Part Three
“Diego, you look so pale are you still not well?” He looked up at her. A cloud drifted over the warm sun and under his hat his face was cast in shade. Anna Maria shivered.
“Are you cold? I shall go back and get your shawl.”
“No, Diego. I am fine. I really like it here.” She was feeling uncomfortable but not from the absence of the sun. Again there was that disturbing feeling she had as a child.
“Diego, remember I told you how terrible I felt when I realized last night that I had walked into your room and you were there?” In the carriage they had already spoken about how he had felt unwell and no one woke him when she had arrived. She began to tell him how she and her cousin had found themselves in the den of a fox.
Diego threw his head back and laughter shook him. “So you felt as though you were in the den of a fox last night?”
“Diego, I did not think it was so amusing.” But his laughter made her laugh too. “In a place such as this there must be many dens of many wild animals,” she said.
“Perhaps even a hiding place for Zorro, eh?”
He had said what she was thinking.
Diego recalled when Tornado was a young colt in training in this canyon. Many people believed that to train a horse you must first break his spirit. This was not what he would ever do. He remembered guiding Tornado and slowly, gently letting the horse know what was wanted of him. The horse responded to him not because of force but because he wanted to. Diego wanted to guide Anna Maria. He wanted her to come to him because she wanted to - not to Zorro but to him as Diego. But this would take time. Anna Maria would be gone from here tomorrow and Diego was not willing to let her go this time.
“Anna Maria, what would you do if Zorro appeared over there at the top of that hill?”
“I think I would wait here until he came down and then if he wanted to carry me off with him I would go with him.”
“But you do not know him, Anna Maria.”
“I know him well enough, Diego.”
“You know him as Zorro only. You cannot believe that he crawls to some den or cave and remains there until he is needed. He must be out in the world. He must earn a living. He must gather information. He must by day be an ordinary person. Could you love an ordinary man?”
“But he is not ordinary, Diego.”
“He must seem ordinary or else he would draw attention to himself. He must be able to move about in society and blend in with other men. He must be someone whom no one would suspect to be Zorro. As you look about you, Anna Maria, are you looking for such a man or do you think that you will be able to find him because he will be different in his look or his manner?
”The last thing Zorro said to me was that I have only to look about me. That is all I have been doing since then, Diego!” She was angry - the sting of tears in her eyes. She did not want to do this in front of Diego. She was angry with him for pressing her on this private matter. And yet she wanted to talk about Zorro.
They had been intent on each other. They did not notice that about 20 meters away Bernardo had walked by and entered the hidden cave.
“I am sorry, Anna Maria. But I must say this - I love you, Anna Maria, with all my heart. You must realize this by now. It is one thing to have a rival in love such as Ricardo. But for me to try to compete with someone that people consider almost supernatural … I only want you to look at this. You only know part of who Zorro is. You may think you know me or Ricardo – no, I speak only for myself now. You may think you know me, Anna Maria, but just as with Zorro, you only know a part of me.”
“Diego,” she said softly. She would not want to hurt her friend for anything but he must be made to understand that she would not consider any other man except Zorro. “Diego, I care very much about you as a dear friend. I do know you. You are the most handsome man in this pueblo, a truly gentle and kind man. Any woman would be lucky to have you as a husband but Diego, I will marry for love. There is no room for anyone but Zorro in my life.”
Diego was tired and he had lost patience. He had come this far and he was going to see this through. He wanted to lead her the short distance to the cave. He wanted to show her just how very close they were to his home, to the den of the fox. He was not going to take any more time to gently guide her to him with careful hints. He would have to force her to see what he wanted her to see, whether she was ready or not and whatever the consequences to him.
He looked intently at her - and took a breath to speak.
“Diego, look!”
He turned and approaching slowly and quietly was the large, graceful black figure of Tornado. Somehow he had been released from the cave. The horse lowered his head as he walked slowly and silently toward them.
“Diego, where did he come from? He is the most beautiful horse I have ever seen.”
Tornado nuzzled Diego and suddenly the horse raised his head, responding to a clapping sound behind him. Standing at the still hidden cave entrance was Bernardo signaling the horse to return. The black stallion turned and trotted back toward the cave where Bernardo held back the branches that obscured the entrance.
