Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords are copyright to Fireworks Productions. No infringement of copyright is intended or revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other original characters are copyright to the author, Elizabeth Milligan.

Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Lisa and Cecilia for their careful editing of this episode, and to Maril for her help and encouragement.

Unfortunate Choice
by Eliza

Part Two of three

Scene 2

To her chagrin, Tessa found that she was a little excited about this evening. She had been to many parties, many dinners since arriving in California, but this was the first time she was going to have an escort. To arrive on the arm of a handsome man added a certain charm to the event -- even if that man was Marcus Grisham.

As they walked through the gate to the rose courtyard, Tessa could feel Grisham puffing up like a peacock at the attention they were getting. Fortunately, Colonel Montoya was close at hand and prevented Tessa from giving in to her impulse to poke the captain with something sharp to see if he would deflate.

"Senorita Alvarado, it is an honour to have you with us tonight." Montoya kissed her hand, warmly, but not overly so. As usual, his manners were perfect. "I see that Captain Grisham has the good fortune of your company." He spoke over his shoulder to catch Sabina's attention. "Querida, a pair of familiar faces has arrived."

Sabina turned away from her conversation with Senor and Senora Gervasio. She must have seen Tessa's appreciation of her appearance, for she took her time in joining the group, allowing Tessa the opportunity to make a thorough assessment. The gown's stylish cut showed Sabina's figure to its best advantage and the dark violet satin accented her pale skin. Tessa could tell that she used cosmetics, but they were applied with a light and skilled hand. Her black hair was coiled artfully on top of her head, the arrangement held in place by pearl-headed pins. A matching pearl secured Montoya's silver-grey cravat. As the rich colour of the gown came into contrast with the colonel's attire of black, white, and grey, Tessa couldn't help but notice what a handsome pair the Montoyas made. Then, as Sabina stopped beside her husband, her skirt swayed, giving Tessa a glimpse of her shoes. The heel of one was pressing heavily into the toe of Montoya's shiny boot.

Tessa glanced quickly at the colonel, but she noticed only a slight tightening in his jaw and a fierce amusement in his eyes. His voice revealed not even a hint of the pain he must be feeling as he said, "Allow me to *formally* introduce one of our most important landowners, Doña Maria Theresa Alvarado."

Sabina then monopolized Tessa's attention with the careful conversation that went with events like this. As skilled as her husband in the social graces, she nevertheless seemed genuinely pleased to see a familiar face, as Montoya had put it. She led them into farther into the courtyard, but her eye was soon caught by activity at the entrance way. "That is the doctor, I assume?" she asked Tessa, who nodded in response. "I had wanted the numbers to be even tonight, but Luis informs me that is almost impossible. Not enough women in the colony I suppose. I am surprised you are not married yet, Senorita. A single woman seems to be a rare commodity in this hostile land." After the standard parting remarks, she glided away to greet the arriving guest.

A low chuckle in her ear reminded Tessa that Grisham was still standing at her shoulder. She looked up at him, putting on a coquettish air. "Does that reaction imply that you agree with the Senora's statement, Captain?"

To Grisham's credit, his reply avoided all of the traps the question held. "That women like you are rare, Senorita? Yes, I agree completely." He offered her his arm, as the announcement for dinner was made, and guided her to her place at the table in the courtyard which was set for an intimate dinner of twenty.

Tessa found herself seated near Sabina at the foot of the table. Don Gaspar was between them and she returned his warm smile as he took his own chair. Don Ricardo was on her other side. Since the unfortunate events that had resulted in Don Alejandro Alvarado's accusations of murder, Don Ricardo and Tessa had developed a friendly business relationship, a system of barter in regard to labour and produce. His orchards were some of the best in the area. Grisham was across the table at Sabina's immediate right, and Doña Juanita Gervasio was on his other side, directly across the table from Tessa. Tessa sighed silently. Juanita would talk of nothing but her engagement to a successful rancher near Santa Monica. Her uncle had made the arrangements, and she was staying at his hacienda until the wedding took place.

Glancing down the table, Tessa noticed that Robert Helm was seated between Montoya and Vera. Since she assumed the colonel had made the seating arrangements, Tessa wondered that Helm had done to annoy the colonel this time. Or it could be that this was just the result of Montoya's perverse sense of humor which seemed to present itself from time to time. The grin that Vera sent Tessa as their eyes met confirmed Tessa's suspicion that Helm was going to need a tonic for indigestion by the end of the evening. He was not going to be allowed to have a relaxing meal.

