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WARNING: Some scenes contain explicit sexual content and are not
appropriate for children.
(Earlier that morning)
Mariana listened quietly to the sounds of laughter echoing from within the cave. Tiger and Dona Elena seemed to be enjoying their sword practice, she thought. It did her soul good to hear the sounds of his carefree laugh tumbling so joyously in the darkened cave. He laughed and smiled so seldom, she mused sadly. Now I know why. And he never would have told me. She sighed ruefully. No one tells me anything. They treat me as if I was still a child. Even Tiger's nickname for me, Sparrow. Like some stupid flighty bird. If I did not eavesdrop every now and then I would never learn anything about life. Ah, she thought contritely, the good Padre will be hearing my confession with much sadness today.
But last night's revelation had actually been accidental. She had stopped in the gardens to catch a breath of fresh air. When she heard Dona Elena and Tiger's words, she froze in place. Her heart ached for the poor frightened boy and sorrowed for the tormented young man. If it were possible, she loved him even more knowing what he had gone through.
Suddenly, the clash of swords and laughter stopped. She could hear the staccato sounds of Tiger's boot heels coming closer to the mouth of the cave where she was hidden. Too late! She would have to wait until he left before she could return to the hacienda.
Tiger's lean form passed from the shadows of the cave to the sunlight glowing beyond the waterfall. He stood for a moment, the sweat from his earlier exertion gleaming on his torso and arms. His back was to her; she could admire him at her leisure. Abruptly, he dropped to the ground and pulled off his boots. With one movement, he stripped off his trousers and underwear. Even his firmly muscled flanks had scars on them, she mourned, his masculine beauty marred by the faint ridges that crisscrossed the flesh. She had a most unmaidenly urge to kiss each scar.
Taking a running go, Tiger dove into the water of the hidden pool, his arms cleaving the water cleanly. She watched for a while, smiling as he leaped and played in the warm water. As if the devil spoke in her ear, she silently crept over to where his boots and trousers lay and gathered them up in her arms. Quietly, she returned to the safety of her hidden niche, waiting to see what he would do.
Tiger felt free. With the sharing of his past with Dona Elena, he had made one more step on the road to healing. Perhaps one day, he would be worthy of the love that Elena and Alejandro had given to him. Perhaps one day he could tell Mariana... no, he shook his head sadly. He would never be worthy of her. She deserved someone whose hands were not covered in blood as his were. His little sparrow so sweet and innocent, so soft. He sighed. He was a bastard -- he wanted to claim that innocence for his own. When he thought of her lately, his thoughts were definitely not pure. She had grown up this past year into a woman of quiet beauty. Ah well, time to return to the hacienda. He swam back to where he had left his clothes and they were nowhere to be seen!
"What the hell!?" He stood there, dripping wet, completely at a loss.
Mariana stepped boldly from her hiding place. "Were you, perhaps, looking for these?" She held up his boots and clothes in her hands.
"Mariana! What do you think you are doing? Give me back my clothes!" He reached out to grab them from her, but she stepped quickly back out his reach.
"What am I doing? I am trying to get your attention," she retorted.
"Well, you have it. Now give me back my trousers!" Tiger made another grab.
"No! I don't have your attention. What do you see when you look at me? A little girl. An insignificant brown sparrow. Well, I am not a little girl, nor am I a poor little bird. I am a woman, with a woman's needs and desires. And I need and desire you, Tiger." Mariana threw his clothes at his feet, her breasts heaving in agitation. Horrified at the feelings she had revealed to him, she turned and started to run from his shocked eyes.
Tiger carelessly pulled up his pants, not bothering to button them up and ran after Mariana. He grabbed her hand and pulled her struggling body into his arms. "Shh. Calme, mi angel. I am not angry with you. Hush, little bird", he crooned. Mariana sagged against him. If he was going to scold her, at least he was also holding her in his arms.
"Oh, mi angel, you are so wrong about me. You think I do not see your beauty? You think I do not desire you? I would kill to have you for my own. But I don't deserve your love. You have no idea how much blood stains my soul." Sadly, tenderly, he kissed her forehead.
"But Tiger, I know everything. I heard you and Dona Elena last night in the garden. I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I could not leave. Oh, mi corazon, I love you even more, knowing what you have gone through. I would be so proud to have your love. I long to have you take me in your arms and make me your woman. I was ready to beg you just now. Please, can you not find it in your heart to love me, just a little?"
Her hand reached up and touched his face. He clasped it tightly in his and brought it to his lips. Gently, he kissed her fingers. Then he opened her lightly furled fist and kissed her palm. When he felt her shudder of desire, he boldly tongued that spot he had just kissed. She leaned into him even closer. He could feel her breasts pressing against his chest.
"Oh, Mariana, I love you more than just a little," he murmured. "If only it was possible..."
"Mi amor, when there is love, the possibilities are endless." Rising up on tiptoe, she brushed her lips across his. When she felt his trembling, she became more adventurous. She let her fingers trail down his smooth, muscled arms. Slowly, she brought them up his chest, exploring the masculine planes and valleys. Her lips followed the lead of her fingers. He had left the buttons of his trouser flap undone; now she took advantage of his haste. With a courage she didn't know she possessed, she thrust her hand beneath the cloth and caressed his arousal.
When she would have left him, he grabbed her hand and muttered hoarsely, "Stay."
His breathing became more agitated as he felt her small, smooth fingers work their innocent magic. Mariana, he thought to himself, can she possibly know what she is doing to me? All at once, he felt the warm brush of the air on his unfettered flesh. His pants were down below his knees and Mariana's mouth was lightly kissing him. He stepped out of the pants completely, standing in the sunlight like some ancient Aztec god. Firmly, he pushed Mariana's lips from his body.
"Por favor, mi angel, I need to see you."
Not knowing what he meant, Mariana quickly stood up.
"Your clothes, little bird. For the love of God, take them off."
Her fingers feeling clumsy, she loosened the ties of her blouse, which fell to her waist. Unlike the wealthy, fashionable women, she wore no corset. Only a thin camisole shielded her from his avid gaze. Fumbling, she tried to undo the bow lacing the camisole. Helplessly, she let her fingers drop, and mutely, implored his help.
Tiger's hands, though more dexterous than hers, also trembled. Finally the bow was untied. Sinuously, his hands drew the sleeves down her arms, then returned to cup the small, soft breasts. They were tipped with buds like ripened cherries. He knew he had to taste her or die. He bent his head and captured one tight little morsel in his mouth. Greedily, he suckled it. In the back of his mind, he could hear her low moans of pleasure. He increased the tempo of his lips, wanting to hear those moans grow louder. His hand went to her waist. Her skirt was buttoned in the back. He used this to his advantage and encircled her in his embrace. One moment later, she stood half-naked in his arms. The next, she was gloriously nude.
"You are so beautiful, mi angel," he whispered.
Shyly her arms crept around him. Her eyes were downcast but for the life of her, she couldn't keep them closed against the sight of his arousal. She brought her head up and looked into his eyes that were filled with love. For her, the little sparrow.
"As much as it would pain me, I will stop now, Mariana. All we have done so far is played a bit. You are still as pure and innocent ..."
"No. I lost my innocence the first time I dreamed of you taking me and making me yours. I have loved you from the first day you came to the hacienda. My soul called out to yours. Finally, you have heard me. In the eyes of God, I am your wife. Tiger, mi amor, make me yours ...now."
With an oath and a prayer, he lowered her down to the pile of clothing that lay on the soft sand surrounding the pool. With his mouth and hands he worshipped the body that was offered to him so trustingly. He knew that she would feel some pain and slowly, using all his skill, he brought her to the point where she was like liquid flame in his hands. He entered her swiftly, kissing away the tears that fell from her eyes, murmuring endearments and smoothing the damp ebony curls that clung to her forehead. He rested for a moment, letting her get accustomed to his weight. Then once more, he drove into her, this time bringing her with him as his soul reached toward paradise.
"Tiger, now we are truly one. We can be together forever now. Shall I move my clothes into your..."
"No!" His strident voice cut her dreams into ribbons.
"Until Alejandro does not need me, my life is not my own." His voice dripped with self-recrimination and disgust. "I should never have given into my base desires. I should never have taken your innocence when I have no name to give you in return."
He gathered up her clothes and thrust them at her. "Get dressed. I will wait for a while before I return to the hacienda. No one will know that we were together."
Still in shock, Mariana put on her clothes, leaving her hair streaming down her back. As he watched her move away from him, Tiger stared at that ebony ribbon, committing to memory her sweet, soft form, her tender mouth, her small, tender hands and the sound of her voice as he took them on their brief trip to Heaven. He could only pray that in his eagerness to possess her, he had not saddled her with a child.
As Mariana ran from him, her eyes blinded with tears, she mourned for the love that he would not accept. Oh, my Tiger, she thought, donít you know it is already too late? No matter what you say or do, I am yours in my heart and in God's eyes. I would die for you. I can only pray that God has seen fit to give me a child from our love.
Tiger watched his last chance for salvation climb the dusty path to the hacienda.
The lantern swayed with the gentle rocking of the ship, sending the light in rhythmic flashes across the small group of tiny bodies huddled together in the hold. Billy's head was throbbing and his nerves were jangled from their almost incessant crying and refusal to eat. As cabin boy, he had been relegated the undesirable task of tending to these poor unfortunates. The latest one, a boy of only three, looked at him with enormous dark eyes, huge tears coursing down his face and his nose in flood stage.
