PART FOUR
Half an hour later, Toni appeared at the breakfast table with not a speck of dust on her. Diego was watching her with a mesmerizing smile.
“Toni, after breakfast I would like to talk to you regarding your morning rides.” Diego said. After breakfast they went to the patio and Diego asked, “Would you mind if I waited for you on the patio every morning; just to be sure everything is all right.”
“No, Diego, I don’t mind. Why would everything not be all right? However, I am very flattered that you are concerned for my safety. I will look forward to meeting you every morning."
The next day, Diego, Toni, and Bernardo spent a full day in the pueblo. “Bernardo, I have errands of my own to do. Please escort Toni to the dress shop. See that she gets anything she wants. We’ll meet later in the Tavern.”
Bernardo escorted Toni to the dress shop and sometime later she had narrowed her selection to three dresses. She was about to ask Bernardo which one he liked and remembered he isn’t supposed to hear.
Bernardo was standing by the front window with his back to her. She tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to face her and she gestured that he read her lips and asked him which dress he liked the best. Bernardo casts a quick glance at the storekeeper and Toni caught his meaning. The shopkeeper was watching them curiously.
Toni turned to the shopkeeper and said, “He can’t hear but he can read lips very well.” Having settled the shopkeeper’s curiosity, Toni returned to the task at hand. Again she faced Bernardo and asked which dress. Bernardo contemplates a minute and signed, //He liked all three.//
Toni remarked, “I can’t take all three of them, one is enough.”
Bernardo shook his head ‘no’ and signed, //Take all three.// Not wanting to cause a scene in the store she reluctantly agreed. Bernardo saw a necklace in the case that he thought she would like and gestured to the shopkeeper to show it to her. Toni was looking at some scarves on another table when Bernardo tapped her shoulder.
He pointed to the jewelry case where the necklace was laying. He signed, //Do you like it?// Toni looked at the necklace and decided that the stones on it were a bit large for her liking and shook her head “no.” She then saw a more delicate one in the case. She asked to see it.
She turned to face Bernardo and said, “This one is more delicate. What do you think?” Bernardo agreed and the necklace became part of her purchases along with earrings to match.
After all the purchases were selected, Bernardo handed the shopkeeper a note that indicated everything was to be placed on the de la Vega’s credit. The shopkeeper nodded ‘yes’ and helped Bernardo place the purchases into the carriage.
Several days before the party, Diego and Toni rehearsed some Spanish dance steps. Since she was not familiar with Spanish dances, she wanted to be sure she can follow his leads when it became time for them to dance. She was a bit tense in the beginning, but eventually she learned to relax as she grew more confident with the steps.
Saturday, July 12
The day of the party arrived and the guests were starting to make their appearance. As she listens to the sound of the music coming from the patio, Toni was becoming nervous and was almost reluctant to attend.
Cresencia had been helping her to get ready and said, “Señorita you look so ravishing there isn’t any need to be nervous.”
“Cresencia, you have been such a good friend and I appreciate all you have done for me. I just want Don Alejandro to accept me as you have.”
Cresencia remarked, “Ah, men. They are all alike—they don’t know when they have a good thing going for them. Give Don Alejandro time, he’ll come around. When I see you and Don Diego together, I know the two of you are meant for each other.”
Toni then embraced Cresencia. “Thank you, Cresencia. I needed to hear that. Padre Felipe said the same thing about giving it time, but how much time is time? Tears were in Toni’s eyes but she managed to hold them back.
Because Toni had been a bit nervous, she was slow in arriving at the party. Diego found Bernardo and quietly said to him, “Bernardo take a few minutes and see what is taking Toni so long to appear?”
Bernardo goes to Toni’s room to check on her. He found Cresencia helping her with the last touches. Toni saw Bernardo through the window and motioned him to come in. She faced him and pointed to her lips meaning for him to read them. He nodded ‘yes’.
“Bernardo, I’m so nervous about meeting those people but I don’t want to disappoint Diego, either.”
Bernardo smiled and gave her a big hug and a peck on the cheek. Facing him again she asked what he thought about her dress. He smiled widely and signed, //Magnificent!//
She was now ready and took a deep breath as Bernardo escorted her through the bedroom door and proceeded down the steps. She was wearing a beautiful yellow dress with a lacy top and a taffeta skirt. Flowers from the garden were in her hair. The delicate diamond/pearl necklace surrounded her neck and the matching earrings sparkled on her ears. She also wore shoes to match her dress. She was a sight to be admired.
Don Alejandro was the first to see her appear with Bernardo. He was also surprised at how beautiful she looked. He motioned to Diego and when Diego saw her he was overwhelmed at the sight before his eyes.
Breathtaking! He commented to himself. All eyes seem to be on her as she descended the steps on Bernardo’s arm.
Magdalena asked Don Alejandro, “Who is that lovely creature.”
Don Alejandro explained to her that she is an Americano and has been a guest for several months. He proceeded to tell Magdalena about the riding accident, Jeff, their trip—the whole works.
“Diego has been very attracted to her, but I’m sure that will pass when she returns East.” Don Alejandro remarked.
The party went on for several hours. Diego and Toni dance together several times, but Diego as a host, must be polite, and dance with the other women as well. Toni was gracious to all the guests and was becoming accepted by everyone.
Diego approached her and stated, “Toni, if you will excuse me a few minutes, Father wants to speak to me in the sala. I shouldn’t be too long.”
Now that his Father had him alone he said, “While all our friends are here, why don’t we announce your engagement to Magdalena?”
Diego furiously said, “No! No! That would be premature and besides I hardly know the woman. I think this party should end. It has gone on long enough.”
After all the guests had departed, Diego and Toni take a moonlight walk outside the hacienda. While they were strolling along Toni looked skyward. The heavens were sparkling with stars that reminded her of diamonds. She was feeling a happiness she hadn’t felt in many years.
“Oh look Diego, there goes a shooting star. Should we make a wish on it.” She turned to face Diego and at that precise moment another shooting star flew across the sky and again their eyes met.
He caressed her face and said, “Toni, you look so beautiful tonight and you made a good impression on the entire crowd. I’m so proud of you. Even Father was amazed at how beautiful and gracious you were.” She was overcome with joy as they embraced and kissed under the star lit sky.
But darling, she said to herself, those words were not what I wanted to hear. Back in her room with the moonlight shining through the window, Toni reflected on the evening’s event. I was so sure he was going to say he loved me, but again he held back. Oh Padre, how long must I be patient?"
Table of Contents
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Five
