ENCOUNTER 3
OUTSIDE THE WINDOW

by JoLayne
EnyaJo@aol.com

RATING: PG-15? Helm/Marta get some... be warned.
CHARACTERS: T/Q M H Mentions of Esteban, his family, and Montoya
SUMMARY: Marta gets a surprise night visitor as Tessa continues to investigate the 'Queen's Death'.
NOTES: Helm/Marta, if you want the Queen/Helm or Tessa/Helm, this isn't the fic for you.

Beta'd by MnD - yuanne@aol.com

The characters you've heard of belong to Fireworks and the others I guess belong to me. Hope they continue the show!

~~~~~

Tessa quickly rode Chico back home in the bright moonlight with the vision of Esteban Nogales and his terrified son on her mind. The few times she had seen Senor Nogales with his wife, Maria Louisa, and two children in Santa Helena, she hadn't ever given him a thought. To see that he was so young--just a few years older than herself--and too damn handsome--his fiery brown eyes, wavy hair, wide shoulders... She reprimanded herself. He was a widower and had children to raise. He just had a traumatic event. He even had to let the nanny go. He held the weight of the world on his shoulders. On every strong, muscular shoulders. Tessa! There's no use gushing over him! Think about something else.

She looked down at her Queen uniform and realized how easily she had gotten used to the black attire. To using the sword at her side for real, not just in practice with her sword master teacher. The moment she stood backward on the cliff came to mind. There had been nothing behind her but crashing waves and sharp rocks and a little oasis of sand. Tessa again wondered how she could have mustered up the courage to just fall backward over the abyss. The idea had just come to her in a split second. She did it. Without a second thought. Did I do it because if I really had died, it was on my terms, or did I really think I'd survive? Tessa had no answer, and it scared her.

Chills went up her spine once again as she was well aware that the Queen had a lot more nerve than she did and it excited her. Tessa didn't think she would ever experience a such rush in her own normal life as exhilarating as moments that happened while she's in the form of the Queen of Swords. What will I do if I don't have to dress up anymore? One day, there wouldn't be a need for her. What will I do then?

Her mind drifted to the poor families--two that she knew of--that had to endure being betrayed so horribly by a woman who was meant to protect them. The Queen. She knew that Esteban Nogales didn't want to come forward thinking he'd be lynched--if not by Montoya for murder, then by the people of the county who thought of the Queen as a savior and wouldn't listen to the truth.

~~~~~

Tessa returned Chico to the stable and unsaddled him. With a caress of her hand against his snout, she made sure there was fresh water and the treat of some carrots ready for him. She reached up and pulled off her mask, tossed her head from side to side to unmat her hair. "Good night, Chico," she whispered in the horse's ear. "Sleep well. There will be another long day tomorrow."After hungrily eating the supper that Marta kept warm for her, Tessa felt tired. She went to her room to reflect on the events of the day, the Nogales', and to plan what had to be done the next morning. She would see if there were more reales that she could spare for Senora Heche and her family. Tessa knew that it wasn't her fault they had been robbed, but it was her fault that the faker wasn't found out earlier. The people who had been taken were too scared to confess what had happened, to actually place the blame on the almost saintly -- in their eyes at least -- Queen.

"To think that some was lining their own pockets using my identity," she spouted to Marta as they got her out of the Queen's outfit and into a nightgown. "I feel violated."

She laid on her bed wearing her lightest nightgown and Marta softly pulled a sheet on top of her. "Is there anything I can get you, Tessa?"

"No, Marta, thank you. But, we could talk until I fall asleep."

Marta smiled; she loved the late night talks they had always shared. "How did Senor Esteban react to the news that the Queen is very much alive?"

"He was surprised. Nervous at first that I'd come to rob him. I asked him to keep the secret for a little while. It might come in handy."

"Will he?"

"Yes. I trust him."

"How long are you going to keep the charade that the Queen is dead? A long time, I hope."

"I can't Marta. You know I can't."