Giving an exasperated sigh, Billy reached out a thin arm and dragged him into his rough embrace. "Here, let's stop that!" He wiped the boys nose with his already none-to-clean and ragged sleeve. "Men aren't supposed to cry so much! Jesus, Mary and Joseph! You'd think I'd whipped you all with a cat-o-nine-tails! Now that's sumpin to cry 'bout, let me tell you!" He had started unconsciously to rock back and forth as he sat cradling the small, plump body in his arms. The little boy looked up at Billy's young-old face, locked his eyes on the mobile mouth above him, and stuck his thumb contentedly between his lips.
They were all nestled in amongst the sacks of flour which had been delivered from the nearby mission's recently completed mill. The hold stank of mold, sweat, stale bread, and urine. But, to Billy, a ship and the sea were the only home he had ever known. His sharp chin jutted out towards a loudly purring cat, which was kneading one of the sacks in contentment as it stretched out in regal splendor. "Have a look at Mr. Hobbs." All eyes dutifully turned to stare in solemn regard at the enormous gray, short-haired cat. He, in turn, stared back in regal disdain with large golden eyes, then proceeded to lick his foreleg, ignoring them all.
"You'd never see Mr. Hobbs caterwauling like some silly kitten. No siree, not Mr. Hobbs, the finest rat catcher this ship's ever seen." Leaning closer and staring intently at the rapt faces in front of him, he continued. "Seen any rats 'round here have yah?" The small heads shook in the negative. "No! Can't say you have 'cause there ain't none! Thanks to Mr. Hobbs!" The admirable creature in question decided at that moment to leap from his place atop the sacks and bound up the stairs and through the open hatch to the deck above.
Mr. Hobbs padded softly across the moonlit deck; his tail a ship's mast as he made his way unerringly toward the light spilling from the open cabin door. The gruff male voices stopped as he jumped onto the rough wooden table.
"Ah, Mr. Hobbs." drawled one of the voices. A well-manicured hand scooped up the cat and held it up to his face. "And to what do we owe the honor of this visit?" The cat gazed calmly into the handsome face of Captain Jonathan Halliday. Large gold eyes stared into equally haughty and large blue ones. The Captain's full lower lip stretched into a smile, showing gleaming white teeth. "Is it time for your evening cream already?" Without looking from the cat, he nodded toward the door, murmuring in a voice used to command, "Jack, fetch some cream." One of the men immediately left with a nod and "Aye, sir."
Settling the cat in his lap, the Captain leaned back in his chair and stretched his long legs out, resting his polished boot heals on the table top. The glow from the lantern highlighted the golden hair and the gleaming buttons on his uniform. In a concession to his relaxed state he had undone the two top buttons, exposing the long line of his smooth throat. He was in sharp contrast to the other men in the room. Two of which were dressed as vaqueros, carrying pistols and sabers. The other two were sailors armed with long daggers.
Looking down at the cat as he stroked it, the Captain inquired to the cabin at large, "Did you have any trouble with the last child."
One of the vaqueros rubbed an old scar along his jaw and smiled, exposing a somewhat haggard row of large yellow teeth. "No Cap'n, not a bit o' trouble. Nuth'n to stop us, wuz there?" He gave a harsh laugh, which set him to coughing, bringing up a large glob of phlegm. Spitting the offending wad onto the floor, he continued, "We can get as many of the kiddies as you want Cap'n, just say the word."
Raising an eyebrow and directing a baleful look at the gleaming wad, Halliday answered, "No, Jed, I don't think that will be necessary. We should have a sufficient number to send off tomorrow night. It's almost been too easy. You're sure you haven't seen anything of this legendary Zorro the locals speak of?"
"Nah, Zorro? He's jus a figment of them Injuns 'n Spanyards 'magination, sir. Ain't nuth'n a'tal to that feller. No sirree, jus sum fancy pants likes to show off fur the women folk, I betcha. The women's crazy fur that kinda thang sir. Jus sum local feller gets the idear to ride 'round the neighborhood and climb into gals' bedroom winders, thas all."
"Ummm, I suppose you're right. Still it is disappointing. I had thought he would have made an appearance while you were wreaking havoc at Dona Carmen's hacienda.
She didn't give you any problems, did she? She was well informed as to what was planned."
"She didn't give us no trouble a'tal sir. That woman, if you don't mind my say'n so sir, has got only one thang on her mind, sir, an that's that high falutin Don Aleeehandro feller. Woman's plumb nuts fur the guy." Jed squinted his already too small eyes and grinned in a leering manner at the Captain, "Whut she needs is a REAL man!" He scratched his chest with dirt-encrusted fingernails and started his raspy laugh.
Fearing an imminent resurgence of the odious phlegm, the Captain hurriedly dismissed the man, "That's all for tonight Jed, take Thadeous with you and return to town.
The rest of the men should be at Rosealee's. Tell them to be back tomorrow afternoon. We'll send the children off and I have a rather large operation planned for tomorrow night. I want to sabotage the mission's new mill, cease production for a while. They're ripe for the picking. A gentle nudge should send them into such deep trouble; they'll practically beg me to take it off their hands."
As the two men exited, Mr. Hobbs jumped from his perch in the Captain's lap and followed them to the side of the ship. Jumping easily atop the railing, he watched as they climbed down to the small boat tied to the side. Riding the gentle swell of the ship atop the wooden rail, Mr. Hobbs twitched just the tip of his tail; his tiny ears pricked forward. He gazed past the rowing men to the shoreline, etched in silver by the glow from the full moon. The large golden eyes watched in silence as one of the shadows separated itself from the others and melted again into darkness.
El Zorro waited patiently as the two men rowed toward him. He appeared a creature born from the soft, deep shadows and gleaming moon-glow beauty of the night.
Sheathed in the soft black folds of his cape, he waited. His hand rested on the hilt of his saber, sending a tingle of anticipation into his gloved hand and an increased beat to his heart.
The men pulled their small boat onto the gravel of the beach and walked heavily towards the far side of the cove, where they disappeared. Making his way softly to the spot where he had last seen them, Zorro slipped into the shadows once again as a dim light issued suddenly from the entrance to a cave and the sounds of a man's hacking cough could be heard. Peering cautiously into its interior he saw the men preparing to get on their horses, their backs turned to him.
One of the men angrily erupted, "Lord save us, Jed! Can't you do something about that cough?"
Appearing suddenly behind the men, Zorro unsheathed his saber; the metal singing. "Yes, Jed, and I just happen to have the remedy in hand!"
The faces of the two startled men were matching gaping eyes and mouths as Zorro knocked first one and then the other unconscious with the pommel of his saber. A wad of phlegm shot from the lips of one as he hit the ground, narrowly missing Zorro's booted foot.
Relieving them of their weapons and trussing them up quickly, he straightened and whistled for Tornado. The gleaming black stallion emerged from its hiding place,
Paquito running behind. Handing one of the pistols to the young boy, he said, "Guard them well, Paquito. I'll return with your sister and the others shortly." He couldn't help but grin down at the boy as he saw his throat work with a large gulp, his small hand shaking as he wrapped his fingers around the large pistol. Patting the boy's shoulder reassuringly, he left the cave, knowing that if one of the men did awaken before his return, Tornado would probably do something horrible to the man without Paquito lifting a finger.
The rowing of the small boat back to its mother ship took only a few minutes. Easily ascending the rope ladder, he paused before hoisting himself over the side, listening for approaching footsteps. Nothing, just the sound of the water lapping against the side of the ship. Easing himself onto the railing he was startled to feel a cold nose butt against the side of his cheek and the tickle of whiskers. Turning, he stared into enormous golden eyes and felt the breath of the cat and the brush of the whiskers once again as it pressed it's face briefly against his. Smiling broadly, he whispered as he ran a finger along the back of the cat, listening to it's loud purring and watching it's back arch as he continued the caress up the long tail. "Thank you for the warm welcome, Senor Gato. But I'm afraid not everyone will be as glad to see me."
Landing softly onto the wooden deck he made his way quickly towards the lighted cabin. A man's steely voice could be heard as he neared. "...and I'll expect the ship ready to set sail tomorrow night with our 'cargo' when we're through at the mission."
Gazing through the doorway, he spotted a blonde man in uniform, feet up on the table. A group of three sailors standing close around it. A small bowl of something was on the table, as well as their empty mugs. The room did not appear to be large and was sparsely furnished. He had seen the blonde man before. Of course. He had purchased Tiger from this man!
Halliday was just about to dismiss his men when an apparition appeared out of the night. A man clothed in black wearing a mask, hat and cape, brandishing a saber and long dagger stood in the doorway, his teeth gleaming in a wide grin.
The sailors startled reaction was to grab clumsily for their weapons, knocking the table over, dislodging the Captain's feet and his seat. He landed on the floor; the bowl of cream lying upturned on his chest; it's contents dripping from his face.