The colonel's cook had outdone herself today. Not only was the meal delicious, as always, but she had taken extra care with the presentation. She had roasted sweet red peppers, smoothed them through a sieve, and mixed them with cream to make a simple, yet elegant soup. She crowned each bowl with an artful arrangement fresh herbs as it was served. Rather than the standard ovals, she had pressed the polenta into small, fluted molds to create a repository for a sauce that was rich with wine and butter. She had taken the time to slice and fold the pastry into an intricate lacework which she used to envelop tender beef. Her discerning eye and deft hand were evident in the myriad of other small, painstaking details gracing the table.

The conversation was varied and lively for an event like this. Don Gaspar and Don Ricardo were polite enough to try to include Tessa in the conversation as they discussed the problems in making a profit from their holdings. Although she had to be careful, she managed to show herself knowledgeable about the day to day running of the ranch, and the men seemed pleasantly surprised and encouraged her opinion. She reluctantly returned to her act of flighty ignorance, however, when it came to larger issues of government and finance. This they seemed to accept with typical indulgence; it made sense that a woman would know how to run her household, even if that household extended to the wider property, but decisions on a larger scale should be left to the men.

The topic moved to Juanita's wedding, and Tessa saw the men exchange patronizing looks. She didn't know what they had to complain about; there was no way that they had heard the stories as many times as she had. Sabina had not had that dubious pleasure and Juanita took advantage of her interest. It was during this conversation that Tessa's hopes for an ally against Montoya were dashed. She had been optimistic that the colonel's harsh approach in dealing with criminals, particularly minor ones, could be tempered by a woman's influence. Instead, she came to see that Sabina was the more likely of the pair to demand excessive restitution, as she encouraged Juanita to withhold payment from her seamstress.

"If the seamstress has not completed the work within the promised time, and to your complete satisfaction, then she should not receive a centavo," Sabina advised. "Do not let the lower classes take advantage of you, Senorita. It is a bad habit to get into and will adversely affect your household. Demand respect and obedience at all times. It is your right."

The flow of discussion changed again, but Tessa's thoughts lingered on the adamant tone of Sabina's counsel. It disturbed her a little. Montoya was always careful to keep is actions within the law, but Sabina might not have such restraint, for she seemed to consider herself above legal boundaries.

As the last morsels of the exceptional hazelnut flan were being tasted and the last sips of coffee taken, Montoya rose to his feet. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for allowing us the pleasure of you company tonight. It warms my heart to see the generosity in the welcome that you have given my dear Sabina to our little piece of paradise...."

Tessa glanced over at Grisham and was surprised to see that although he seemed to be facing Montoya, he had pushed back his chair to keep Sabina within his line of sight. The strange expression on his face prompted her to take a careful look at the senora as well. Sabina's expression was serene, and there was a small smile on her lips, but her eyes were hard and cold as she gazed upon her husband.

A change in Montoya's tone brought Tessa's attention back to the colonel. "... I hope you will join us in a dance to honour the profound grace of my loving wife." He signaled to the musicians to begin as he walked the length of the table to Sabina. He offered his hand with a bow and she accepted with a nod, then they moved to the dance floor. Tessa wondered if the colonel's boots would survive the experience.

At this signal, the table broke into a brief round of applause. Chairs were then pushed back, and a number of couples moved to join the Montoyas on the dance floor. Tessa said her farewells to Don Ricardo as he helped her from her seat. It seemed that he was planning to escape early with the excuse of having a mare about to foal. It was the one reason that Montoya was unlikely to question. Gaspar had hurried to reclaim his wife, and the Hidalgos had joined the dancing couples. That left Doctor Helm standing alone and in peace. Tessa smirked to herself as she made her way toward him. //We can't have that now, can we?//

"It is a pleasure to find you here tonight, Doctor."

Tessa could almost see Helm wince, but he covered it well. "Senorita Alvarado. I see that you have a new admirer."

"Yes, Captain Grisham has been attentive of late." She turned to find Grisham across the courtyard in conversation with Don Alonso and his wife. "And he does look very handsome in his dress uniform. A girl could do worse."

"But not much," Helm muttered under his breath.

Tessa almost snickered, but managed to reply in a completely innocent tone. "I beg your pardon, Doctor. Did you say something?"

"I would think that a woman as beautiful as you could set a higher standard, and not just settle for the first handsome face that turns her way."

