Unwittingly, the two had wandered into a rattlesnake nest. Frozen with fear, Anna looked down at the snake, puffed up, coiled, and ready to strike. Not far to her right was yet another snake. The reptiles were huge and menacing, their tails whirring in warning.
Felipe stopped when heard it, too. He saw Anna’s outstretched hand begin to shake. His mind raced. She was in front of him, and he had no way to communicate with her. He willed her to stay still. So far, so good.
Diego had taught Felipe basic snake handling in case he came upon such a nest. Though Felipe knew what to do, it was clear that Anna did not. He had to move quickly before she jeopardized the situation. The young man looked around him. A large, weathered branch lay about four feet away from him. It looked solid, but awkward to lift.
Slowly, smoothly, he sidestepped to the branch and squatted down to lift it. It was lighter than he had expected.
At his movement, Anna turned her head towards him. Her eyes were wide, and her breath came in short gasps. Felipe raised his right hand, palm forward, to tell her to stay still. She made no movement in reply, but he knew she understood.
Felipe lifted the branch and slowly walked forward. Carefully, he walked to Anna’s side and gradually lowered the stick between her and the snake. The snake weaved its head from side to side, the rattle reverberating in their ears. Felipe straightened up; the snake had not struck. He placed one hand on Anna’s waist and one on her wrist, and then guided her backwards one step at a time until they were near the road and well away from the nest. The snake lowered his head and slithered along the branch to a nearby bush. The other snake went back to sunning.
For a prolonged minute, the two stood motionless, recovering their demeanor. Only then did they realize how close they stood to each other. Anna’s back was pressed into Felipe’s chest and the wind fanned her hair across his chin. His hands rested gently on her wrist and waist. His heart was still beating quickly. Tenderly, he moved his arms around her waist.
Anna was confused as she felt his arms surround her. It felt so good to place her arms on his and lean her head back against his chest. But what was she doing? Her future was so uncertain. How could she possibly give her heart?
She longed for Mother England, for the mist and moor and home--not this strange, arid, God-forsaken place. Yet it seemed impossible that she would ever be able to return to the life she and Matthew had had there, and Anna began to realize that she was falling in love with the man who held her.
She turned and looked up at Felipe, searching his face. She didn’t know where she’d be at the end of the week, let alone the rest of her life. Surely, she couldn’t rely on the charity of the de la Vega’s indefinitely. She would have to make her way on her own, truly a daunting task.
A few strands of Anna’s hair fell across her face, and Felipe brushed it away with his fingertips, tucking it behind her ear. Her eyes closed at his touch. He traced his finger along her cheek and lifted her chin gently. Their eyes locked, and Anna’s heart began to pound.
The horse nickered, causing them both to jump. Anna blushed and stepped back. The aura had been broken. Reluctantly, Felipe helped her up onto the seat and climbed in beside her. Clicking to the horses, they started again on their way to the hacienda.
Felipe ate his light lunch alone in his room. He needed time to think. He was still bewildered by Anna’s statement that she knew about his hearing. How could she have known? He shook his head. The girl had discerned in a couple of weeks what the people of Los Angeles still had no idea. Anna knew who Zorro was and she knew that Felipe could hear. Did she know that he was Zorro’s assistant? Most importantly, what would she do with such information?
His thoughts turned to another quandary. Matthew had forbidden him to court his sister, but circumstances had definitely changed. She was alone in the world now, as far as he knew, and needed someone to care and provide for her. Felipe thought that he was as good a candidate as the next man.
Felipe leaned back in his chair and looked out the window at the wind blowing through the trees. His mind wandered to the field when he held Anna and the same breeze blew her hair. She was so exquisitely beautiful. He remembered the fear he had seen in her eyes, and had felt himself, when the rattlesnake threatened to strike. He slid his chair away from the table in frustration. I could not warn her! He fumed as he paced. I cannot even speak to her!
The young man heard the piano in the conservatory and decided to go speak with Diego. There was much they had to discuss.
After siesta, Anna walked through the hallways, book in hand looking for a comfortable, quiet place to read. Though the sun had passed its peak for the day, it was still too hot in the garden for her liking. The girl walked into the conservatory. Upon her entrance, Diego and Felipe stood.
“Oh, excuse me,” she said, “I did not wish to interrupt. I was looking for a place to read.”
“By all means, you are welcome in here.” Diego said with a smile, motioning Anna further into the room.
“Thank you.”
“Felipe was just telling me about your adventure with the rattlesnake this morning.”
“Snake?” she answered indignantly. “That was no snake! That was a dragon! A snake is about this long,” she said, holding her hands apart about two feet, “black or green, and never makes such an awful noise as that hideous beast did.”
Diego threw back his head and laughed. “I see! Yes, the rattlesnake is very different from the English adder, no doubt. Its aggressiveness compares to the Indian cobra, do you agree?”
“Yes, but how does the…” her voice trailed off as she searched for the word, finally she shook her head and said in English, “How does the toxicity of the two species compare?”
Diego answered in Spanish, “Both are lethal, though the rattlesnake does not spit as some species of cobra do. I see your Spanish has rapidly improved.”
Anna smiled at the compliment, “Yes, as has Felipe’s English. My signing has become unnecessary.”
Diego nodded. He and Felipe had been working diligently to improve the younger man’s English. The man glanced at the clock on the mantle.
“If you would be so kind as to excuse me, I must take my leave and dress for dinner. Senorita Victoria is coming from town, and--I believe Marta told you--we would like you to join us, as well.”
“Yes, thank you.” said Anna, again astonished by his genteel nature towards servants.
“Until this evening,” he said.
“This evening.” Anna answered with a small curtsy. Diego nodded to her and Felipe and then exited the room.
Anna turned back towards Felipe and began signing so that others would not overhear.
“Why does he do that?” she asked.
“Do what?”
“Why does he associate so much with servants? Why has he been so kind to me? And why,” she signed with slight exasperation, “am I going to eat dinner with them tonight?”
“You are a guest.”
“But I am a servant!”
“You were a servant. You were freed.”
She shook her head, “I don’t know what I am now, but I am definitely not in the caballero class. Never in all my days, in England, Spain, or here, have I ever eaten with the Family. I don’t understand.”
“Then don’t understand. Enjoy it. It will be fun, you’ll see.”
“Will you be there?”
“I’ll be serving Diego as I always do.”
“But I—“
The sound of wagon wheels interrupted their signing. Victoria was driving her wagon into the yard. Felipe walked to the front door and opened it for her.
“Felipe! Anna! Buenos tardes! It’s so good to see you!” she greeted. “Felipe, my bags are in the wagon. Will you get them for me, please?”
Felipe nodded and walked outside.
“Anna, how are you feeling?” she said very slowly hoping that the English girl would understand.
“Much better, thank you.” Anna answered fluently.
Felipe walked through the door carrying three bags.
“Oh, Felipe! Wait,” she said, making wide motions with her arms so that he would see her.
Felipe stopped and shifted the bags.
“Anna, these are for you.” Victoria said, taking two bags from Felipe and handing them to the girl.
Anna took them from the older woman. Holding her own satchel under one arm, Anna blinked back tears as she ran her hand over the crest on Matthew’s saddlebag.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I haven’t looked through them.” Victoria said. “But you should know that I caught Rosa snooping around for them.”
Anna looked up at her; Felipe noticed a slight change in her posture.
“Did she find anything?”
“Oh, no, I had already found the bag and put it somewhere else. One of the town vaqueros brought the saddle bag to me.”
“Thank you for your discretion.” Anna said. “Please excuse me.”
“Of course.” Victoria said, as she and Felipe watched her leave the room.
Anna went to her room and locked the door. She tossed the bags on the bed and reached first for her own satchel. Opening the handles, she pulled out the contents: a brown work dress, pantalets, stockings, her nightdress, hairbrush and hair ribbons. She shook the bag upside down on the bed to make sure it was empty.
Her heart beating wildly, Anna reached into the bag, grasped the lining and turned it inside out. She examined the seam on the bottom of the bag. Relief swept over her as she saw that it was undisturbed. She slid her fingers over the material and heard the slight crinkle of paper. Turning the bag over she felt the other side to make sure that there was a tiny lump in the seam.
With everything as it should be, the English girl replaced her possessions into the bag with the exception of the nightdress and work dress, which she hung in the closet. She looked around the room, trying to decide where to stow the bag. Anna decided to place it in the armoire behind the dresses. Hopefully, it would be safe there.
Sitting on the bed, she pulled Matthew’s saddlebag into her lap. With tears, she lifted the flap and looked inside. Anna pulled out a pair of long johns and laid them reverently on the bed. She looked inside again and saw a few packets of medicinal powders, a couple hand tools, a small gold coin, and a comb.
The girl laid the bag down and reached for the long johns. Anna buried her face in them and inhaled her brother’s scent. She fell onto the bed and sobbed.
In town, a messenger arrived at the alcalde’s office from Santa Barbara.
“A letter for you, sir.” the man said, handing de Soto the paper.