The small room constricted the sailors movements. Two of them rushed Zorro with their short swords, but he easily parried their initial thrusts, sending one of them backwards onto the point of the sword held by the third sailor, sending them both to the floor. The remaining sailor lunged once again but Zorro stepped aside, allowing him to plunge through the doorway, helping him along with a swift kick to his rear. A reassuring thud could be heard from the dark as the man's head contacted with one of the ship's masts. Halligan had regained his feet at this point and stood facing Zorro, his sword drawn. A quiet, menacing and very competent look upon his face.
The fallen sailor, whose sword had spitted his fellow, struggled from underneath the dead weight, only to meet the tip of Zorro's boot under his chin, sending him back to the floor.
The Captain drawled, "So, I finally meet you at last. The legendary Zorro."
Eyeing the Captain warily, Zorro smiled as he replied, "Have I made a good impression so far?"
The Captain matched Zorro's grin, "Yes, you have indeed." He made a sudden thrust, which Zorro easily countered. The two men were gauging each other's ability.
Eyes intent on the other's face, they parried, unhurried; their presence filling the small room. The tall man, his golden hair and blue eyes gleaming, watched intently as the shorter man moved his dark form with a fluid grace amidst the debris on the floor. Their swords rang metal against metal until the Captain's foot slipped in a puddle of the spilt cream, sending him backwards against the table, which had landed on its side. Zorro immediately placed his dagger against the man's throat. He noted with admiration the man's calm voice as he said, "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, sir Zorro. What are we to do now?"
Grinning despite himself, Zorro replied, "You will show me where you are keeping the children."
The blue eyes widened as they stared into the large, dark ones. Easing back on the dagger, Zorro allowed the Captain to regain his feet. Bringing his hand up to his throat, he touched the small scratch the blade had left. "They're in the hold."
Indicating the Captain should precede him out the door, Zorro followed the man onto the deck. As they approached the open hatch which led down to the ship's hold, a loud meeeeeeooooowwwwww! erupted from underneath Zorro's boot. A furry body bolted across the deck when his startled foot released its pressure upon the long tail. Captain Halliday grabbed his moment of opportunity and sped to the side of the ship, hurtling himself overboard; he disappeared into the dark waters. Zorro leaned, too late, over the side of the ship, searching for a sound, anything to indicate the Captain's whereabouts, but he had disappeared completely into the night.
Sighing, Zorro turned to the open hatch in the deck. He could see a dim light below. Making his way cautiously down the stairs he did not encounter drawn swords but the piercing cries issuing from six young throats. Sheathing his weapons, he held his hands up in surrender or supplication or both.
Billy, still clutching Vittoriano to his thin chest, gazed in complete horror at the dark figure looming before them. He had never seen such a creature before and felt his arms and knees go suddenly weak. One of the older children, a girl, broke free from the group and tugged at Billy's ragged pant leg. Looking down at the grimy face he watched as the small mouth formed what sounded like, "Zorro". He bent closer, just as the girl shouted out, "It's Zorro!" Turning her attention to the other children she screamed, "It's Zorro! He's come to rescue us! It's Zorro!"
The screaming stopped, all eyes turned to the man in black and as if with one voice they yelled, "ZORRO, ZORRO, ZORRO!" Rushing around him they tugged until he collapsed to his knees, hugging as many of them to him as he could. Speaking to them softly and reassuringly, he glanced toward the cabin boy, noting he still stood apart.
"What is your name, chico?"
"Billy, sir....Zorro....sir."
"Can you help me load these children into the boat and take them ashore?"
"What about the Cap'n, sir...Zorro....sir."
"I'm afraid he has abandoned the ship, Billy. If you help me, I promise I will protect you from any harm. And, just call me Zorro." He smiled down at the boy.
Billy looked up into the masked face and saw the smile, something he didn't see too often. His chest felt funny. The man's eyes were warm and he was really looking at him as if he cared what he thought. He had even ASKED him to help him, didn't order him around or cuff him like the others. Besides, it wasn't right taking these kids from their parents. Taking a deep breath he raised his chin and looked directly into the masked face. "Yes, sir.....I mean Zorro....I can help you."
Giving the boy his most beautiful grin, Zorro slapped him on the shoulder and they set about getting the children off the ship and onto shore.
THE MISSION
Paquito eyed the cabin boy with suspicion, but Zorro seemed to trust him. It was a relief to see his sister among the group of children. He felt his chest swell with pride as he remembered the look of approval Zorro had given him when he suggested taking the children to Father Emilio and the nearby mission.
Tornado and the other horses carried Zorro and his lost children to the mission, arriving well before dawn. Once Father Emilio had been awakened they quickly settled the children in the kitchen, where a fire was hurriedly lit and food prepared.
Father Emilio guided Zorro out of the kitchen and towards his own quarters. Looking back, he smiled at the children gathered around the large table. He spoke softly, "Matthew ten, verse twenty-nine. 'Not one sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.'"
Turning his kind gaze to the man beside him he said, "I don't know how to thank you Zorro. Your return after all this time will bring great happiness to their families. And the boy, Billy, is bright and eager. He will be a great asset here." The Father was a man in his prime, with shining black hair and eyes, with an energetic spring to his step. He looked into Zorro's face, which was on a level with his own. "Perhaps God has sent you here to be my savior, as well."
Zorro's eyes widened, "Why is that, Father?"
Father Emilio touched Zorro's elbow as he continued their path down the hallway. Lowering his head, he replied thoughtfully, "We have had a difficult struggle over the years and we were just beginning to blossom. The olive grove has been a success but the wheat took many seasons of experimentation before yielding a good harvest. The new mill to process it has been a true blessing, but recently we have been plagued with troubles. Small things, but they have accumulated. There have even been fires set in the olive grove, some of the trees were damaged. I fear these misfortunes are man made rather than the result of nature or ill luck. Many people depend on this mission." The Father stopped and turned once again to the masked man beside him. "Can you help us Zorro?"
His eyes narrowed and lips compressed, Zorro nodded, "I can indeed, Father."
Smiling broadly, Father Emilio gripped Zorro by both shoulders, "I am greatly relieved to hear that my son, Zorro rides again!"
Matching Father Emilio's grin, Zorro stared into the handsome Father's face as he replied solemnly, "That he does."
A WOMAN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
Don Miquel was beginning to regret his visit to Dona Carmen. He had never seen her in this condition before. Still attired in her dressing gown, her hair loose and tangled, her eyes glazed, unseeing, she paced about her bedroom as she had for most of the evening. Don Miquel brought out his handkerchief and dabbed his sweaty face; he noticed with displeasure how his hand shook as he reached for the brandy decanter. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the back of the chair, shutting the vision of the deranged woman from him, but he could still hear the rustle of her skirts and the desperate note of impending hysteria in her voice.
Picking up the empty bottle which sat at her bedside table, her face crumpled into rage. Slamming the bottle against the floor it shattered. "Why is there no laudanum in this cursed house!" She whirled around desperately, searching, constantly searching for her opiates.
His eyes still closed, Don Miquel said tiredly, "I thought Jonathan was keeping you well stocked, my dear."
Carmen paused in the middle of the room, her hands clutching at her full skirts as she threw her head back, a wild laugh escaping her lips. She rushed to Don Miquel's chair and griped the armrests, her face close to his. His startled eyes flew open as he looked into her gleaming eyes, intent on his. He noted the pallor of her skin and the bruised look to her face. Those beautiful breasts, exposed by the low cut dressing gown, heaved as she gasped out, "Our dear Captain Jonathan! Our dear INEPT Captain Jonathan! His men were to have killed that wretched woman.....Elena!.....at the fiesta. But the INEPT Captain Jonathan hires only INEPT men!" She released her grip on the armrests and started pounding them instead, "Why do you think I have been helping that FOOL! He was to do this one small thing for me! Such a simple thing; the murder of a foolish woman!"
She whirled away, much to Don Miquel's relief, and started pacing about the room again. "I allowed Jonathan to devastate my hacienda." She pounded her breast, "My home! So that he could 'rescue' us from these terrible attacks. We could applaud the brave Captain for eliminating our fears and freeing us from destruction. In our gratitude we would recommend that his name be placed on the deed to the mission's land." She whirled sharply to face Don Miquel, her eyes enormous, she whispered, "You realize he wants the mission's land." The exhausted man simply nodded. Carmen rushed to where the unhappy man sat and collapsed at his feet. She wrapped her arms around his knees and placed her head there. Her voice was suddenly quiet and childlike, "When I'm married to Alejandro everything will be perfect. Alejandro is so beautiful and kind. We'll be so happy." She looked up into Don Miquel's face with a terrible pleading, "You'll get me some more laudanum, won't you Miquel?"
Mariana's emotions raged inside her like an electrical storm. Bitter, lonely tears streamed down her face as she fled from the place where she and Tiger had shared such pleasure only moments before. "What is it I could have possibly done to make him react to me in such a way?" she thought miserably, confused by her lover's treatment of her after they had made love. A million thoughts pounded in her aching head. Thoughts of intense idolatry and longing for Tiger, feelings of shame over the forbidden love that they had just stolen, betrayal after the way she was rejected by the man she loved; by the man she had thought loved her. Mariana's mind was whirling in a torrent of emotions alien to her in her innocence, so that in such a state was she that she didn't even notice Elena's shadowy figure emerging down the path until the two had already collided.
