The girl peered over the windowsill. "Diego is here!" She and her sister vied for full view in the mirror. One young lady pinched her cheeks as if she had said the thing she was thinking, and the other young lady pulled her breasts up as far as she could to make a cleavage on her all-too-decent neckline. A third young woman stood leaning against the foyer wall with her arms crossed in front of her, quiet and observing.
"Father, tell Violette she is not to speak French to Diego. It is not polite to speak when we can't understand the words," said Estacia.
Don Alonzo sighed. "Violette, no French."
"Tio Alejandro! It is so good to see you!" said Estacia.
"Is Diego coming, too? Oh, there you are, Diego, I didn't even notice you," said Estrella.
Diego whispered, "Uncle?" in his father's ear. Alejandro shrugged his shoulders. Both young ladies giggled and hugged the men's necks. Diego glanced with question at Violette who was standing against the wall.
Violette offered a little wave and a shake of her head. "Guten tag, Diego." Her next sentence in German caused Diego to emit a hardy chuckle.
"Oh, Diego, we have you and your father's room all ready. Bring in your bags, won't you?" said Estacia.
"Well, our baggage is at the inn with our manservant," replied Diego.
"Impossible!" cried Estrella. "It just would be ungentlemanly to refuse us; we went to so much trouble." Just then an older lady was helped from a carriage. She entered with her maid.
"Grandmother!" said Estrella and Estacia in unison.
"I am feeling better, and I really wanted to attended your parents' twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Is the guestroom spoken for? I know you did not expect me," said the old lady kindly.
"Please, Seņora, you must have our room," said Alejandro with a quick eye movement to Diego. Both girls pursed their lips.
"Abuelita, you would be more comfortable in my room, don't you think?" offered Violette. The other girls perked up and smiled at their older sister. Diego's face fell.
"Yes, and I will take the guest room," added Violette as she winked at Diego.
"Dinner is served," said the housekeeper. The guests filed into the dining area where a long table was beautifully set. Quickly Estacia and Estrella rushed to sit on either side of Diego while Violette waited for an empty seat. She was rewarded with a perch between Don Franco, who had bristly white hairs on his eyebrows and his ear tops, and Don Martino, who aided his hearing by the use of a gold-plated horn. Of course, the horn was on Violette's side.
Each time Diego put a bite to his mouth, one of his neighbors had a question to ask. His soup was nearly cold before he took a mouthful, but no matter, for it was removed for the next course. Estrella made a fuss over him when she knocked his glass of wine onto his maroon suit. She wiped his jacket quite vigorously while chiding him of needing someone to take care of him.
After dinner, Estacia, strategically placed herself near Diego so he could catch her
when the vapors made her dizzy. She thanked him quite breathlessly. Violette strolled over to Diego and told him help was on the way, for the richest, most eligible young man in the territory had just arrived.
Just as she had predicted, the vulture twins escorted Don Reale into the parlor. Violette took a seat on the velvet couch and watched the crowd.
"May I join you, Seņorita Violette?" Diego said.
"Yes, of course, Diego. Sit," she answered.
"I thank you most heartily for taking the guest room. Business here in Santa Barbara necessitates us to be here after the anniversary festivities. We would be more, uh, comfortable at the inn. My father desires to add new blood to our cattle. There are some fine bulls here."
"We used to have the finest bulls in California, many of them. My father has unfortunately chosen poorly as of late. Our cattle are not numbered as they were when I was young. Each year it seems to get worse. He has tried, the dear man, to increase our fortune, but I am afraid he has had some bad luck. We had a drought, the remaining steer became ill, and then a scoundrel cheated my father with a scheme. So many things! If it hadn't been for Zorro, he would have lost even more. That wicked swindler could not leave fast enough! Did you know about that?"
"No!" said Diego, stroking his chin. "Good for Zorro! Perhaps he is not the bandit he is reported to be."
"Bandit? Oh, no, he is a hero. I heard he was seen yesterday taking care of a man who was beating his horse. When my sisters get wind of his presence, well, I feel sorry for him! They will spare no manipulation to get his attention. To tell you the truth, Seņor Zorro needs to take the day off tomorrow, for there is no telling what kind of web those two spiders will spin." A servant walked by with a tray of wineglasses. Diego took two and handed one to Violette.
"Violette, you are so different from your sisters. Are you still studying? Philosophy I believe it was last time?" Diego asked.
"I am different, yes. I heard my mother say she has two roses and a weed in her garden of children. Do you think you could guess who the weed is? Yes, I am still studying. I have been reading about Egyptian history. Did you know that the pigment 'Egyptian Brown' is made from grinding mummy flesh? Artists like it because the color is stable and does not fade. They originally called it 'mummy brown' but when people heard the name they could figure out what it really was. It is quite fashionable to travel to Egypt, you know, and the favorite souvenir is a mummified finger or toe. Interesting, no?"
"Oh, Violette! I always learn something when I see you. I have never met any girl like you before," said Diego with a smile. "What a fascinating life you will offer some lucky caballero."
"Uhm, not too likely, truly. As dowries go, my father will be hard pressed to offer them. Logically, he will try to marry off his pretty daughters first, hoping to gain a profitable alliance. Then, when he can offer a hefty sum, he will work on my husband," Violette said sensibly.
"Violette, if I was the marrying kind, you would be the type of girl I would want," Diego said and kissed her hand.
"I have often wondered why you, such a handsome Don, have not been caught by a clever seņorita! I think it would be a most 'engaging' conversation to hear why you are not the marrying kind."
"What a sense of humor you have, Violette! 'Engaging!' You make me laugh," he said with a grin. "Mmmm, this wine is wonderful. It has a mild flavor of... wild berries? I don't think I have tasted anything quite like it. Yes, quite tasty."
"Well, that is one good investment Father made. A few years ago one of the dons decided to return to Spain. His wife left her heart there, I suppose. He sold off some of his specialty roots and this was one. Now, these grapes are very small, seedy, and have a strong flavor. As wine grapes they are bitter, but as a flavoring, they can create wonderful flavors by blending with different varietals. The flavor you are thinking of is wild cherry. We have the only plants, in this continent, I believe! I have been working with Father on different recipes. This one is my recipe. I guess you approve!" explained Violette.
"You are something special, Violette," Diego said.
"Not bad for a weed, no?" she said smiling.
"A rose by any other name--" retorted Diego.
"Such as violet?" she asked. They both laughed. Their mild laughter was augmented by the laughter of Estacia and Estrella who had both sides of Don Reale attended as they passed by.
Don Reale looked as if he did not understand what was going on. One girl would ask a question and the other girl would ask another before he had time to respond to the first query.
"Your parents know Don Reale's family?" asked Diego.
"No, he has been invited to see what marriage goods are available," she answered. "A regular bazaar. You can insert either meaning of the word bizarre here, you know."
Diego laughed a little harder this time, and touched each side of his lip with his handkerchief. "Violette you must come to our hacienda. We have a wonderful library, and I know you could truly appreciate it."
"Oh, Diego, I like your family too much to visit. Do you really think I could come alone?" she said seriously.
"Quite, true," he said with pretended fear.
The two friends sat and watched as Don Reale's manservant approached and whispered into his master's ear. After a second Don Reale bowed to each Tranio sister and made an exit.
"What would you like to wager..." said Violette.
"That his servant saw his predicament and called him away?" finished Diego. "I hope mine would do the same. Oh! Excuse me, Violette... I don't mean..."
"I know what you mean, and if he didn't do something, I would fire him!" she said. "Diego, the snake sisters will be on you soon, and I need to help Mother and Father say goodnight to the guests. While I am not suggesting you leave..."
"Uhm, I think I will find my father and call it a night! See you tomorrow at the fiesta. Good night, sweet Violette," said Diego. He held her hand to his lips. "Good night."
"Vaya con Dios, Diego," whispered Violette as she watched the tall caballero walk away. She stood and started towards her parents. As she passed the large hall mirror she stopped to take a long look at herself. She sighed and walked on.
The morning was beautiful, clear and mild. It was a wonderful day for a fiesta. The guests arrived in constant streams; there was laughter and happy music. The games were energetic and competitive. An anniversary was cause to celebrate. A twenty-fifth anniversary was cause for a fiesta.
Diego, Bernardo, and Alejandro watched the activities with pleasure. They even made a few bets on the impromptu horse race. At the end of the race, while everyone was cheering, an unknown horseman swooped down and grabbed Estacia. His horse thundered away.
It took a few minutes to discern her bellowing from the whoops of the cheering audience. As a reflex, Bernardo made the "Z" in the air, but Diego shook his head against it.
Alejandro made his way to Diego with a question on his face, but Diego gave him the same shake.
Within the hour Estacia returned, hair windblown and a little disappointed. Later in the afternoon Estrella elected herself to dispense the presents to her parents. As she placed each one on the receiving table, the pile grew. As she stood at the almost groaning table, to the surprise of the guests, and armed gunman appeared and ordered her to take an armful and leave with him.
Once again, Bernardo and Alejandro looked in amazement at Diego's silent refusal to offer aid. Within the hour, somehow the presents reappeared along with Estrella.
Late afternoon brought siesta, where ladies and gentlemen separated for a rest. It was quiet in the gardens of Don Alonzo Tranio. Servants worked softly, and the breeze gently blew. The evening promised to magnify the festival with a great party. The musicians set up in the plaza.
During the lull between siesta's end and the beginning to the night's party, Diego had a chat with his long time-friend Don Felix Reale. Normally reserved, Don Reale was glad to speak with a recognized compadre.
The dancing was as lively as the music and as pleasurable as the food and drink. Diego sought out Estrella, which, of course, meant Estacia would soon follow. He walked with them arm and arm out into the garden to see the lovely full moon. Peals of laughter and witty retort fell on the fair breezes in the fragrant garden. Diego charmed the lovely young seņoritas until early morning. All guests were thoroughly exhausted as carriages departed the Tranio hacienda.
The final event, the buffet luncheon in the plaza, was elegant. Often more great business deals are done over a table of food than a meeting table. This was no exception. Alejandro traded one of his newly acquired bulls for a few of the small, bitter grape roots. And at the end of the meal, Don Tranio made an announcement.
The studious, shy and very rich Don Felix Reale had asked for the hand of his eldest daughter, Violette, and he had whole-heartedly accepted the proposal. Almost everyone attending the affair applauded and congratulated the young people. Two of the guests stomped upstairs.
There were many fond good-byes. As Violette stood next to the carriage, she said her good-byes to Diego and his companions.
"I see Zorro heeded my advice and took the day off yesterday. Except for maybe some valuable conversation," she said quietly.
"You couldn't mean me, Violette, could you?" Diego said incredulously.
"No," she said. "Of course I don't mean you." She closed the carriage door with a very wry smile.