Marta knew that Tessa was tired, had endured a long day, and lifted herself off Tessa's bed. She could see the sweat start of collect on her charge's skin and could feel herself clad in her usual nightgown overheated as well. There has to be a break from the intense heat soon. There has to be. Marta picked up Tessa's fan from her bureau and opened it wide. She saw that Tessa had closed her eyes. Marta softly fanned her from head to toe, back and forth, lightly fanning herself quickly with each pass.

Soon Tessa turned on her side and put one hand under her face, the other under her pillow. Marta smiled. That was the sign of her slumber since she was a little girl. Tessa was seven when Marta was hired to be her governess and had easily come to love her more than anyone in the world. Marta had just turned twenty when she came into the employ of Don and Senora Alvarado to take care of their daughter. It was a blessing. The moment she joined the Alvarado family, Marta felt like she could once again live. As Marta stood there watching Tessa sleep, it was hard to even remember that she had lived before meeting Tessa.

Marta turned and opened the window a little wider. Just outside the window, under the cover of night, Dr. Robert Helm stood in the shadows. He had planned to call on Marta as a gentleman would. He thought it was the only way he could properly see Marta without hoping she would fall and break a limb needing his medical services once again.

When he had arrived at the Alvarado residence, the lights were out. Helm almost got back on his white stallion that he had won in a poker game with Don Hidalgo because they were all obviously asleep. He would try again another night. Earlier. Bringing wine to go with the meal that Marta would have prepared. It was when he noticed a lamp burning in the back corner of the house that he decided to investigate.

The lamp had been burning in Maria Theresa's bedroom. He saw a nightgown-clad Marta fanning her mistress as a good servant should. He hated to think that she was wasting away as a servant for anyone, and more selfishly, was fanning anyone but him. Helm shook his head to try to ease the feelings that flowed without warning and looked down at himself. He was dressed in his best suit. It was only the one in his possession that had survived his travels from Spain after resigning from His Majesty's Service. He wondered why he felt he needed to wear it; it was so damn hot! Not even the setting sun had cooled off the air. The only good thing was that the wind had died down so the dust no longer stung the eyes. Helm looked down at his suit, at the vest he wore, and rubbed a finger under the collar that was adorned with his finest tie. He felt like an idiot, a school boy with a crush on an unattainable red headed girl. He had even stepped back so Marta couldn't see him watching her, just watching every movement she made.

Marta laid the fan back on the bureau's surface and pick up the oil lamp to walk to her own room across the hacienda from Tessa's. Helm no longer felt ridiculous. He felt that he needed to follow her. While she walked inside the house, he moved from window to window, following the light.

Marta entered her bedroom and set the lamp on her bureau. Robert Helm had positioned himself against the wall alongside her bedroom window, stretching to his right to look into her room, at her. He saw her open a drawer and pull out three nightgowns of various colors and fabrics. She uneasily weighed each in her hands, making Helm wonder what she was up to. She was wearing a gown, just go to bed so he could see her off to sleep before leaving.

After leaving the white flannel gown on the chair, she took her time debating between the white gauze and the pink silk nightgowns as she moved in circles, feeling the silk fabric to her cheek. Helm felt like a peeping tom as he watched her, but Marta was so graceful in her movements, he was watching a ballet and didn't want it to come to an end. Marta dropped them both on the chair and walked back to the bureau.

Helm watched as Marta tied her long, curly hair up with a clasp and using only her un-bandaged hand, she splashed water from the basin atop the bureau. She grabbed a cloth and rubbed it over her face and behind her neck then down her chest under her gown to cool off.

Helm stepped closer to the window to be able to see off to the side where she was, cleaning and cooling herself off. Marta dried her hands on the cloth and repositioned the bandage on her right hand. Pressing on the laceration under the tied cloth, Helm had the thought of retying it with fresh bandages for her. But she couldn't know he was there. He had seen more than he should have. But he couldn't leave his place just outside her window.

Marta leaned over and lifted her gown to look at her left knee and repositioned that bandage. Her face screwed up with pain as she felt the wound. She wet the cloth and sat atop the nightgowns on the chair and carefully unwrapped the bandage on her knee. She fanned and blew on it as Helm had that afternoon. Leaving it unwrapped, Helm saw her stand.