Mariana's tearstained face flushed in embarrassment as she mumbled a hasty apology and attempted to hurry past Elena, who was sure to notice something was amiss. "Mariana, dear, what is wrong?" Elena asked, holding the trembling young woman gently but firmly by the shoulders.
"It's nothing," Mariana replied, unable to meet the gaze of the motherly face whose mouth was set in a rigid line of concern. "Really, nothing, Elena. Please just let me pass."
She attempted again to break free of the surprisingly strong arms that restrained her, but shaking her head, Elena replied, "I don't think so; not until you tell me what it is that makes you weep so." Mariana gave up struggling and accepted the silk, embroidered handkerchief that was offered to her, drying the tears on her face and sitting where she was bid. "Come and tell me, child," Elena said warmly, taking Mariana's small hand in hers.
The latter immediately pulled away and snapped defensively, "I am no child, and I am tired of being treated as such!"
"No," Elena smiled. "Of course not. I don't know what made me think such a thing. Now please, Dear, just tell me what it is that troubles you."
Mariana hesitated. In the back of her mind she feared what Elena might think of the way she had given herself away so freely in that one rash, impulsive moment of irrepressible passion and desire. Foreshadowing those feelings of doubt and uncertainty, though, was a tremendous feeling of relief at being able to tell someone her troubles. How good it felt to vent to someone so much wiser than she, someone of so much greater experience in the world, someone who would surely know exactly what to do about Tiger.
As the time passed, Mariana went on to tell Elena of her time with Tiger, first with timid and embarrassed modesty, and then without inhibition, pouring out her heart to the kind and understanding soul who listened so patiently to her story. She told Elena of her love and devotion to Tiger, and how desperately she longed to be with him forever.
Elena took in everything that she was told silently and then, at length, began to speak. "Ah, Mariana, you truly love Tiger. I can see that now. You must give Tiger some time to come to these conclusions himself. He will see. It was the same with Alejandro, Chica. Sometimes men require a bit of coaxing to see the light." Elena stopped and smiled with thoughts of her intense, passionate courtship with Alejandro.
Mariana pondered these words as she handed back to Elena the delicate, yellow handkerchief. "Do you think so?" she asked uncertainly. "I don't think I could bear to live without him."
As Mariana spoke, Elena turned the handkerchief over and over in her hands, studying it closely and feeling the deep memories which it evoked. In a voice which seemed of a different world entirely, she suddenly interjected quietly, "This was once my mother's. My father gave it to me in a carriage ride that was to be our last and only moments together before his death." Closing her eyes against the threat of tears, Elena paused briefly, experiencing an influx of vivid images and flashbacks, before continuing. "Don Diego de la Vega had always carried it with him to remind him of his deep love for his wife and child who was stolen from him when she was just a baby," and looking up at the girl before her, she added, almost as an afterthought, "Me." A sudden montage of memories of her father descended upon her mind. Memories of her rescuing him from the bleak prison cell that held him, their race to the mine in the horse-drawn carriage, and the precious last moments they had shared, just before he had given her and Alejandro his blessings on their love...
Alejandro! Elena felt her thoughts shift guiltily from her father to her husband, and all of her previous concern for his safety returned to her. She looked back at Mariana, though, who was staring at her intently, as if the advice she had been giving were the girl's last hope of life, and found the strength in Mariana's trusting, dependent gaze to push her own problems from her mind and focus on the ones of the precious young woman who had come to her, so desperately seeking help. Regaining her previous train of thought, Elena continued, "You know, Mariana, my father once told me that living all those years without my mother and me was such torture, and that what got him through was the love he carried in his heart for us." Elena allowed Mariana time to ponder what she had said. "So listen to me, Chica. As long as you have Tiger in your heart, he will always be yours. Give him time to come to express the love you feel for him in return. He will come to realize this. You will see."
Returning to the handkerchief laying forgotten on her lap, Elena began reminiscing once again. "My father took this out of his jacket and placed it in my hand the day of our last ride together. How happy I was to have something that was once my mother's! See the pattern my mother embroidered into the cloth?" Mariana leaned closer to study the intricate design. "It's two hearts woven together to form one."
"Oh yes, Elena," the girl replied. "I see. How very beautiful."
Lost was Elena in a few more moments of private meditation, contemplating the symbolism in the tiny, stitched hearts before she continued speaking once more regarding the problems at hand. "Mariana, I knew that Alejandro, from the first moment I saw him, was destined to be in my heart forever, my one true love. Things may not have looked as if they would turn out all along, but in the end, you see, love conquers all. Mariana, my darling, love is surely the most powerful force on all the earth, and if the love you have for Tiger is true, nothing will be able to come between the two of you. If you remember nothing of what I have told you today remember that."
For a long moment neither moved; they just sat beside each other, deep in their own thoughts. Mariana brooded over her love of Tiger, wondering if perhaps all that Elena had said was indeed true, while Elena began to grow more and more nervous, given time to think of her husband who, for all she know, lay dead that very moment. Finally the silence was too much to bear and Elena stood up and turned to Mariana, saying, "Go now and be happy...do not worry, my dear. It will all work out. Tiger will come around, you'll see." Gratefully shifting her mind to someone else's problems, Elena put her arm around Mariana's thin shoulders and led her through the garden, towards the hacienda.
"I can't thank you enough for the guidance you have given me," Mariana smiled adoringly up at Elena, before bidding her farewell and continuing on her own.
With a faint feeling of satisfaction for the little bit of advice she had been able to offer the young woman, Elena slowly tucked the handkerchief back into the bodice of her dress. Suddenly, though, she felt two great arms around her, lifting her up off of her feet from behind and turning her around to stare straight into the playful eyes of her husband. There was more joy in her heart at the sight of his face than she would have thought any human heart capable of holding, but as she opened her mouth to tell him so, his finger went at once to her lips before she could make a sound, and she was laid gently down on the grass. Alejandro, chest heaving with passion, hovered above her. She watched in anticipation as his hands began to undo the buttons of his shirt. Within seconds the shirt was on the ground beside her, and Alejando was caressing her breasts through her clothes, staring at her with the wild, animal eyes that she knew so well. "I have returned," he breathed into her ear. "Let's play."
After their lurid adventure in the garden Alejandro and Elena went inside the house where they were greeted by the squeals of their children. Alejandro knelt down to hug them and they ran into his arms. "Papa! Papa!" squealed Joaquin.
Alejandro hugged his son tightly. "Hola Hijo."
"Papa!" squealed Esperanza.
Alejandro hugged his baby daughter tightly. "Hola Hija. How are my beautiful babies?" He kissed them both.
Elena looked lovingly at the sight before her. "I refuse to let that puta, Dona Carmen, destroy my family," she said under her breath.
Alejandro looked at her. "What did you say mi amor?"
"Nada, querido, nada," she smiled back at him.
Mariana walked toward the children. "Come you two. It's time for your bath."
"No!" said Joaquin.
"You do what Mariana says, my son. You and your sister must take your bath. Go now," said Alejandro
"Yes Papa." Joaquin and Esperanza were lead away by Mariana.
Alejandro stood up and smiled as he saw his children go off happily. Elena turned and looked lovingly at her husband, she touched his face and gently moved the hair from his forehead. "I've missed you so much my love. Are you sure you're alright?" she asked.
He looked into her eyes and kissed her lips gently. "Si mi amor estoy buen." She hugged him tightly and nuzzled her face in the warmth of his neck. His scent stared to arouse her but she decided against the idea of them being together, at least for the moment.
Morning Dove came back into the room. "Senora, should I prepare a hot bath for Don Alejandro?"
"Yes please Morning Dove," replied Elena.
"As you say, Senora." Morning Dove started walking up the stairs.
"Will you wash my back, mi amor?" Alejandro asked.
"If that is what you wish," replied Elena.
"It is," he said. They smiled at each other and started walking up the stairs. Elena stopped suddenly and swayed a little. As she started to fall backwards she grabbed the banister and Alejandro grabbed her tightly around her waist.
"Elena mi vida! What's wrong? Morning Dove come quickly!"
As Morning Dove came running to help, Alejandro picked Elena up and carried her to their bedroom where he gently lay her on the bed. Morning Dove got a small towel and dipped it into a basin of cold water. She wrung it out and put it on Elena's forehead.
"Elena! What's wrong?" Elena opened her eyes slowly and looked at her worried husband. "What's wrong my love?" Alejandro asked.
She touched his face gently and smiled. "I'm fine, don't worry."
"Elena you fainted and you say for me not to worry?"
Elena slowly began to sit up. "I got dizzy, that's all," she said.
Morning Dove looked at Alejandro and said, "The truth is, Senor, that the Senora was very worried about you while you were gone."
Elena held his hand. "She's right. I hardly got any sleep while you were gone. I was wondering if you were all right and now that I see you and have you here with me it's such a relief and well... my body reacted the only way it knew how. I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you like that."
He hugged her tightly and kissed her neck. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you. I would die without you," Alejandro said with tears in his eyes.
She cradled him in her arms and whispered, "You will never lose me, my Alejandro." She kissed his forehead and stroked his hair. "Morning Dove is his bath ready?" asked Elena.
"Si Senora," Morning Dove replied. As she left the room, she closed the door behind her.
Elena looked at her husband and said, "It's time for your bath." As they walked toward the cast iron tub, Elena looked around the room. "Morning Dove forgot the towel. I'll be right back. Meanwhile you get undressed and into that tub."