//Beautiful? Now that was a first.// Tessa wondered what had prompted this sudden personal interest on the part of the doctor. She decided to test his reaction. "There isn't a great deal of choice in this part of the world. And a woman in my position has to be careful of fortune hunters. The captain has been very concerned on my behalf." Tessa turned her gaze to Grisham and brought the handle of her fan to her lips. Grisham caught her look and replied with a nod and a smile, but Tessa didn't see any reaction to her covert gesture. Helm on the other hand took a deep breath and let it out in a soft, disgusted snort. She allowed herself a little grin before turning back to the doctor. "Yes, he has been *most* attentive. If you will excuse me, Doctor."

She thought that she could feel his eyes on her as she walked toward Vera, who was now standing near the fountain. The first words from her friend corroborated the impression. "What did you say to Dr. Helm? He was positively entranced as he watched you walk away."

"I was just being a little wicked."

"I saw you. Flirting with Captain Grisham across a crowded room... Tsk. Tsk. I'm certain he would appreciate the invitation for a kiss, but I don't think he knows the language of the fan."

"He doesn't... but Dr. Helm does."

"Tessa!" Vera giggled. "You *were* being wicked. So, you have finally shocked the doctor into believing that you are a woman and not a little girl. Don't look so piqued, Tessa. Anyone could see that you are taken with the man and that he barely noticed you – until tonight."

"Not everyone would see, Vera. Only someone with your keen observational skills."

Vera raised an eyebrow and gave a small smile in response to this elegant avoidance of the topic. Tessa excused herself, and wandered in the direction of the house and the facilities that Montoya always thoughtfully provided for the ladies during his parties. He may be a greedy, vicious murderer, but he was an excellent host.

As Tessa returned to the courtyard, she passed behind one of the rose-covered trellises. She paused for a moment, out of sight of the rest of the gathering, her attention caught by a very familiar voice.

"... walking in with my best friend on your arm. At least I no longer have to wonder what you truly feel for me." Vera sounded very upset, but there was something in her voice that made Tessa wonder at the sincerity of the words.

Grisham didn't seem to question it. "I care about you more than anyone in the world. How can you doubt that?"

"Do you want a list? Shall I begin with the laudanum?"

"I was supposed to kill you," he protested.

"That makes me feel much better, Marcus," Vera practically snapped, but then renewed her sorrowful, wounded tone. "Why Tessa? Anyone else I could harden my heart against, but I like her."

"It's Montoya's idea. He wants me to marry her. He worries about her on her own and feels that the hacienda would be better off under the guiding hand of a husband. I tend to agree, but I keep hoping that she'll find someone else so that I don't have to become that husband." There was a short pause, and upon hearing the tone of the next sentence, Tessa could almost see the smoldering look that was certain to be in Grisham's eyes. "Nothing could keep me away from you, Vera, but I wouldn't want to have to divide my time with a wife. Taking Tessa to parties helps to keep the colonel off my back. She's a sweet girl, but you are the one I dream of."

"We will talk about this later, Marcus." Vera's tone implied that Grisham had convinced her but that she would require... compensation. The relieved sigh he gave as she left him to rejoin the party helped confirm Tessa's assumption.

Tessa also believed most of what Grisham had said. It made sense that Montoya would have a hand in this courtship, though the reasons were probably not so benevolent. And yet the kisses Grisham had given her were not those of a man acting under extreme duress. Tessa smiled to herself. It might be interesting to play this little game a while longer, especially given Doctor Helm's interesting reaction. Also, she had just seen a way out of her predicament with the ardent captain should he become too much of a pain. She smoothed her dress and arranged her expression so that it would seem that she had just made her way back into the courtyard.

Act III

Scene 1

It was a welcome relief to return to his quarters after seeing to his morning duties. During that time, Grisham had been stopped by half a dozen peasants and tenant farmers asking about the new tax, asking him how the colonel could tax their children. He brushed them all off with the excuse that he was just following orders. They would have to talk to the colonel. Only one man, Hector Domenico, looked as if he might consider the suggestion. But then his wife had just given birth to their seventh child and, by some miracle, every one of their other children were still alive as well. He prided himself on the way that he had taken good care of his family; this head tax would be harder on him than most.

Grisham had just stretched out across the foot of his bed when he heard his door open. His first thought was that it was Vera, coming to collect her payment for having her feelings hurt last night. To his dismay, Montoya walked in.

The colonel paused for a moment, and then smirked at Grisham's expression. "I'm sorry to be such a disappointment, Captain." The smirk faded. "I have been cloistered with Sabina all morning and had to get out. I thought you would be able to apprise me of the head-tax situation before I go for a ride. If I am lucky, I might get thrown. Maybe fall off a cliff and drown."

At one time, Grisham would have considered that his good fortune too, but with the senora in residence, he was not so sure. She was out of his league and he knew it. It was much better having the colonel as a buffer. Grisham rose from the bed as the colonel took a seat in the lone chair in the room. "You were right. This is going to become more trouble than it is worth. I know there are rumblings among the dons, but none of them bother complaining to me."

A rueful chuckle from Montoya interrupted Grisham's report. "Sabina is sitting at my desk at the moment. Let her deal with them. Continue, Captain."

"The people who have been coming to me are not the usual bunch who always complain that they can't pay their taxes. These people are asking *how* they are going to pay the taxes. How could Monterey do this to them? That official notice did take some of the blame off of you, Colonel."

"And what have you been telling them?"

"I've been telling them to talk to you," Grisham replied, with more than a hint of reluctance.

"Thank you," said Montoya sarcastically, then he became serious again. "This is what I had been worried about. I knew the dons would complain, the dons always complain, but it is the people who usually pay the taxes without complaint -- the artisans, the merchants, the successful farmers – the ones that will pay what they are asked to as long as they are able that will be incited to action with this imprudent squeeze. Revolution is in the air, Grisham. We do not need to ignite the vapors. Not yet at least." He said the last with a hint of the avaricious optimism that seemed to be missing in him of late. Then it faded and Montoya wearily ran a hand over his face.

"You look like you could use a drink, Colonel."

"That I could, Captain, but I had better keep a clear head. There is nothing more dangerous than an ambitious woman. Is it any wonder that it was the cautionary tale of Macbeth that started me on my love of Shakespeare?"

Montoya leaned back in the chair. The colonel seemed in the mood to talk, and Grisham was usually in the mood to listen as long as the monologue was not a lecture for his benefit. He didn't dare ask a question to prompt a discussion of Sabina, but he stood attentive, waiting for the colonel to continue.

This posture seemed to be enough to prompt Montoya to explain. "My father thought that it would be a good idea to marry me to the youngest daughter of an ancient and noble household. They had more women in that family than they knew what to do with so a marriage to a man with some money and a few connections, despite his unfortunate choice of parentage, was considered good business by the head of the family. Sabine was - is - a beautiful woman. At sixteen, she was fresh and delicate, sweetly shy. I thought I had made a wonderful match and my father was convinced that this was the way to ingratiate his family name into the more illustrious ranks. It had not worked for him, why would he think that it would work for me? This is why I try to convince you to use the head on your shoulders, Grisham. If I had been thinking clearly, I would have seen that in Spain this was an impossible dream. Here, however, society is a little more... flexible. And power can be attained without patronage.

"The first couple of years of marriage were pleasant, but I soon discovered that Sabina was not content to be the wife to a well educated, respected, comfortably wealthy officer. She wanted to travel in the highest circles and she used whatever means – *whatever means* -- she could think of to gain favour. My father supported and encouraged her schemes. And, for a time, I allowed them to sweep me along." Montoya rose from the chair and crossed to the door. Grisham was certain that he heard a softly muttered comment, "Stupid."

A thought suddenly occurred to the captain. "Why would you encourage my marriage to an aristocrat if you knew what hell it can be?"

Montoya stopped with his hand on the latch and turned with a smug smile. "I doubt that Doña Maria Theresa would give you this kind of trouble. I would marry her myself, but, as you can see, I am otherwise occupied."

Scene 2

Outside of Colonel Montoya's office was one of the last places Hector wanted to be. He had always tried to stay out of the authorities' lines of sight. He did his work, took care of his family, and paid his taxes. That's why he was here: this head tax was going to make it impossible to take proper care of his children, and they were worth the risk. He raised his fist and knocked on the door. The latch must not have caught for the door swung inward. When he looked in, he saw a beautiful woman seated at what could only be Colonel Montoya's desk. She raised her head, seemingly annoyed at the interruption.

"Excuse me, Senora," he mumbled, and quickly turned away to leave.

"Were you looking for the colonel, my husband?" she asked. Her voice held a very different tone from his first impression. Hector turned to face her again and saw that she now wore a welcoming expression. Her small smile widened as she rose from the desk and gestured that he should enter the room. "I am Doña Sabina Montoya. Perhaps I can help you?"