Anna Maria stood up, mesmerized and confused. Wordlessly she followed the horse toward Bernardo at the mouth of the cave. Diego followed her. What was Bernardo doing?
She followed Tornado into the cave opening. The cracks and crevices in the rocks overhead allowed the dappled sunlight to guide her way and in the darkness beyond there was a dim light from a lantern.
No one spoke. Anna Maria could scarcely breathe. Bernardo stayed with the black horse in the cave while Diego trailed her as she slowly followed the path that was lit by lanterns along the way. Anna Maria ascended the crude stone steps and wound her way toward the den of the Fox. Her heart pounded almost as much as when she had been frightened in another cave so long ago. Up more winding stairs Anna Maria followed the light of the lanterns that Bernardo had carefully placed to guide her way to Zorro. Finally, in a small room lit only by a single candle she saw a simple table and pegs on the wall. On one peg a glittering silver sword gave back the light of the candle a thousand-fold. Next to it on another peg hung a long, shimmering black cape and over that, a black hat with a silver band.
From behind her Anna Maria heard the rustle of the silk lining of Diego’s jacket as he reached his long arm passed her. She jumped, having almost forgotten that Diego was still with her. Wordlessly he moved forward and reached for a ring on the stone wall to the left of a wood panel. He twisted the ring and the panel slowly pivoted open. Anna Maria stepped through the opening. She gasped and put her hand to her mouth. She turned to face Diego, her eyes wide with disbelief as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing. He looked down at her, waiting motionless. He, too, could scarcely breathe. Anna Maria stepped toward him. He reached for her and pulling her to him, he enfolded her in his arms. Her silent tears and her embrace told him more than words could say.
“My Dear Brother,
I hope this letter finds you well. I hope also that your business in Spain is drawing to a close. Anna Maria and I are looking after your affairs here in Monterey, I think to your satisfaction. I write to you today about your dear daughter who is as precious to me as if she were my own child. You must know this or you would not have entrusted me to watch over her and to provide guidance for her in your absence.
With this in mind please let me tell you that on this very day Don Alejandro’s son, Diego de la Vega has asked for Anna Maria’s hand in marriage. This may come as a great surprise to you. I know that it did to me, as I have known for a long time that she was in love with the outlaw, Zorro.
I must say that when Don Diego came to me I was much relieved that at last your dear daughter had come to her senses. Having ascertained that this is Anna Maria’s wish – may I say that I had only to look upon her face to know this – I granted permission for the engagement. I did this on your behalf, my brother. I am certain that this is what you would have done if you were here in California. I am quite sure you also would have been rendered powerless to do otherwise once you had seen her face.
As I have said I hope your business in Spain draws to a close. Even as I write this letter Anna Maria is in the room of her cousin, Milana. Judging from the laughter and ceaseless chatter, wedding plans are being made.
With kindest regards, your brother
Enrique Fuente de Verdugo”
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Don Alejandro watched his son as he waited for his bride. If a man could be radiant, then that is how his son looked. The wedding would take place at the mission church. Diego stood outside next to the gleaming carriage that would soon transport the new husband and wife back to the de la Vega hacienda for the most lavish party that had ever been given there. Even on Don Alejandro’s own wedding day he could not remember that there had been more candles and more flowers. If there were flowers left in all of California he would have been surprised.
Diego wore a pale gray suit, white silk shirt and a black silk banda. The suit was embroidered in white and black. It had been ordered from Spain and only arrived two weeks ago, making for a very nervous young groom-to-be.
In the mission orchard, the orange trees were in full bloom. A heavy fragrance from the white blossoms filled the air. Diego closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. In a distance he heard the sound of an approaching carriage. Without looking he knew it would be the Verdugo carriage. He turned quickly. It was time to go in. Catching a glimpse of his father watching him, Diego flashed a wide smile and saluted him before disappearing into the side entrance of the church. When Diego stepped in, the hundreds of guests who had crowded into the church became quiet. Don Alejandro had never seen his son happier.
The deep full chords from the magnificent organ that had been shipped from Spain piece by piece filled the church. Diego himself had played the organ and always loved its tone. Today he loved it even more. Today he loved everything and everyone.