"Si Senora," replied Alejandro.
Elena smiled as she walked down the hall and she called to Morning Dove, "Morning Dove."
"Si Senora. Is anything wrong?" she answered.
"You forgot Don Alejandro's towel."
"Yes, I know Senora. I was coming back with it."
She handed the towel to her and Elena, in turn, held her hand and said, "Thank you for not telling him."
"You're welcome, Senora, but he should know."
"I know, but right now it's best that he doesn't." Elena kissed Morning Dove's cheek. "Go now, I'll attend to Don Alejandro's needs." Elena smiled and winked at her. Morning Dove giggled and walked down the hall. Elena turned and re-entered the bedroom and closed the door behind her.
Mariana was walking past the bedroom door when she heard their voices. "Alejandro, what are you doing?"
"Come here my wife."
"Alejandro! Ahhhhhh!" There was a splash and Mariana saw the water come from underneath the door into the hallway. Mariana smiled and went to get a mop to clean up the water.
TIGER
Mariana was outside in the back wringing out the mop. She was softly humming when Tiger came around the side of the house. He stopped and looked at her. She was so deep in thought that she didn't see or hear him as he approached. "You have the most beautiful smile, Mariana."
The sound of his voice startled her and she dropped the wet mop onto the dirt. "Oh no!" she cried. They both bent down to pick up the mop and as they did their hands touched and a shudder ran down their spines.
He took her arm and helped her up. "Are you all right? I didn't mean to scare you," said Tiger.
"That's alright, it's not your fault. I didn't hear or see you standing there," she replied. She looked at the dirty mop. "Excuse me I have work to do."
As she turned to leave he held her arm. "I would like to talk to you, my angel." Tiger said.
"What for? You made it quite clear that you do not want me," she said.
Tiger took her by the arm and they went toward the stable where he knew they would be alone. He took her inside and closed the door behind them, He looked at her. "I never said that I didn't want you! I said I have no name to give you. I'm not worthy of your love and it rips my heart out knowing that I can't give you the things you desire and want."
Tiger looked away. Mariana gently touched his cheek and made him look into her eyes. "Oh my Tiger, the only thing I desire is you and you alone. There is no other man on earth for me but you. When will you believe that my love?"
Tiger reached and cupped her face in his hands. He moved closer and gently kissed her. Suddenly one of the horses whinnied and startled Mariana. She turned to see what had scared her and when she did she hit Tiger in the face with the dirty mop. "Oh Tiger! I'm sorry! I didn't mean...," she cried.
Tiger started laughing and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry, my angel. It was an accident." He continued laughing and she smiled.
"I'd better get back to the house. I have work to do," she said.
"I'd better wash my face," Tiger replied. As they walked toward the stable door Tiger looked into Mariana's eyes. "I do love you my little one, more than I am capable of saying and until my life is my own I have nothing to offer you."
"All I want is you, my love," Mariana said as she walked out the door.
He watched her as she walked away and he felt his heart beating as if for the first time. He touched his chest and smiled, "I will one day make you mine my little one. I promise."
ELENA'S PRAYER
Alejandro drifted off to sleep after he finished with his bath. As he lay on the bed Elena stayed by him and looked lovingly at him. She moved a few stray black curls that were on his forehead and then touched his cheek. "Diosito, I will do anything to protect him, anything." She leaned and kissed his cheek then covered him with a blanket and got up and walked out of the room. She walked down the stairs into the living room and there she saw Mariana dusting. She called to her, "Mariana!"
"Si Senora." replied Mariana.
"Please ask Tiger to meet me in the stable in twenty minutes."
Mariana looked at her. "Si, Senora, right away."
Meanwhile Tiger was unloading a wagon full of hay. He had no shirt on and his upper body glistened with sweat. Mariana looked at him working, feeling her heart pounding so fast that she could hardly breath. She then remembered that she had to deliver Elena's message. She composed herself and then walked over to where Tiger was. "Excuse me Tiger."
Tiger stopped working and turned to look at her. "Did you come to hit me with the mop again?" he smiled and she looked down at the ground and giggled.
"No, I came because Senora Elena asked me to tell you that she wants to meet you in the stable in twenty minutes."
"Did she say what she wanted?" he asked.
"No, just for you to meet her there."
"Where is Don Alejandro?" Tiger asked.
"He's resting. I have to go." She turned to leave when Tiger grabbed her hand and raised it to his lips. He kissed the palm of her hand. She blushed and then continued on her way. He smiled at her as he put on his shirt and then walked toward the stable.
When he entered he saw Elena practicing with the sword. "Dona Elena, you wanted to see me?"
Elena turned to face him, "Yes Tiger, I would like to practice a little before Alejandro wakes up. Do you have time?"
"Well, at the moment I'm unloading a wagon full of hay, but if you want we can practice now," Tiger replied.
She smiled and said, "Yes, just for a few minutes."
"All right Senora, let me get a sword." Tiger walked over to where they kept some if the weapons and took out a sword. He then walked back to where Elena was waiting. He raised the sword up and said, "On guard Senora."
Elena smiled and repeated, "On guard Tiger."
Their swords clashed and the practice began. Back and forth they went acting as if they were fighting the enemy. Elena lunged forward and knocked the sword from Tiger's hand and then held the point of the sword at Tiger's throat.
Tiger leaned against the stable wall and looked at her. "And they call ME Tiger," he said.
As she lowered the sword they smiled at each other. "I'll take that as a compliment," she said. "Thank you for taking the time to help me. I'd better get back to the house before Alejandro wakes up."
"You're welcome, Senora," Tiger said.
Elena went inside the house and looked around the room for Morning Dove.
"Is there something wrong, Senora Elena?" she asked.
"Is my husband awake yet?"
"No Senora, not yet," Morning Dove replied.
"My poor husband is exhausted. Have the children had their supper yet?"
"Si Senora," she replied.
"Good, I'll go check on Alejandro." He was still asleep and she smiled at the beautiful sight before her. She turned and picked up a sheet of paper, an ink pen and the ink well from the desk then she stepped onto the balcony and went over to the little table that was situated there for their use on hot evenings. She sat down and set everything on the table ready for her use. She took the pen in her hand and dipped it into the ink well and began to write. She dedicated it to her loving husband.
Heart and Soul
As I lay me down to sleep,
I pray to God that he will keep
You safe and sound for one more day,
Happy and content in your own loving way.
If I should die before I wake,
There's one more wish I would like to make.
That He will take good care of you,
Never let you down, or make you feel blue.
If I go to heaven and you're not there,
I'll wait for you, by an empty chair.
I can't wait to take you in my arms,
Hold you and kiss you and keep you from harm.
I thank you for all you've given me,
Your love, your kindness, and the will to be free.
There's so much more, I want to do and say,
And I hope that God will grant me one more day.
"I Love You" with all my heart,
I hate it when we are apart.
So please God, keep him in your loving care,
This is my wish, A Lover's Prayer.
Elena looked at what she just wrote and smiled. She collected the items that she brought out to the balcony and took them back into the bedroom. She set them back on the desk then turned to look at her husband who was still asleep.
She started walking softly toward the door when she was startled by Alejandro's voice. "Donde vas amor?"
She turned to look at him and put her hand on her heart. "You scared me amor. I didn't know you were awake."
He got up and help her to the bed and they sat down. "I'm sorry I frightened you. Are you all right?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she kissed him on the cheek. "My heart is still pounding."
"Oh my love, I'm sorry," he said and he hugged her tightly.
She pulled away just enough to look into his eyes. "Feel how my heart pounds for you."
Elena took his hand and put it on her chest. He then slid his hand into the top of her dress and caressed her breast. He kissed her with a hunger of a thousand lions and he lay her down on the bed. Her hands reached the top of his pants and started to undo the buttons but just as they were about to consummate their love a knock came at the door.
"Papa, Mama." It was their son Joaquin. They straightened their clothes and smoothed their hair. Elena went and opened the door.
"What is it mi amor?" she asked.
"I want to kiss you and my Papa good night," Joaquin said.
"Of course, hijo. Alejandro, come. We must put the children to bed."
He walked toward the door and saw his son standing there. "Of course we must put the children to bed. Come my son." He picked up Joaquin and went toward the nursery, Elena following behind. Alejandro had Joaquin on his shoulders and was galloping down the hall like a horse.
They reached the door of the children's room when Elena said, "I'll be right back." Alejandro looked at her and watched as she walked down the hall. He then turned and went into the children's room. Meanwhile Elena went into the kitchen. Morning Dove and Mariana were there. Elena inhaled the heavenly aroma of the food that they had prepared. "Mmmmmmm that smells wonderful," she said.
Morning Dove smiled and said, "Thank you Senora. Are you and Senor Alejandro ready for your supper?"
Elena replied, "Yes, but I want you to take it to our bedroom. Also, make a fire in the fireplace. I felt the room was alittle chilly."
"Si Senora, we'll see to it right away," Morning Dove replied. Mariana stood there smiling. Morning Dove looked at her and said, "Andale nina!
We have work to do."
Elena went back to the children's room. She stood at the doorway watching her children being chased by their father. Esperanza saw her mother and toddled towards her. Elena bent down and scooped up her baby girl and held her tightly and kissed her cheek. She could feel the baby's heart pounding in her little chest. "Alejandro that's enough, they need to get their rest."
"Oh Mama! Not yet!" cried Joaquin. "I'm too big to go to bed so early."
Elena looked at her son who was standing in front of her with his hands on his hips. "It's late hijo and it's time for you to go to bed," she answered.
"But you and Papa stay up late, why can't I?" he said.
Elena looked at Alejandro for support. Alejandro picked up his son and looked him in the eye and said, "When you are much older then you can stay up late, but for right now you must do what Mama says."
"Do you do what Mama says Papa?" Joaquin said innocently.
Alejandro looked at Elena who was now trying to conceal her laughter. "Yes my son, I do exactly what your Mama tells me to do. Now it's time for bed." He put his son in bed and tucked him in, Elena moved closer to Joaquin's bed. Alejandro bent down and kissed his son's forehead "Good night my son," he said.
He turned and took the baby from Elena's arms and she bent down and kissed her son on the cheek, "Good night, Joaquin. Sweet Dreams." Elena said.
Joaquin looked lovingly at his mother and said, "Good night Mama, I love you."
She smiled and said, "I love you too my son." They then put Esperanza in her bed and kissed her. They headed towards the door, then stopped and looked one more time at the products of their love and smiled. They closed the door and walked down the hall.
Alejandro smiled and said, "I can't believe how much Joaquin is like my brother. He said almost the exact same thing that my brother said to our mother when we were small."
"You miss him don't you, my love?" Elena said.
"Very much querida, very much." Elena took him my the hand and lead him toward their bedroom. "Where are we going Elena?" he replied.
"I had your supper brought in here so you could eat in comfort." Elena smiled as they walked through the door. Everything was set and waiting for them on a small round table for two. They closed the door behind them and Alejandro stayed by the door as Elena walked toward the table. "Are you hungry Alejandro?" Elena asked as she started to serve him a plate.
She turned around suddenly when she heard the sound of the door being locked. She looked into her husband's eyes as he walked towards her. He took the plate from her hand and set it back down on the table he then took her in his arms and whispered into her ear "I'm hungry only for you, my wife." He kissed her ear and then her neck. She felt her breath quicken and her heart started pounding faster and faster. He started to undo the ties of her dress and within minutes she was standing before him in nothing but her slip. Now it was her turn, she pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. She rubbed his chest with both her hands. She bent down and kissed his stomach and then headed for a reward for herself. She began to suck like a hungry child on one of his erect nipples, Alejandro began to moan. One of her hands began to travel down his chest to the front of his pants. She was able to undo the buttons of his pants. Once this goal was reached she suddenly pulled down his pants to expose the excitement he was now feeling. She dropped to her knees and took him into her mouth with a vengeance. As she pleased him with her tongue and mouth he moaned even louder, "Oh Elena! What are you doing to me!"
When she was done he pulled her up and walked her over to the fireplace. He removed her slip and lay her down on the rug where it was warm. She looked at him and said, "I want you inside me now my love."
Alejandro looked at his beautiful wife and smiled, "Yes I must do what Mama says." She smiled at him. He then gently parted her legs with his hands and he moved closer to his treasure. His tongue began to please her. His tongue darted in and out and in and out, Elena arched her back and began to moan, "Oh my Alejandro, my beautiful husband." He continued between her legs until she could stand it no more. "Alejandro I want you now!" she cried.
"Then you shall have me, mi amor," he said. And before Elena knew it Alejandro with one swift movement was inside her. He entered her and re-entered her again and again, faster and harder with each thrust until they reached heaven together. Alejandro lay on top of Elena in an exhausted state. They were both breathing heavy, but they were happy and content.
He rolled off of her and as they lay there on the rug they began to talk. "Do you remember the first time we met, mi amor?" Alejandro asked.
"Yes, I do. You were standing between two horses when I came riding into the courtyard. Once I saw your eyes I knew that some day you'd be mine," Elena replied.
He smiled at her. "You were that sure?"
"Yes," she said.
"What made you so sure?"
"Just the lustful way you looked at me that's all," she said.
Alejandro raised himself up on his left arm and with his right he began to stroke Elena's breast seductively. She looked at him and hoped he could read her mind. "Lustful huh?" he said. He leaned over and kissed her breast. She began to squirm under his touch.
"Ohhhh, yes lustful," she purred. He continued touching her and enjoyed watching her become excited. She looked at him and said, "Alejandro what are you doing to me?"
"What ever you like my love, what ever you like."
As their passion continued getting higher a frantic knock came at the door. "Damn!" Alejandro said, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Tiger, Don Alejandro. I'm sorry to disturb you but you need to come quickly! It's the Senora's mare, she's giving birth."
Elena started to get up but Alejandro held her down. "Where are you going?" he asked.
"My mare is giving birth! I must be there!" she replied.
"I want you here with me amor," he said gently kissing and then licking her neck.
She started to feel herself wanting to make love again. "Please Alejandro...," she said, "I must go to help her. Remember she lost a colt two years ago and I don't want that to happen again. Please mi amor."
He looked lovingly at her and kissed her tenderly and smiled, "All right go. I'll be there shortly to help."
"Thank you my love," Elena said and she got up and dressed quickly. She opened the door and then turned to look at Alejandro. "That's is why I love you so much," she said and blew him a kiss with her hand.
Alejandro got up and dressed. As he combed his hair he noticed a piece of paper with Elena's writing on it. It was the poem that she wrote for him. He read it and a tear rolled down his cheek. He put the paper back on the desk and smiled. He wiped the tear from his cheek and left the room.
AT CARMEN'S HACIENDA
Dona Carmen paced the floor of her living room trying to figure out what her next move would be. Captain Jonathan walked in to find her pacing back and forth like a caged lion.
"What's the matter now my dear?" he asked.
She turned to see him. "How dare you walk in here unannounced!" she yelled.
He walked over to her and held out a bottle of laudanum. "Now, now, look what I have for you," he smiled. She looked at the bottle and reached for it. He pulled it back before she was able to get it.
"Hey!" she exclaimed.
"You must be nice my dear Carmen or I won't bring you any more of your tonic."
She looked at him like a child. "I'm sorry," she said.
"That's better," he said and handed her the bottle.
She took the top off and took a drink. Within a few seconds she was calm. "Thank you, Jonathan," she purred.
"You're welcome, my dear. Now what were you thinking as I came in? No wait, let me guess... you were thinking of Don Alejandro Bartolo del Castillo Y Garcia, right?"
"But of course. He is the love of my life," she replied.
Jonathan sneered. "But I thought you loved me, Carmen. Why don't you just give up on him. Can't you see that he's totally in love with Elena."
Carmen turned and looked at him with a deadly gaze. "Don't you dare mention that bitch's name in this house! Alejandro will be mine! He would already be mine if it weren't for you!"
"What about me?" Jonathan demanded.
"You were suppose to kill her the night of the fiesta!" she spat.
"Oh sure! I'm going to kill her with more than a hundred people around! Are you insane?"
They glared at each other for a few seconds then Carmen walked over to him and slapped his face. "How dare you call me insane!"
"It's true."
She took another swing at him but this time he caught her by the wrist. "Once was enough but twice is deadly," he said.
She looked into his eyes and then backed away. "I still want Elena dead!"
"In due time my sweet, in due time."
ELENA'S NEWS
Alejandro entered the barn in time to see Elena hugging the newborn colt. Her mare nuzzled the baby colt and seemed to say thank you to Elena by rubbing against her shoulder. Elena kissed the mare on the forehead. "You're welcome my Mariposa.
Elena saw Alejandro standing there and she ran to him. She hugged him tightly and kissed him. "Isn't he beautiful my love?" she said.
"Yes he is," he replied.
"What should we call him Alejandro? After all he is the son of Tornado."
"How about Cyclone? If he's anything like his father he will be strong and lightning fast," Tiger said.
Elena and Alejando looked at each other and smiled. Elena said, "It's perfect."
Alejandro walked over to the colt and said, "Then Cyclone it is." He patted the colt on the head. He looked at Elena who was yawning. "Come it's getting late and we all should get some rest."
"I suppose you're right my love. Take good care of your baby, Mariposa," Elena said. The mare whinnied.
"Good night Tiger," Alejandro said.
"Good night Don Alejandro, good night Dona Elena," replied Tiger with a smile.
"Good night, Tiger," said Elena. She and Alejandro left.
As they walked back to the house Alejandro looked at his wife "You look so beautiful mi amor," he said.
"Thank you," she replied.
He kept looking at her. "You look so different, but I don't know why."
"How do I look different?" she asked.
"Your eyes are different," he replied.
She decided it was time and took him to the garden. "Let's sit down for a minute," she said. They sat down on a stone bench that was there. She held his hand and looked into his eyes. "Do you remember when I had that dizzy spell?"
"How could I forget, mi vida. You scared me to death," he said.
She touched his cheek gently. "Oh my love I didn't mean to scare you, but I had a perfectly good reason for that dizzy spell," she said.
He looked at her nervously. "What is it my love? Are you sick?"
"Don't worry. It's nothing that about seven more months won't cure," she said.
He looked at her strangely. "I don't understand mi amor."
"Oh Alejandro mi vida. What I'm trying to tell you is that I'm going to have another baby."
