kept her head bowed as Don Alejandro motioned
for her to sit. “We must have a little talk, my dear. There are two
things I think you should know Selena,” he said solemnly as he paced
the sala’s floor directly in front of her. “And they are Don Alejandro?” Selena became even
more alarmed at the gravity that had seeped into his voice and the frown
that had now replaced his handsome smile. “You should realize that someone will
doubtlessly gossip about Diego’s stay under your roof. Everyone
gossips and, everyone, including myself, listens to it.“ Don Alejandro
gently touched her arm. “Listen to reason, Señorita! I remember
hearing and, I regret to admit, repeating, some scurrilous gossip
regarding your ... unsuitability for marriage, and even more ... very
unpleasant rumors, ” the elder de la Vega said softly. She laughed until tears fell down her cheeks.
“’Unpleasant’ rumors Don Alejandro? Why I am known as the
‘Medusa of Los Angeles!’ I have heard everything about me, Don
Alejandro, everything,” she added with a trace of acrimony. Señorita,” he warned as he frowned at her. “Have a
care. My utmost concern is that the de la Vega name not be besmirched by
any hint of scandal. But, I am not a harsh man, Selena. I believe
that Diego should announce your engagement to him as soon as possible. Selena froze. “Don Alejandro it is my understanding
that Diego ...” she began to say. “My child, I have seen the way that you look at my son
since your late father introduced you to him and, the tenderness you
have shown Diego to return him to health.”
Her heart leapt for joy. Señora de la Vega. What
woman would reject such a wonderful man as he? Then she scolded
herself. YOU DID, you foolish twit, more than a fortnight ago! How
many women are given a second chance at happiness? You know in your
heart Don Alejandro is right. As for Diego, the fire I noticed in his
eyes - could it be love? “Yes, I have loved your son for a long time. If Diego
will have me, Don Alejandro. You know as well as I Diego will not enter
a loveless betrothal. I repeat, I will accept his proposal only if he
truly loves me.” Don Alejandro embraced her. “I am sure that love
conquers all.” “Excuse me ... Alejandro ... but what was your second
matter you wished to discuss? Was it concerning El Zorro ... and
Diego...?” “Selena, I now know as well as you do that Diego is El
Zorro. But I am not going to disclose this knowledge to him. If he
wishes to reveal his alter ego to
me, so be it. The decision must be his and his alone.” Selena was unable to hide her shock. “But, Don
Alejandro! Do you realize how much Diego has suffered, with you
believing him to be a coward?” Don Alejandro suddenly appeared to age greatly before
her. “Si. I have completely misjudged him. But Diego, like every man,
has his pride Selena.” “Very well, I shall respect your decision. But I am so
frightened for him, Don Alejandro! The commandante is so ... evil; so
sadistic! I fear...” Selena shivered at the horrible idea of Diego in
Glorioso’s custody. She gazed up at her father-in-law to be. ”’Tis
ironic is it not, Don Alejandro, that my father is finally getting his
wish. Diego will be my husband and this bride to be has a lot to learn
about men.” Her future father-in-law grinned. “My dear, men and women have been trying to understand each other since the Creation. That is part of the frustration and fun of loving someone of the opposite sex.” Don Alejandro responded gaily as he winked at Selena. ZZZZZZZZZZZ Several days later when Diego awakened, he did not know
whether it was day or night. His mind was finally beginning to clear as
Diego remembered Selena brought him to her hacienda from the Rica Luna
Cave after a lancer shot him in the head. Dios, mi! Now she knows I
am El Zorro. ...and he also remembered Glorioso had been here looking
for the Fox. Must speak with her again regarding the commandante. By St.
Teresa, I am ravenous. As he turned his head he saw Bernardo was
grinning at him. “Bernardo!” Diego joyfully exclaimed. “I am very glad
to see you! Dios, my friend, I am in dire need of a bath and a shave.” His mozo grimaced. My master, I would have to
agree. Hot water is on its way as we speak. And fresh clothing. And I
will have to do something about your hair!” Together they laughed
until they both were close to tears. Just after Diego’s bath as
Bernardo was helping him change into his calzoneros, they heard a
knock on the door. Diego retrieved his silk robe from Bernardo’s
outstretched arm. “Entrez, I am awake!” Diego called out. His hazel
eyes brightened with joy when he saw it was Señorita de Rojas.