The bride was beautiful in her finely made silk and lace, delicately embroidered wedding gown. She walked gracefully down the aisle with her hand resting lightly on her father’s arm. Anna Maria’s father had only just arrived from Spain two weeks ago. The suit and the father on the same ship.
Señor Verdugo kissed his daughter and passed her to Diego. He was not quite sure that it was modest or proper for Anna Maria and Diego to have such big smiles on their faces.
The organ held the last note and when the music faded into silence Padre Felipe began the ceremony.
As the padre began reading, Diego slowly ran his fingers along the embroidery on his jacket. The movement caught Ann Maria’s eye and she discretely looked at her husband-to-be. He tapped the embroidery and she looked at where his finger was resting. Suddenly she realized that the black threads embroidered along the whole edge of the jacket formed the shape of small stylized Zs. She was barely able to suppress a laugh. Her eyes watered with the effort to remain quiet. Then she slowly moved her hand upward to the bodice of her gown. She drew her finger along the lace-trimmed neckline. And this caught Diego’s eye. He looked closely. His eyes widened. Woven into the beautiful lace were tiny white Zs.
Many of the guests seated close to the couple noticed that the shoulders of both the bride and groom were shaking. Most of the guests assumed that the modest young couple was overcome with emotion. This brought tears of emotion to their eyes too. Bernardo and Don Alejandro knew better. They had seen the jacket.
After the ceremony the happy bride and groom hopped into the carriage amid cheers from their many guests. Bernardo tapped the sleek chestnut horses and they sped to the party, the new carriage glittering in the sun.
The party was large, loud and lavish. Everyone danced and laughed long into the night. Don Alejandro and the Verdugo brothers had spared no expense. Diego danced with his bride and could barely let her go when other men asked for their turn.
“Don Diego, a toast!” Sergeant Garcia raised his glass and Diego came to him and clinked glasses. “Don Diego it is good to see you so happy. Oh, I am sorry!” Garcia had splashed droplets of red wine on Diego’s jacket. He drew out a handkerchief to dab at the wine.
“Look, Don Diego, did you notice the pattern on your jacket is like little Zs all around the edge? I hope this wine will come out. Oh, and I should not say that about the little Zs so loudly. I am sorry, my friend.”
“That is all right, Sergeant. No one heard you and I do not believe I will be wearing this particular suit again. But perhaps you can borrow it for your wedding day.”
“I know you are joking about the suit, Don Diego, but the wedding day may not be so far away.”
“Oh! You have met the woman of your dreams, also?”
“Sí, Don Diego. She is the sister of the messenger from San Francisco. When I was in Monterey – well, do you remember the day of the amnesty? You were not there but it was on that day. She came to town and immediately played a trick on your friend, Ricardo. She said she was his wife. Oh, I laughed. I thought, what spirit. She is a little dumpling of a girl and she can cook. Oh, Don Diego, the meals she can make! I am so happy with her. I was going to ask you to be best man but I will not ask you today. Today it is your day, Don Diego.”
“Sergeant, nothing would make me happier than to be your best man.” He grinned broadly and clapped the sergeant on his back.
In the early morning hours before dawn Anna Maria left the party to go upstairs. Her beautiful new nightdress was laid out carefully on the bed. Diego did not follow for quite some time, giving her plenty of time to dress and comb her wavy black hair. She arranged herself and rearranged herself, going from bed to chair to bed. The sound of laughter and music from the patio filled the air. Still Diego was not there. She picked up a book from the nightstand. It was the very book she had returned to this room not so long ago.
She began to feel sleepy but before she fell asleep she felt a cold draft on her left side. A low, quiet voice whispered, “Anna Maria.” She turned. Standing in the dimly lit open doorway of the secret passageway, was the fully clad, black-masked figure of Zorro. She arose and went to him.
Zorro bent to kiss his bride. His arms reached out and as she drew close to him he enshrouded her slowly and completely in his black, shimmering cape. And in the dim light from the single lantern in the passageway it looked as though Zorro were standing alone. But he was not alone and he would never be alone again.
EL FIN