"Oh Elena! Are you sure?"
"Yes, as sure as my love for you," she smiled.
He hugged and kissed her. "You said seven months? You've known for two months and didn't tell me. Why?"
"I just wanted to make sure everything was going to be all right. Sometimes women don't make it through the first few months and once they do then the chances of going through with the pregnancy are greatly increased. Don't be mad at me mi amor I just wanted to protect you."
He smiled and kissed her hand and said, "I love you so much Elena, more than I could ever show you."
"Well, you have no problem with showing me your love my Alejandro," she smiled and winked at him.
He stood up and looked at the night sky and yelled, "WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY!" He took her in his arms and they danced around the garden. He hugged her tightly and kissed her passionately.
Episode 1: Captain Halligan Recovers
Finally bathed, dry, and dressed again in clean clothes, Captain Halligan lounged on Dona Carmen's settee, taking a Havana cigar from the humidor on the table, biting off the end, and spitting it into the brass cuspidor with a ping!
"So, my dear," he said, puffing the pungent cigar into life and gazing contemptuously at Dona Carmen, "now that your demons are quiet, would you like to know where I've been these past three days?"
Dona Carmen, sated on the laudanum she craved, returned his gaze with the perfect detachment of a spoiled and beautiful woman. "I only know, mi querida, that you left me to suffer! How dare you come staggering into my hacienda, dripping wet, ragged, like Pete the Peddler instead of a commander of the sea! Who do you think I am?" Her eyes were sparkling with offended dignity and drug-induced fever.
Halligan squinted through the rising cigar smoke, his voice a steely sword. "I know who you are not, mi tesoro, and will never be," he rejoined. "Even with Elena out of the picture, Don Alejandro could hardly love a woman lost to laudanum."
Dona Carmen's face flamed scarlet and she came at him with a scream. He easily deflected her blow, holding her to him on the settee with a grip that hurt her wrists. "Didn't you wonder, mi tesoro," he whispered, holding her to him with the indifference of a man with a prostitute, "how I lost my crew, my ship, and my clothes, but not your little vial of drugs?"
She turned her head, refusing to look at him, ashamed in spite of herself that the last few days had passed in a blur.
"Well, I'm going to tell you, Carmen, and you're going to listen, like it or not." Halligan murmured the story into her ear--the children in the hold, the sudden appearance of El Zorro, the sword at his throat, Mr. Hobbes the cat giving him a lucky opportunity to leap overboard and escape from the black-robed intruder. As the story unfolded, Carmen stopped struggling and began to listen, intrigued by the mesmerizing voice in her ear.
"I was swimming though the black water as fast as I could go, my uniform dragging at me, my boots threatening to pull me under. As I tore off my clothes I found the little vial of laudanum I had hidden in my breast pocket, and I stored it for you."
"Where?" Carmen murmured, trying to picture the scene.
"Later I might show you," he whispered suggestively into her reddening ear, "but now you must listen to how I suffered for our cause."
Relentlessly the moist breath continued in Carmen's ear, telling her how he swam to the shore exhausted, knowing that El Zorro would be taking the children to the mission for safekeeping until they could be returned to their parents. Trusting that the ship would be safe at anchor, Halligan walked the ten miles to Carmen's hacienda, turning over and over in his mind his plan to attack the mission. Zorro was clearly the ally of Father Sandoz now, which would make his attack on the mill all the more difficult. Arriving at the hacienda as dawn was breaking, Halligan found Carmen hysterical and desperate in Don Miguel's baffled care. Footsore and chilled through, Halligen committed himself to a long soak in the large tin tub while servants poured hot water over his yellow hair and scrubbed his salt-covered body. Meanwhile, Don Miguel retired gratefully after dosing Carmen with laudanum and watching her sink into a drug-enduced drowse.
"And so here we are," Halligan finished, "together at last."
Carmen struggled under his weight, feeling a rising desire in spite of her fury at his irony, his insults, and his contempt. But just as they were about to consummate their loveless impulses, a gentle tap came at the door and Don Miguel entered hesitantly, amid a cloud of apologies.
"Please forgive me, Captain," he exclaimed, bowing. "I am so happy to see you well, Dona Carmen... so happy to see you recovered, sir... my pleasure indeed."
Swinging his feet to the floor and thrusting Carmen to the corner of the settee, Halligan rose and slapped Don Miguel's shoulder so hard that the smaller man staggered. "Welcome, amigo! We were just discussing our mutual future."
"Ah! Well... how may I be of service?" Don Miguel's innate courtesy came to the surface, though he desperately wanted to leave the hacienda, Dona Carmen, and all this mess to return the gaming tables of San Francisco. Halligan held most of his debtors' I.O.U.s, however, which made Don Miguel nothing more than the captain's indentured servant. He had come to plead with Halligan to let him go, but Halligan's greeting made the question die in his throat.
"We need a new plan, now that El Zorro has returned," Halligan said.
Don Miguel turned pale and sat down heavily in the leather chair beside the settee. "R-returned?" he stammered. "El Z-zorro? Are you sure, mi captain?"
"No," Halligan said with pointed irony, "I'm not sure at all, since the man who stole the children from my ship's hold was dressed in black and wearing a mask." The captain's piercing blue eyes bored into the cowering don. "He was a swordsman unmatched by any other than myself," Halligan snapped. "I rather doubt it was Zorro."
"Forgive me, mi captain." Don Miguel bowed from his seat, wiping his linen handkerchief across his brow. "Of course you are right, that is El Zorro."
"Have you seen him before?"
"Certainly, mi captain," Don Miguel answered. "After the mine blew up and we lost the chance to buy Alta California from Santa Ana, El Zorro was everywhere, threatening every don with exposure if we did not assist in returning the desaparacidos to their homes, and to remain silent about the existence of so much gold. We don't know where it is of course," Don Miguel went on, "because the carriage windows were covered. But I saw it myself." His eyes sparkled with the memory, ...mountains of golden ingots!
Don Miguel did not notice the look of confusion developing into intense interest on Captain Halligan's face.
"Oh, yes, mi captain," Don Miguel continued heatedly, animated by the memory. "Zorro came right through my bedroom window one night and woke me with the point of his sword at my...," Don Miguel gazed hastily at Dona Carmen, "...my, um, neck, yes, it was my neck. He somehow knew that I was gambling away the fortune my father left me. He threatened to expose my weak financial position and trigger a run on my debts if I did not swear myself to secrecy and give twenty horses...," Don Miguel's voice rose in indignation, "...twenty of my beautiful palominos to those riff-raff deaparacidos!"
"And did you keep your secret, amigo?" Halligan asked in a silky voice, his blue eyes glittering.
"Oh, yes," Don Miguel chirped, nodding his head like a woodpecker. "I never told a soul!"
As it dawned upon him that he was telling the secret he had sworn to keep, his jaw dropped in dismay while Halligan threw back his head and laughed with a spontaneous joy that made Dona Carmen giggle nervously in response. Don Miguel was appalled at his mistake.
"Ay, por dios!" he cried, leaping from his chair and seizing Captain Halligan by the arm. "Por favor! Don't tell anyone I told you, or Zorro will do what he threatened! He will cut off my...," Don Miguel gazed around wildly, his courtesy controlling him even in this desperate moment. "...my neck!"
"Don't worry, Senor Sphinx," Halligan drawled, shaking off the smaller man. "Your secret is safe with me."
Relighting the cigar he had abandoned earlier, Halligan seemed to be lost in clouds of thought as Dona Carmen and Don Miguel stared at him in nervous silence.
"Mountains of gold, eh?" he muttered to himself. "Well, Senor Zorro, we have more to fight over than one paltry little mission, don't we?"
Episode 2: Emilio and Alejandro Hatch a Plan
"Were going to have another baby!" Alejandro yelled, throwing his arms around his delighted wife and dancing her around the garden. "Gracias a Dios!" he cried, kissing Elena again and again, on her eyes, her mouth her cheeks, her hands, alternately hugging her close and flinging her away at arms length to see if his precious little cargo was showing its presence yet.
"I see you, mi nino!" he laughed, kneeling before his wife and addressing her stomach. "You've hidden from your Papa long enough!" and he kissed Elena's barely rounded belly on both sides, as if he were kissing the two cheeks of a treasured friend.
"Get up, mi esposo!" she cried, pulling at Alejandro by his glossy curls. "Let's take this baby inside out of the night air." As they walked back to the house laughing and hugging each other, Alejandro reflected once again on his miraculous turn of fortune. Only two years ago he had been what his master, Don Diego, had called a pitiful thief, robbing honest people of their payrolls and living a scruffy, dead-end life. He had no hope of marriage or children, no chance to settle down or act on his better instincts. The only good in his life had been his brother, Joaquin, who had been brutally murdered by the vicious Captain Love.
Yet into this dismal life of failure had come the splendid Zorro, the aged but elegant Fox who had shown Alejandro how to redeem himself in the face of disaster, even as El Zorro himself, Don Diego de la Vega, had survived hideous injustice and returned to save his daughter and the people of California from the infamous Rafael Montero. "Well," thought Alejandro, "you saved me, too, Maestro, and now you have a third grandchild on the way!" To his wife he said, "If it's a boy, he'll be Diego, of course."
"Its a boy," Elena murmured to her husband. "I can feel it."
"That means it's a girl for sure!" he laughed, as Elena punched him on the arm. "So we'll name her Maria del Carmen, for the blessed mother who watches over this garden of California."
Just as he bent to give Elena one last kiss before the next kiss he planned to give her, Morning Dove came hurrying into the room. "Don Alejandro," she said. "Father Emilio is outside, with a little boy."
"Show them in right away, Morning Dove," he said, straightening his clothes and running his fingers hastily through is hair.
"Come to the kitchen when you're finished, Morning Dove," Elena said, "and we'll prepare some supper for the Father and his charge. It's a long trip from the mission!"
Morning Dove led Father Sandoz and little Billy through the velvet curtains, and then left with a curtsey. The handsome priest and little boy stood in the large parlor of Don Alejandro Bartolo de Castillo's hacienda waiting for their host to greet them. Assuming the posture and languid gaze of a Spanish don, Alejandro strode across the room to the priest, bowing to him and offering the polite, slightly supercilious smile that Don Diego de la Vega had taught him. "Charm!" he thought to himself, as he always did when making this transition.
"Father Sandoz!" he said in his most elegant voice. "You honor this house with your presence. Please make yourself comfortable while my wife prepares some refreshment."
"Forgive me, Don Alejandro," the priest said, holding Billy by the shoulders as the boy stared slack-jawed at his surroundings. It was the first time the poor child had ever seen the trappings of a great household.
"And a good thing, too," Alejandro thought, as he guided the priest and the child to a comfortable sofa, "or that boy might recognize something about me as Zorro."
Don Alejandro took a chair opposite the sofa and leaned back into it, resisting the impulse to bend forward eagerly the way Alejandro Murietta would do. "How delighted I am to see you, Father, and one of your little charges as well," he said, waving a hand delicately through the air. "I hope the night air doesn't give you a chill, after such a long drive."
Ignoring the priest's protests, Don Alejandro clapped his hands and called in a voice ringing with authority, "Marianna! Venga! Bring shawls for our guests!" The girl rushed in and out of the room again as Alejandro turned to the protesting priest with a little smile. "They're so slow, these servants of mine, but my wife is devoted to them."
"Don Alejandro...," the priest began, but was immediately cut off.
"No, I protest! Not a single word until you are comfortable!" Don Alejandro gazed at the pair on the sofa with condescending fondness, as if a favorite dog had just performed a clever trick. Father Emilio and Billy could offer no resistance or even a single word of explanation until they had been wrapped in soft shawls, plied with warm wine and hot chocolate, fed tempting little dishes called tapas--olives, morsels of seafood, tortilla espaola, patatas en alioli--and had their hands and faces massaged with damp linen handkerchiefs. Only when the pair had submitted to these ministrations, and when Elena had led Billy out of the parlor to show him to Joaquin's room, did Don Alejandro permit the priest to state his business.
"Don Alejandro," Emilio began cautiously, expecting the Spaniard to interrupt him again with some token of comfort-- but this time the elegant don lounging across from him regarded the priest with his deep brown eyes suffused with interest. "Where have I seen those eyes before?" the priest thought in passing. "You know," he began again, "that there have been a series of dangerous incidents in the community--kidnappings, fires, threats made against the mission."
"Ah, yes," Don Alejandro said. "Weren't the children returned safely to their homes?"
"Yes, thanks to Zorro."
"Ah, yes... El Zorro, the legendary bandit!"
"Forgive me, Don Alejandro, but El Zorro is not a bandit. He is the friend of the people."
"Perhaps," Alejandro sighed, raising a skeptical eyebrow, "but is he a friend of the dons?"
"Not all of them, surely." Emilio's chocolate-brown eyes and Alejandro's coffee-brown eyes met each other as if they were reflections in a mirror. The priest wondered if Don Alejandro could be trusted, while Alejandro Murietta wondered if his performance as a lofty Spanish don was really fooling the priest, who had seen him so recently as his ally and friend, El Zorro.
"Well," rejoined the handsome young don, "if this Fox person continues to run about the countryside threatening people he can hardly expect to be popular!"
"Has Zorro threatened you, Don Alejandro?"
"Mmmmm...," the young don gazed off into the garden, affecting a pleasant expression that said, "Let's change the subject," a hint the priest was not slow to notice.
"Forgive me once again, Don Alejandro. It is none of my business--and I'm afraid I have not yet told you the business at hand."
"Pray, continue," the elegant young don invited, waving his handkerchief and smiling kindly at the priest.
"It is only that I fear a new attack on the mission, and on our new mill, from some power that is attempting to drive the church from its holdings here in California. As you know, the Holy Mother Church has not been sending the support we need to keep the mission going, and I am expected to make the olives and wheat farming support all the people who turn to me for help. I think I could make our enterprises succeed if it were not for the mysterious forces that seem to be working against me."
"And why do you bring this problem to me, Father Sandoz, if you do not mind my asking? I have tithed to the church, surely? If not I will have my accountant punished immediately!"
Emilio gazed at the arrogant young man facing him--the liquid brown eyes, the slender figure, the black hair curling around his ears--so like the priest himself in everything but generosity. "And yet," Emilio thought... "there was something so familiar, so...loving!"
"No," the priest thought again. "I must be imagining that part. Wishful thinking."
"I bring you the problem," Emilio started again, because you have small children who could be kidnapped by these people, whoever they are."
"Surely they only kidnap the children of the poor, God forgive them?"
"Are you willing to gamble that they will not decide to kidnap for ransom?"
Once again the two men stared at each other, as if into some strange mirror.
"Do you threaten me, Senor?" the don asked coldly. "Or members of my family?"
"Of course not, Don Alejandro!" Emilio said, appalled and sorry to have been misunderstood. "I merely point out that it is very short sighted for the dons to consider threats against the mission as a problem for the people only. It is in your interests to protect the people who work in your houses and labor in your fields."
"Of course, of course," said Don Alejandro, his smile like the sun breaking through clouds. Alejandro rose and joined the priest on the sofa, shocked at himself for his sudden hostility at the idea of anything happening to his precious babies. His whole manner to the priest was now congenial. "Only tell me how to help you and I will do it! Is it money? Name the amount and it is yours!"
"Yes, Don Alejandro, it is money. But far more than you or any don could provide. I have reason to believe that there is a sum of money to be had that would protect the mission and work for the people beyond any private fortune."
"No!" The young don's eyes widened in disbelief. "As much as that?"
Emilio thought he detected a note of humor in his counterpart's tone, but dismissed it as improbable. "I've brought Billy with me to tell you about rumors he has heard among some of the people."
Quickly the child was called back into the parlor, and encouraged to speak up as Elena sat beside him and Emilio nodded support.
"Mi padre has a brother who disappeared for a long time. Papa says he was a desparacido, a disappeared one, and that lots of people had to go work in a mine and make gold. Then all the gold was in a lot of carts and my tio was locked in the mine, but he could see out and saw a big shower of gold, like the rain, come down the cliff before El Zorro saved him and all the other desaparacidos and the mine blew up!" Billy had gotten over being shy in front of the handsome don and was telling his story with gusto.
"Tell me, muchacho," Don Alejandro said, forgetting his arrogant pose and leaning forward warmly. "Did your tio tell you where the mine was located?"
"Oh, yes," the boy said. "He knows where it is! Everyone does! And all the gold is there, too!"
"Thank you, muchacho," Alejandro said, indicating to Elena that it was too late for the boy to go back to the mission and that he and the priest should stay the night. "We need time to talk, Father," he said, as Elena led the boy away to bed down with Joaquin and his niera.
They discussed the situation long into the night, Don Alejandro confessing to the priest that he, along with all the dons, had known about the gold for two years, explaining Don Montero's plan to buy Alta California in order to create their own nation. The plan had been foiled by El Zorro, Don Alejandro said, and he had been threatened into silence by the Fox, who would expose him and all the other dons to Santa Ana's armies if they ever went after the gold again.
"But Don Alejandro," the priest argued, "surely El Zorro would not expose any don who hoped to recover the gold for the people. I need someone in your position to protect us from the other dons if we try to recover the gold."
"How could I do that, Father Emilio?"
"You are an insider. You see the dons at their haciendas all the time. You know the governor, and the emissaries from Spain. If any word escapes as we attempt to retrieve the gold, you could notify us."
"How do you plant to retrieve the gold, may I ask?"
"El Zorro will help us!"
"How? Does El Zorro have the money to purchase excavation equipment, to pay laborers, buy horses?"
"The people mined the gold once, Don Alejandro. They can mine it again."
"Do you know what would happen to me if word escaped that I was your spy?"
"No one will know that but you and me, Don Alejandro."
"And El Zorro?"
"Well," said the priest, "he would have to know, too." Seeing Don Alejandro's skeptical face, Emilio rushed to reassure him. "You can trust Zorro, Don Alejandro! I swear on the Bible!"
"Hmph," Don Alejandro snorted, rising from the sofa and looking down on the priest, as like him as a twin. I hesitate to trust a man who gallops up and down in masquerade, waving his sword and frightening people. But if you trust him, Father, then I will too."
And with that the men embraced, looking into each others faces with a
strange contentment; the priest as if he were with an old friend, the don
as if he had gained back, in an odd way, the brother he had lost to Captain
Love.