De Soto acknowledged him with a growl and took the paper. As he read it, he slowly sat up in his chair.
As the twilight dimmed, Marta scurried into Anna’s room with a quick tap on the door. She lit the lamp quickly, as Anna blinked away sleep.
“Goodness, Anna, you’re not ready!” Marta exclaimed, pulling the other girl to her feet and brushing the wrinkles out of the gown.
“I’m sorry. I fell asleep.”
Marta put her hands on her hips. “You fell asleep.” she sighed. “Well, come here and let me do your hair.”
Anna sat at the stool before the mirror with a damp cloth and blotted away the tear stains on her face. Marta swept her hair up and pinned it in a beautiful, intricate twist. The Spanish girl opened the jewelry box on the edge of the vanity and took out a simple wired pearl headpiece, which she fastened at the back of Anna’s hair. Marta twisted the stray hairs at Anna’s neck around her fingers, so that they curled daintily. With a quick sprits of perfume, the girl stood back.
“Stand up; let me look at you.” she said.
Anna stood and turned in front of her.
“You look rumpled to me, but I suppose it will have to do. Now pink your cheeks—you look pale.”
“I’m British,” said Anna as she leaned into the mirror and pinched her cheeks to a blushed pink.
“Your British, not dead.”
The girls smiled at each other and then joined the group in the salon.
Anna was overwhelmed by the splendor of the evening. She was stuffed to capacity with the sumptuous five-course meal that the cook had prepared. The girl had enjoyed the ambiance of the candlelight and had been titillated with the lively discussions and debates.
Felipe was overwhelmed by the splendor of her beauty. When Anna had walked into the dining room, it was all he could do to not drop the water pitcher. True, it was the same gown, but in the candles the girl’s curves were even more apparent. His mouth went dry as he gazed at her bare neck. She was delicate and graceful, her manners flawless. Truly, she carried herself like a princess.
The group adjourned from the dining room into the drawing room. Felipe took an inconspicuous post in the corner and watched as Alejandro, Diego, Anna, and Victoria entered the room. Victoria and Anna sat down in wingback chairs.
“Diego,” Alejandro boomed, the wine making him speak a little louder than necessary, “We should have music!”
“I agree, father,” Diego said, taking a seat behind the pianoforte. “Victoria, I’ve been trying to teach Felipe to waltz, but it’s been rather difficult for me to do. Would you mind?”
“Not at all! I’d love to dance with you, Felipe!” she said, as Alejandro pulled the young man from the shadows.
With a brief glare at Diego for interrupting his thoughts, Felipe took Victoria in his arms and the waltz began. Anna smiled to herself as she watched Felipe stay a purposeful half beat behind the music. Alejandro hummed and swayed to the music, and then placed his brandy glass on a side table.
“Anna, will you give me the pleasure?” he asked, holding out his hand.
Anna was startled. This was beyond her imagination. To dance with the Don of the hacienda? Unheard of!
“Yes, Anna, please dance,” Diego encouraged. Victoria quickly agreed.
Flustered, Anna smiled shyly and stood to take the Don’s hand. He was surprisingly agile for his age, Anna realized as they began to dance. As the music played on, the girl admitted that she was enjoying herself. The elder Don’s mirth was contagious.
At the end of the waltz, they all clapped for Diego. He placed his hands on the keys and began to play again. Felipe began to lead Victoria in the next dance when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
“May I?” Alejandro asked.
With a nod, Felipe acquiesced and the older man began to dance with the beautiful Spanish woman.
Felipe looked to Anna in the candlelight and held out his hand to her. With trembling fingers, she accepted his hand and he swept her into his arms. She relaxed as he guided her across the floor. Anna could smell the starch from his shirt mixed with a hint of soap. The linen felt crisp under her hand on his shoulder.
Anna felt so small and fragile to Felipe, yet she had a powerful effect on him. His heart beat wildly as he led her in the waltz and turned her with his hands. He wondered if he was holding her too closely, but was reluctant to release her, especially when every now and then she would brush against him. If anyone had been watching, he would have seen Felipe and Anna dancing precisely to the music.
The piece ended and Alejandro and Victoria again clapped for Diego. Anna still stood in Felipe’s arms, oblivious to the world, as they looked deep into each other’s eyes.
There was a commotion outside. The group heard shouts and horses. The noises moved inside as they heard the front door bang open.
“De la Vegas!” the alcalde shouted as he entered the hacienda.
“What is the meaning of this?” they heard the butler command. Diego stood from behind the pianoforte and moved towards Victoria. Felipe protectively drew Anna closer to him.