Okay, show's almost over, he thought to himself. Isn't that woman tired? He never dreamed that their night was just beginning. Marta unbuttoned the side of her nightgown and lifted it over her head. Helm's mouth fell open but he couldn't pull his eyes away from the exquisite sight of her before him. He hoped his sudden intake of breath hadn't notified her that he was still there, glued to the proceedings. The only thought he could form in his mind was, Just turn around. I need to see you.

Helm knew he wouldn't be leaving that spot until she did. Then hoped that when she did, she wouldn't be offended by his lurking. The temperature outside was nothing to him, his internal flame had been ignited. He spent years as an undercover agent for King and Country, but at that moment, he didn't care if his spying was revealed.

~~~~~

Marta hummed a gypsy tune as she pulled the nightgown over her head to get her mind off the temperature. Facing her closet, she let the gown fall in a heap at the bottom of it. She would have a lot of washing to do the next day, she'd pick it up then. She unhooked her hair and let her curls swing behind her head. She grabbed a ringlet to study how dirty it was. Yes, I will wash myself along with

the clothes.

She picked up the white gauze nightgown and slipped it over her head and let it fall over her. The pink silk would wait for a special occasion. She carefully folded it and put it back in her drawer. She went to window to open it farther to allow whatever breeze there might be inside. Marta looked out on the moonlit silhouette of the mountains in the distance. It was at that time of night that Marta would usually walk the estate, get fresh air, meditate. It was too hot that evening.

Suddenly, a man's silhouette stepped into her view. Startled, she cowered back into her room and realizing just how flimsy the fabric was that she wore, she quickly covered herself with her arms and hands. She hadn't seen who it was--it was just an outline of a man. He spoke, "I'm sorry, Marta. I didn't mean to frighten you."

Marta knew his accented voice instantly and was at once exhilarated and confused. She had no idea why he was there, outside her window, but immediately liked that he was. Helm walked to the window frame and set his hands on the sill. As soon as she saw his face in the lamp light, she knew what he was thinking. What he wanted. For the longest moment they only looked at each other; she smiled at his extremely dapper suit. Slowly, she lowered her hands, exposing herself to him through the flimsy fabric. She could see the soft thankful smile that curled his lips.

He hoarsely spoke again, "May I come in?"

She nodded her consent and he sat on the sill and swung his legs into the room. "You're an even more stunning woman than I had expected." For a second she wondered how long he had been standing outside her window, and realized he must have seen everything. Everything. She wasn't ashamed or modest. She knew she had a nice form. His voice was soft; she knew he didn't want to unnerve her, but to tell her the truth.

When he walked toward her, Marta didn't back away; she lifted her head as he neared to maintain eye contact with him. He stood inches from her when she hooked her hands on his lapels. Marta had always been captivated with the doctor since his arrival in Santa Helena. That afternoon made her know that he wasn't an object to fantasize from afar, but a man who had released a passion of grief and lust. She wanted more than anything to wrangle that force. She pulled his face down to hers and let his breath combine with her own.

Closing her eyes, she felt his mouth make contact with her cheek, her mouth, then felt his tongue brush against her teeth. Her heart did a flip when she felt his hands rub down her back. As his hands continued south, she responded with expectant breaths and a tingling sensation started in her most private place that she had feared was long past responding. Marta yanked his jacket down, holstering his arms. As she worked on getting his jacket off, he nestled his nose against her neck, his hot breath not at all unwelcome. In fact, it made her skin react with gooseflesh that he gently rubbed away after getting back the use of his arms. His coat was dropped to the floor. He kicked it aside.

Helm yanked at the miserable tie that he had felt he needed when he left his private quarters at the office that evening. Since he brushed her hands away when she tried to help him untie it, Marta stepped back to watch him, making her way to the head of the bed. He let out an embarrassed smile as he kept tugging at it. Marta let out a little laugh and said, "Well, it's up to you, Doctor."

"I should have used a slip knot." He hurriedly unbuttoned his shirt as he made is way toward her. Pulling the collar under the tie, he slipped it off, making Marta chuckle again. Her soft laughter of excitement stopped when she saw his well-formed chest.

She laid on one side of the bed as he pulled down his pants and sat without exposing himself to her on the other side, then slipped under the sheet. They met at the middle of her bed. Helm leaned over her, brushed her hair back from her face. She lifted her head up to kiss him and moved his hands to her chest. As he kissed the length of her body, he was especially gentle at her knee. They moved without the hesitation of being each other for the first time. They explored each other's bodies with curiosity of how the other would react to each touch. Helm lay on his back and pulled Marta on top of him. The foreplay had proceeded well but he still didn't know how fast to go with her. All his uncertainty was squelched when she hungrily kissed him. He laughed when her hand strolled down his chest, then his well-toned body, to take a gentle hold of him, squeezing and running her finger up and down it's length.

She was going to go with her emotions and sit on top of him but her knee inflicted pain of being scraped against the bed. Helm turned them over. He nestled his head over her shoulder and slowly entered her, stayed inside to gauge her reaction. She prodded him to keep going. It was fine. In fact, glorious. It was a purely physical co-mingling; they didn't speak at all. The only questions they silently asked was if each movement was fine with the other. His father. Her past. His regrets. Her station in life. Their different upbringings. Their differing religions. There was nothing in their minds but the here and now.

~~~~~

Before the sun came up, Tessa awoke to realized the sheet and her nightgown where tangled around her; she had tossed and turned all night from the heat. She saw that it was only just after four when she checked the clock on her night stand. Debated whether to try to fall back asleep or to dress as the Queen and use the cover of darkness to make the trek to the Heche residence. It was too hot to sleep. She got out of bed and looked out her window at the still black morning. The heat has to break soon!

After a quick sponging off and going to her secret closet that held her the Queen's outfit and weapon, she went to Marta's room to tell her that she was leaving and not to worry. She opened the door and about fainted. Tessa thought maybe she was dreaming. Marta wasn't alone!

Since she was dressed as the Queen, her curiosity of who the figure lying next to her governess had to wait for another time. She quickly closed the door so they wouldn't see her. While she backed into the parlor, Tessa smiled from finding out a secret of Marta's and just a bit of embarrassment. She hadn't known that Marta was seeing anyone, and was a little more than upset that she hadn't mentioned anything. Tessa didn't even know that Marta even looked at a man, any man, that way. Then she realized that Marta was like a mother to her and it just hadn't ever occurred to her that Marta was a woman, with needs, wants and hopes. A future. Without her.

Tessa was glad for Marta, but at the same time sad that she could lose her. Marta may not have struck Tessa as sexual, but if she had spent the night with a man, it had to be serious. She shivered when she realized that she could lose Marta. With a loss of what to say, Tessa half-heartedly wrote a note to say that she would return. Then Tessa crumbled the paper in her hand. Of course she would return. What if the man found the note? He would wonder why Maria Teresa had to leave so early in the morning and Marta would have to explain. No. Any explaining that Marta does will be to tell me who the hell that man was and how long it had been going on!

Tessa couldn't squelch that gnawing sense of curiosity; she was going to go back to take another look at the man to at least see if she recognized him. Not a good idea, Tessa. He could wake up and see the Queen, then what would I do? She was careful not to slam the door to wake them on her way out to the stables.

~~~~~

Helm awoke to the sound of a neighing horse and thought it was his own. It took a minute for him to adjust his eyes and try to figure out where he was. Through the darkness of the room, he saw Marta asleep. She was on her side facing him, resting her head atop her folded arm as he had been sleeping on the only pillow left on the bed. He seemed to remember her falling asleep with her head nestled on his arm and an easy smile floated across his face with the remembrance. His eyes were adjusting nicely, indeed. Marta wasn't covered. His hand went to her side then lightly rubbed up to under her arm and then down to her hip. He didn't want to wake her, she seemed so at peace.

He pulled the sheet up over her shoulder and lifted her head to slip the pillow he had used underneath. When she didn't awake, he carefully leaned over his side of the bed to get his pocket watch out of his pants. It was just past 4:30. He didn't know about how people on the ranch perceived Marta, and didn't want to cause a ruckus with him having spent the night. He'd better go.

His head was telling him he should go, but his body gave him troubles. He was tired, almost exhausted, and the air was stuffy. He wanted nothing more than to fall back asleep, but warily got out of bed and pulled on his clothes. Only then did he realize that he was still wearing that blasted tie! A soft laugh escaped him and figured he'd just cut the damn thing off when he got to his scalpels. With the thought of one of his medical instruments, his mind went back to the last person he used his scalpel on. The Queen. The Queen's corpse. Helm couldn't believe it, but she was actually dead. He had the thought that the Queen was in fact Maria Teresa Alvarado, only because they had the same hair, the same lips. But then again, most of the women in the village did. And he saw Maria Teresa--very much alive--being tucked into her bed just a couple of hours before. By Marta, the beautiful woman who had been lying so peacefully right in front of him. I have to get out of here or I won't be going anywhere, he prodded himself.

He only took the time to button his pants and the top two of his shirt, which he pulled on over the tie. He folded his jacket of his arm and made his way quietly to the window. The way he came in seemed to be the correct way to exit. He didn't want to wake the Senorita. Taking another quick look at Marta, he also didn't want to just leave without a goodbye. Helm carefully laid back on the bed alongside Marta and fingered her cheek. She still slept like an angel. He played with a tendril of her hair until she awoke.

When she did, the second of surprise was replaced by a happy grin when her eyes focused on his face. "I have to go," he whispered. "I don't want to..." he started, hoping she'd tell him to stay. Her reputation was his only concern; not because how others perceive one meant anything to him, but it seemed to be important to her and he would respect that.

To his delight, Marta leaned forward and kissed him deeply. Then she disappointed him when she said, "I understand."

He nodded to her and said, "I want to see you again."

She hiked herself up on her elbow and playfully kissed him again. "You know where I live."

"Yes, I do." His smile was so wide and bright, it lit up the room. "But, you will come to me tonight. My place. Where we're totally alone."

"But Tessa..."

"She doesn't have to come with you."

They quietly smiled to each other, then Marta explained, "No, I mean, I'd have to tell her why I have to go into town."

"You don't want to tell her about us?"

That he considered them an 'us' was magnificent. But she had to be careful, they came from two very different worlds, belonged in two very different classes. After so many years of people reminding her of her station in life so many times. It was hard for her to look past it, but the last thing she wanted was to lose Helm. Doctor Helm, that she had privately lusted after since his arrival in Santa Helena. Robert. "Just for a while I'd like to have us be a secret." Just to make sure it's real.

He asked, "Why?" She didn't know how to tell him if he didn't understand already. She only shrugged her shoulder and he agreed--somewhat half-heartedly--but he agreed. "Okay. Find a way." He was adamant in his declaration that, "If you don't come to me, I'm coming back here."

"I will come to you," Marta promised. "Nothing on heaven or earth can stop me."

~~~~~

The Queen rode Chico at an easy pace; the horse had been awaken and needed to adjust to the full day ahead of him. Tessa didn't want to push him too hard that early so he'd be tired later in case she really needed him to make tracks. The sun rising over the canyons toward the east was a welcome sight as she neared the Heche hacienda. Tessa had never met the German immigrant whose husband died not long after they settled in Alto California. She and her children had always kept to themselves. They almost never came into the pueblo. She had heard they have been invited to Montoya's fiestas, but after so many declines, Montoya stopped sending them.

As Chico walked behind the Heche casa, Tessa wondered if Senora Heche could even speak English--one certainly couldn't assume she'd speak Spanish. The hacienda was quiet, the buildings that held the Heche's few workers and their families were still dark. At least Tessa assumed she still had workers for the sheep farm. The sheep were there, but it was odd that the rise of the sun didn't rouse them into action. Tessa felt bad when she realized that, like Esteban Nogales, Senor Heche may have had to let the workers go after being robbed.

The Queen was just about to hop off Chico when colorful flags caught her eye; they were Montoya's soldier's flags. She pulled out her telescope to see a great caravan was heading toward the sea. And there were animals. Tessa had to squint to make out what they were. Cattle! The soldier's holding Montoya's flags, were herding cattle! Montoya is the rustler!

So much had happened since the rustling problem had been forefront in her mind: Tessa found out there was another Queen, and that everyone thought that she was dead; she finally met, an was fascinated by, Esteban Nogales; and Marta had a lover. Yes, the last 24 hours have been interesting, Tessa mused. Now the rustling puzzle had been solved. Why couldn't I see that before? How dare he? Tessa, instead of dismounting Chico, kicked him lightly in the ribs to make him move. He leapt into action and took off with lightening speed to follow the flags. The Queen smiled. Her appearance would be the absolute last thing any of them would expect. She rode up a cliff alongside the trail the many animals had slowly rode down to the beach. By the time she had arrived at the shore, most of the cattle had been loaded onto a waiting ship. Her mind tried to formulate a plan. There wouldn't be adequate cover for her trek to the ship and she would make an easy target. Even for them. The doors were already being sealed. Sure, I could fight the soldiers, but the ship would still make it's way to... where would it be going? To an auction? To a businessman who had already laid out the reales for Montoya? To slaughter? It's too late.

Tessa decided to just give Montoya another mental notch of the things she was keeping tally in her head and reversed Chico to leave before they were seen. She could use her state of being alive in a more useful manner. She had to work it to her advantage. Even though The Queen was on Montoya's hit list, he was sweet on Maria Teresa. Tessa could talk to Montoya about the poor rancheros who were losing livestock and see what his reaction was. That might be fun. And I can gauge his reaction.

~~~~~

Marta, fully dressed for the day and changing the bedding, woke that morning without a care in the world. She tightly tucked the corners of the new sheets under the mattress with zeal of renewed vigor. On the floor, peeking out from under the bed on the side that Dr. Helm had slept for just a few hours earlier, there was a white linen handkerchief. Marta picked it up and held it to her nose. Helm's musky scent washed over her. After inspecting it, she saw that it was stitched with the initials RB. Robert Birchwick. The son of an Earl who had committed patricide. For a moment, she wondered why on Earth he would ever use a handkerchief with those initials on it. She would have to return it to him, and she would have to ask him.

The door to the house flung open and slammed shut, scaring Marta out of her wits. She ran to the door of her bedroom to catch a glimpse of Tessa's long flowing hair turn the corner to her own room. Marta relaxed; it had only been Tessa, and she was safe. Marta had noticed that Tessa was gone that morning and the nagging thought that the Queen would surely be dead wouldn't ease. Every time her charge stepped into that black costume, Marta's maternal skills kicked in. She stuffed Helm's handkerchief into her pocket.

Tessa needed help getting into a corset when Marta joined her in the bedroom. "Marta, I'm glad you're awake. I have to go into town and talk to Montoya."

"Why? What are you planning?"

"I know the man behind the cattle rustling. I wasn't in time to stop it, but Montoya's men were herding a great number of them to a ship."

Marta tied the corset tight as she asked, "You're just going to waltz into his office to say 'I accuse you'?"

"No," Tessa looked back to smile at her. "I'm going to waltz into office full of concern that yet another of my Don friends had their livestock taken from them. I'm going to make sure that my eyes are perfectly sad; I would probably be able to work up a tear, bat my eyebrows and ask if there was anything at all that he could do about the situation."

They both laughed as Marta chose a dress from the closet for Tessa to wear. "He's still under the assumption that the Queen is dead?"

Tessa said, "Well, I didn't tell him any different."

Marta's voice was quiet, almost a whisper. "Good." She held out the green cotton dress to Tessa and then helped her slip it over her head.

"I know you worry, Marta. There's no need. I know what I'm doing."

"I know. I trust you, that you won't get into a situation you can't handle. It's just..."

"What?"

Frustrated, Marta wondered aloud, "I can't worry?"

Tessa laughed and hugged Marta. Then turned very serious. "No. I don't want you to worry about me. If something happens, something happens. There's nothing either of us can do about it."

Marta turned her around to button the dress. Tessa looked back over her shoulder and asked, "Have you read the Tarot?"

"Of course."

"What have you seen? Anything?"

"No," Marta admitted.

That was all Tessa needed to hear and straightened the skirt of her dress.

"Good."

"Maybe not."

"What do you mean?" Tessa looked back at Marta in surprise.

"I didn't see yesterday coming at all. Yesterday was an eventful day." Marta turned away because she knew her cheeks reddened with the mere thought of the doctor who had been in her bed.

Tessa smiled, a little nervous to even think of mentioning it so soon, but said, "Yes it was. For both of us."

Marta finishing buttoning the dress as she tried to think of something else to make her lose the smile that the thought of Robert Helm made appear. Think of widows and orphans, Montoya, laundry, anything! What she verbalized was, "Hm?"

"Marta." Tessa softly informed her, "I saw you this morning." The relaxed look on Marta's face started to tighten. Tessa took her hand. "I was going to tell you that I was leaving before dawn because you always holler at me if I don't, and I saw you..." Tessa started to blush as she said, "You weren't alone."

Horrified embarrassment washed over Marta's face as her hand went to her throat. She was going to tell Tessa... one day. Not so suddenly. Before she could stutter out a reply, Tessa said, "I'm sorry to just walk into your room but I didn't expect... you know. I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

"No. No, that's not it, Tessita."

"Who was he? Anyone I know? Anyone I've met? Did you just meet him?"

"You didn't see him?"

"No. It was dark and I certainly didn't want to light a lamp. You were both sleeping and I couldn't see his face."

"You must think the worst of me," Marta said as she shamefully lowered her head.

"Why? Of course not. I'm happy for you. I know you..." Tessa chuckled with embarrassment about talking to Marta about her love life, having never done it before. "I know what happened before you joined our family. I'm really happy that you found someone. I really am. Who is he?"

Marta tightened up even more. "I'd rather not say."

"Eladio? He does like you. I can tell by how he looks at you when you aren't looking at him."

"No. He is not Eladio."

"Do I know him?"

"Yes."

"Interesting," Tessa smiled, thinking that the her questions were coming out easier than she thought they would, but Marta's answers weren't forthcoming. "Well, you're not telling me for some reason so, I'll respect that. But I don't know why you don't. Is it because I'm too young? You don't think I'd understand?"

"It's too new, that's all."

Tessa smiled at Marta and then had the urge to hug her, didn't like to see her 'mother' so uncomfortable. She wrapped her arms around Marta; as Marta hugged her back, Tessa again had the awful feeling that she was going to lose Marta.

Marta lifted Tessa's face to look at her. She told her, "You're the most important thing in my life, Tessa. Don't forget that."

Tessa smiled that her thoughts could always be known to her duenna. There was just no use in trying to pretend.

Marta did Tessa's hair to make sure she looked appropriate for Montoya. After showing her to the door and wishing her luck, Marta hurriedly heated water for a bath, cut up some vegetables and boiled meat, making a stew. Instead of taking a whole bath, Marta used the water to wash her hair and sponge herself off. Marta put on her best dress and favorite pom pom corset, she snuck into Tessa's room-even though she really didn't have to sneak-to use some of Tessa's rouge for her cheeks. She went back into the kitchen to put the stew pot on the highest hook in the fireplace for it to simmer all day for Tessa. She then left a note that she may not be back until the morning.

Marta went out to the stables and saw Eladio tending to the horses. He smiled and tipped his hat to her. Marta remembered that the first man that came to Tessa's mind about being in her bed that morning was Eladio, had told her that he was 'sweet' on her. She looked at him for the first time in that way. He was a handsome gitano, a little older than herself, a nice smile. But there were no feelings there except for camaraderie. Eladio asked, "Another hot day, ma'am."

"Yes. I have to go into town. Is there a horse available?"

"Senorita Alvarado left for town with two of them. There's Chico," he nodded to the horse's stall. Chico was lazily eating his grain from the box. Marta figured she shouldn't take him in case, God forbid, the Queen needed him. "How about the mare?" She pointed at the roan horse in the last stall.

"I was just going to exercise her after finishing up here," Eladio said as he leaned on the rake. "May I ask why you didn't go with the Senorita?"

"Something just came up."

"Shall I escort you?"

"No, Eladio, I'll be fine. Thank you."

He saddled the mare up and helped Marta on her back. Marta rode fast into town, with wonderment of how the doctor would react to her arrival. He told her to come, but he meant that evening. Marta figured he'd be pleased if she told him that she just couldn't stay away, which was the truth of the matter.

CONTINUED in Encounter 4