“Buenos dias, señorita. I wish to thank you for your kind
hospitality, and,” he added nonchalantly, “your guest is
famished!“ Diego reached out to lift the linen napkin covering the
tray she held in her hands. “May a guest have some of that delicious
food that I smell on the tray carried by the lady of this hacienda?”
he inquired in his most charming voice. “You may indeed. For breakfast, I like to eat huevos
rancheros or Creole grillades. I also prefer hot chocolate or
café au lait to drink. I did not know your preferences in cuisine, so I
brought a little of everything,” Selena stated quietly. Diego yawned before responding. “Cafe au lait...ah
yes, I remember I had some while I was enrolled at University in Spain.
It is strong, ah.. chicory coffee with hot milk.” Correct, Señor. Amontildar has also made some
plantain fritters for you as a special treat.” “Plantain fritters? Do you grow plantains in
your garden, señorita?” Diego asked. “Si , and I have actually been known to get my hands
dirty doing some of the gardening myself, Señor de la Vega,” Selena
responded with a trace of humor. “Ay Yi Yi! Touché! I will have to leave your home before
I become as large as Sergeant Garcia,” he said as their eyes joined
and they both erupted into laughter. Then his expression became unreadable as he murmured
“Tell me, what other charms do you possess that I have yet to
discover?” Before Selena could turn her head to answer, Diego reached
out with his muscular arms and pulled her into a tight embrace. His lips
crushed hers, robbing her of breath but she was beyond caring.
Selena’s feminine instincts took over and she responded to his deep
kiss. “Mi corazon ...” he whispered into her ear as Diego
unfastened her hair clasps and was rewarded with a cascade of thick,
dark and curly hair falling onto his chest. “Marry me Selena.” He
had elevated her chin up to meet his eyes, and she was unable to move,
but Selena was sure that she did not ever want to leave his embrace
again. “Y-yes, Diego,” she muttered haltingly. Diego was confused by the hesitancy in her answer and he
felt that he had to ask Selena the one question that he had sworn to
himself was necessary for his marital happiness. “Be honest with me Selena. “Is it El Zorro you love
or the man behind the mask that you are willing to marry?” “I love you, Diego. When you kissed me as the
Fox my mind was so confused because when I gazed into his eyes they were
the eyes of Diego de la Vega! Y-you realized that when El Zorro ... you
were in my bedroom, I would have, most willingly, what I mean is
...” she blushed and Diego grinned knowingly. “You have never been with a man before, I understand,
Selena.” A sudden thought struck him. “Selena, surely you are not afraid
of me?” She exhaled finally. “Yes, I am. I am afraid that you
will think that I am ignorant or--worse.” Diego molded her body against his chest. “No, Selena.
I would never, ever willingly hurt you! Do you believe me?” His eyes
burned both with worry and desire. “Si!” Selena exclaimemd as her gray eyes smouldered
with love. He groaned, “Before I regret or do not regret the loss
of control, leave me to eat.” Diego flashed one of his solar bright
smiles at her. “Gracias again, m’il lady. What time is it?” “Eight o’clock, I think. Your father, of course, is
staying until tomorrow morning. We will be joining him for luncheon
later this afternoon at twelve-thirty. Until then Diego.” Her handsome hidalgo winked at Selena and her
skin turned crimson. When she returned to her room she had to splash
cold water on her face. Amontildar came to her bedroom a little while
after she had bathed to pour musk oil on her bare shoulders and massaged
her back. “My mistress will marry de tall handsome gentilhomme
n’est-ce pas?” Her maid already knew the answer but Amontildar
wanted to hear the lovely news from her mistress’s own lips. Selena’s entire being glowed. “Oui, mam’selle, he
has asked me to be his bride. Il est tres brave et il a un bon coeur.”
[He has a kind heart and is very courageous.] Amontildar pushed up the sleeves of her long puffed
cotton overblouse and put her light brown colored hands on her
formidable hips. “Dis octaroon lady believe dat Mistress Selena
be making a good choice, dat is what Amontildar be thinkin’!” END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN |