Felipe rubbed his eyes. He was dog-tired—it had been a long day. The young man turned to look out of the library window for the fourth time, hoping to see a black horse along the horizon. He would wait a few more minutes and then head down to the cave, even if he didn't see Zorro returning. There was a cot in the cave he could rest on while he waited.
At least I can sleep in tomorrow, he thought. Absent-mindedly, Felipe walked across the rug over to the bookcase. Diego always insisted on neatness with his books. All of the books were carefully arranged and precisely set on the shelf, yet one of the books was set askew. Felipe reached to set it in place, but rested his hand on the book instead.
Persuasion. Anna's book. He knew she wanted it, but he also understood why she returned it. There were a lot of caballeros that thought the same thing: it was dangerous for slaves and servants, especially women, to read. He knew that Anna would be in dreadful trouble if she were caught with that book. What could he do about it? Perhaps Diego would know.
Felipe pulled the book from the shelf and ran his hand over the cover. Anna. She was so different from the girls in the pueblo. Not that the others were plain. Several of the young women had caught his eye. He had even kissed Maria, the doctor's daughter, after the last fiesta at Victoria's tavern.
He wondered what it would be like to kiss Anna. He liked her fair skin and the way her hair flowed down her back. Her eyes were piercingly blue—almost as though they looked right through him. Yet there was sadness in them, pain, fatigue. As he turned the pages of her book, he daydreamed about sweeping Anna into his arms and kissing away any hurt she may have felt. Felipe closed the book.
He was getting way ahead of himself. He had only spoken to her twice; he didn't even know her. Take it slow. That's what Diego would say. Felipe wished that he would get home soon, so that they could talk.
The sound of an arriving horse made Felipe glance up. Why was Zorro coming so close to the house? With Persuasion in hand, the young man walked to the window and slid the curtain aside. He saw that the horse was not Toronado, but Lady.
Felipe furrowed his eyebrows as he watched the horse race into the yard. Anna's head was bowed close to her horse's mane, her own hair mussed and flying in the wind behind her. Why was she riding so fast? Was something wrong?
Felipe wrapped his grip around the book, knuckles white. He willed himself to stay where he was instead of running out the door to her. In the torchlight, Felipe saw Matthew hurry into the yard. He, too, had heard Lady's fast approach.
Anna pulled back on Lady's reigns; the horse stopped and Matthew took control of the bit. Anna slid from the saddle and fell into his other arm. Confused, Matthew let go of Lady and held his sobbing sister.
Anna reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Felipe watched as Lady wandered over to a patch of grass and the family of two clung to each other. Gently, Matthew bent over and lifted his little sister in his arms. The man turned and carried her into the barn, as a dark horse ran across the horizon.
Felipe ran down the stone steps and into the cave. Diego had already removed his hat and mask. The caballero's servant rushed over to him and grasped his shoulder, almost roughly.
"*What happened?! What happened to her?!*" he asked. "*I saw her ride back! Was she hurt? What happened?!*"
Diego grabbed the boy's shoulders and shook him lightly. "Get a hold of yourself!" he commanded. "She's fine. I got there in time."
Felipe sighed, his arms falling to his sides in relief. "*What happened?*" he signed more calmly.
Diego began to change back into his normal clothes. "Well, Anna arrived at the tavern ahead of me, but I was there in time to see her go down the stairs with the dress. The men who are always around Sanchez, you remember him, were in the tavern and seemed to find her quite attractive. I watched to make sure she made it out all right. The gang returned to their drinking and bragging their stories to Roberto. I can't understand why she walked back in—I suppose she forgot something and simply didn't realize the danger. That or she thought that having Roberto there was enough. Anyway, Pedro made a comment to Roberto when she walked back in. I couldn't hear what he said, but apparently Roberto gave him the go ahead. The men called her over, she was hesitant, but she went. Pedro began to try to take advantage of her."
Felipe set his jaw; his fists clenched at his sides. "Roberto did nothing. He seemed not to care either way what happened to her. I don't understand. I knew Pedro wouldn't stop until someone stopped him. So, I made my presence known— Sanchez, Pedro, and the others fled like dogs. Anna seemed in shock; I pushed her out the door, hoping she would come back here—I'm glad to see she did—Roberto had drawn his sword by then. Apparently, he thinks that she is only a possession of his to do what he wants with her. We fought; his swordsmanship is pathetic—I do believe that you could have beaten him. I sent him to his room with his tail between his legs." Diego finished, tying his silk sash around his waist.
