Dinner Party

                                    

                                          

Elena was walking around on the balcony scanning the crowd. Then she spotted where Alejandro was sitting and made her way down to him. "Don Alejandro," she says. He was laughing and talking with the people at his table, when she said his name he stopped laughing and looked up at her. Elena smiled at him. "My father and I would like you to join us at our table."
                          
Alejandro was speechless for a moment. "I-I would be delighted señioríta." He stood up and offered his hand to her. She placed her hand on top of his and he escorted her through the crowd to Rafael's table.
                          
When they get to the table Rafael makes his presence known. "Ahh, Don Alejandro. I'm so pleased you could join us," Rafael says, as Alejandro pulls out Elena's seat she sits down and he pushes her seat up. "Gentlemen allow me to introduce Don Alejandro de Castino Y García. He recently returned from Spain," Rafael announces to the other Dons at the table. Then he turns to Alejandro. "And this is Captain Harrison Love, not a Don, but certainly a kindred spirit."
                          
The Captain gets up from his seat and turns around to shake Alejandro's hand. Alejandro shakes back. He looks at the Captain quizzically and asks, "Aren't you the one who was chasing the legendary bandit recently?"
                          
The Captain chuckles slightly. "He was hardly legendary."
                          
"So you caught him?" Alejandro asks.
                          
"It's only a matter of time," Captain Love says.
                          
Alejandro raises his brows. "Well, the bandit may have escaped. But the rest of us will certainly think twice.....before going to confession." Alejandro grins making his way to his seat and the Dons laugh out loud.
                          
***
                          
After a few minutes after getting to know everyone, they end up talking about their bussinesses and the people of California. At the moment Elena is talking with one of the Dons.
                          
"With all do respect Don Hector I disagree. Until these people are free to govern themselves, I think we will see many more Z's carved into walls," Elena says and grins at the Don. Everyone at the table grows quiet and Alejandro is staring amusingly at her. She catches him staring and turns her attention toward him. "Don Alejandro what do you think?" She smiles at him.
                          
"I think a sheep will always need a shepherd," he says slowly. "But-uh certainly not this... Zorro creature. He probably wears the mask to hide his bald head and unslightly features." The dons laugh out at his joke, including Rafael who covers his mouth trying to hide his smile.
                          
Elena's disappointed with his answer and looks down. "There are some who would call him heroic," she says looking back up at him.
                          
"Heroism a romantic illusion," Alejandro says picking up his wine glass and takes a sip.
                          
"Much like nobility," she presses on.
                          
"Elena that is enough," Rafael cuts in.
                          
"Myself I think heroisim is something to inspire to than sneer at," Captain Love says.
                          
"All that playing swords, shooting guns, racing around on horses...gives me a frightful headache," Alejandro says. Captain Love rolls his eyes. Alejandro continues, "Such sweaty pursuits are hardly the work of a gentleman."
                          
Elena looks at him. "And what is? Climbing in and out of carriages?"
                          
Alejandro looks down at his hands. "No my dear. But to increase one's holdings as to provide lovish comfort for young ladies." He gestures toward her. "Such as yourself."
                          
Rafael grimaces feeling uncomfortable with the present conversation.
                          
Elena grins at Alejandro and he returns the grin. And at that moment a spark ignited between them even though they were only sitting across from each other. But that moment was short lived by Rafael breaking the silence.
                          
"A women's grasp of politics. What can I say?" Rafael says. The rest of the Dons chuckle.
                          
Captain Love stands up. "Well we're at a party aren't we? Elena, may I have the honor of this dance?" He holds his hand out to her. 
                          
She smiles and looks at Alejandro. "I would be glad to," she says. Alejandro looks at her with his head tilted to the side. Elena gets up and takes Captain Love's hand and he leads her to the dance floor.
                          
Alejandro knew Elena was trying to make him jealous. And after a minute or two of watching them dance, it worked. Jealousy came over him and it burned him right to his core. He dismissed himself from Rafael's table and made his way over to the dance. He stood on the side and waited for them to dance his way.
                          
When they finally did they stopped and looked at him. "Yes," Elena says "Were you looking for something?" She grins swaying with the Captain.
                          
Alejandro shakes his head. "Sense of miraculous every day life."
                          
Captain Love scoffs. "Oh really? Well why don't you try looking some place else. The lady and I were trying to dance."
                          
Alejandro nods. "You were trying. She was succeeding." He reaches out and pulls the Captain away from Elena. "Ah, forgive me Captain. A shameless joke you would expect. And I hope you will not be the last. Don Rafael wants you back at his table. Now." He looks over at the servant boy, "Miño," he calls to him and tosses his walking cane to the boy. The boy catches it and smiles.
                          
As the Captain walks away Alejandro offers Elena his hand. She smiles and takes it as he puts his hand on her waist and leads her through the rest of the dance.