Felipe stood silent and still, his face dark and brooding. Diego crossed his arms over his chest. "She's caught your eye, hasn't she?"
"*Yes*."
"Is that her book?" Felipe blinked and then looked at the book in his hands.
"*Yes. She didn't take it. She said that she would get into trouble.*"
"I'm not surprised at that, considering the archaic views expressed by Roberto tonight."
"*I could kill him for that.*"
"Be rational. You'll get yourself and Anna in trouble if you're not."
"*She came back so upset. She just crumbled into his arms. I couldn't do anything; I couldn't even go to her.*" Felipe stalked into the horse's stall. Toronado whickered as he removed the saddle from his back.
Diego watched him thoughtfully. His young friend was very upset. The older man wished that Felipe had found some other girl to fall in love with. The Martinez family was too complex right now.
From what he could tell, Martinez and the alcalde were planning something, he just didn't know what. They were either old friends or Martinez had some kind of special skill and the alcalde was paying him a lot of money. They didn't seem friendly enough to be old pals, so Martinez must be able to do something.
Roberto was horrid with the sword. Even though he didn't seem close to his father, Roberto would probably be better at swordplay if his father were especially skilled in the art. Martinez must have some other skill.
That still didn't explain why he brought his son and daughter with him. If this was just business then why bother them with the trip? Diego, waiting for Felipe to finish brushing down Toronado, sat at the long table and began writing chemical equations—it always helped him to think.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the young man brushing the horse with determination. Diego wondered what he was thinking and if Felipe would tell him. A few minutes later, Felipe sat down across from him. Diego leaned back in the massive wooden chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "Did my father say what the schedule is for tomorrow?" Diego asked.
Felipe shook his head. "*I think most of the guests are leaving before siesta.*"
"Probably. Is Martinez still here?"
"*Si, Martinez and Rosa are here.*"
"Anna and Matthew?"
"*The stables.*"
"Why aren't they in the hacienda?"
"*Martinez wanted Matthew in the stables. I had Juan move a cot into the sitting room just outside of Rosa's guest room.*"
"Anna was to sleep there?"
"*Yes, but Matthew took her into the stables with him*."
"She'll probably feel more comfortable with him near tonight."
"*I hope so. I knew I should have gone with her. Matthew wouldn't allow it.*"
"He's seems very protective of her."
"*Where was he when she needed him though? If I had been there—*"
"What would you have done? You could have taken Roberto easily, but Sanchez and his gang? I wouldn't be so sure."
"*Matthew wants to talk to me tomorrow.*"
"Talk about what?"
"*I don't know.*"
"He may want to know what your intentions are."
"*Intentions?*"
"With his sister. Ah, what are your intentions?" Felipe blushed and scratched his arm nervously.
Diego chuckled. "Honorable?" His young friend nodded, grinning sheepishly.
"*I don't think Matthew will let me court her though.*" Felipe signed, his countenance falling.
"Why not?"
"*He doesn't want her to talk to me. At least I think that's what he said.*"
"Need to work on your English, eh?" Felipe nodded. "You don't want to court her just because she signs, right?"
"*No. She's beautiful and kind and friendly and smart and beautiful…*"
"You already said beautiful."
"*Yes, she's that, too!*"
Diego smiled and stood. "Well, we both have big days tomorrow."
"*What are you going to do about Rosa?*"
"What about Rosa?"
"*Rosa is trying to turn your head. That's why she sent Anna for the dress.*"
"Oh. I didn't know. Hmm. Let me know what else you hear."
"*Si*." Diego clapped Felipe on the back and they walked up the stairs together.
The stables had grown quiet. All of the vaqueros had returned to their own homes and families. Matthew and Anna huddled together in the loft. The smell of hay enveloped them.
Anna had told Matthew about the evening; Matthew had remained silent. Rage boiled within him. Anna snuffled and hiccupped, so Matthew put his arm around her and pulled her to his chest. He felt her relax as he rocked her gently, just as their mother had done when they were back in England.
"I'm getting you out of here. I'll write to my friend in the States tomorrow." Matthew's voice was strangely calm. There was no room for argument. Anna was silent, and soon sleep overpowered them both.