//Doña? It was nerve racking enough dealing with a high-ranking soldier but a noblewoman...?// Hector didn't quite know how it happened, but he found himself seated in a chair in front of the desk as he heard the click of the closing door. The senora smiled at him again as she returned to her place behind the desk.

"Now, Senor..." She was awaiting his name.

"Hector Domenico," he managed to croak out.

"Senor Domenico, how could my husband be of service to you?"

She seemed very willing to listen, so Hector sat up straighter in the chair, cleared his throat, and renewed his determination to find a solution to his problem. "Senora Montoya, I have come to discuss the new tax that is being imposed." Her nod was slow and thoughtful. It encouraged him to continue with confidence. "I have always paid my taxes, the allotted share from the sale of my crops, but this tax is beyond my means. It is my children, Doña. I have seven beautiful children and am being asked to pay a tax on them that will cause them hardship. I have come here to find a way to avoid this."

She rose from her chair and came to stand in front of him. With her dark hair, pale skin, and compassionate and serene expression, she reminded Hector of the exceptionally beautiful statue of the Lady that he had seen in the cathedral on his sole trip to Monterey. Her voice was full of regret, as she said, "As you must know, Senor, my husband takes his position very seriously. Some may say too seriously, for he is almost fanatical in his devotion to his duties. I cannot imagine him bending on this issue. The order has come directly from the Viceroy himself."

She moved a little closer, leaning slightly on the desk. "I have tried to soften his heart. It pains me to see families strained by the burden placed on them by rulers that have no knowledge of their plight." She leaned even closer, and he caught a hint of the delicate scent that she wore. He was about to move to a more prudent distance, but her next words were soft and spoken in an almost conspiratorial tone causing him, in fact, to lean toward her. "I have heard that there is someone who tries to redress these unfortunate oversights. A woman... who carries a sword."

"The Queen," he gasped.

"It is true then? She has aided those who find themselves, through extenuating circumstances, under penalty of the law?"

Hector nodded. Although he had never seen her himself, her deeds were legendary, and he admired her sense of justice.

"Perhaps we should use her as an inspiration to find a solution to this predicament. How would she likely handle this situation?" The senora sounded a little like a teacher conducting a lesson, but no teacher of Hector's had ever spoken so gently or looked so beautiful.

"She gives gold to people who are in danger of losing everything to..." Hector suddenly remembered to whom he was speaking... "the state."

"Why can she not give you the gold for the taxes?"

Hector looked at his hat that he held on his lap. "She gets the gold by intercepting the tax shipments to Monterey. They are well guarded. I could not ask her to risk her life for me."

"But would you be willing to take the risk?"

"Rob the shipment?! That would be suicide!" Hector could not believe that she would even suggest such a thing of him.

Senora Montoya laughed lightly. "No, Senor Domenico. Nothing so drastic. There is a much tamer target and I am willing to make it even more docile."

Hector said nothing; he just stared at the woman in wonder. She must have taken that as interest for she continued, "My husband keeps a sizable supply of gold in his office. It is in the cabinet behind me, in the bottom right-hand drawer. There is a false bottom to the drawer. There should be enough gold to pay your taxes and for you to come to the aid of a few people in a similar situation."

The idea did have a certain appeal; to have the courage and conviction of the Queen was enticing. "But I am no thief. I am certain to be caught."

The senora's expression changed. He couldn't say exactly how, but the interest and compassion took on a different quality. "Do not worry. I can arrange to have the guards stationed elsewhere. All you have to do is go in the servants' entrance and though the courtyard. I will make sure the door is unbolted."

This was starting to worry him. It was starting to seem possible. "The colonel..."

"Will be occupied."

She smiled again and Hector knew that this was more than speculation. She expected him to go through with it. He watched her eyes narrow as he struggled to find the words to tell her that this was an impossibility.

"Senor Domenico, you are not having second thoughts, are you?" Again he opened his mouth to tell her exactly that, but no words actually came out. Abruptly, he found himself pressed against the back of the chair with Sabina Montoya very close to him. She had the look of a snake eyeing a chick she was about to devour.

"Hector, we seem to have a problem."Her voice was soft and smooth, and seemed to coil around him, holding his attention. "You see, I have told you far too much to allow you just to walk out of here. Perhaps I should scream? The guard would be on hand very quickly to escort you to the jail to await the pleasure of my jealous husband. Or I could let you go. But we have been in here some time, with the door closed. If someone has noticed..." She stood back. She must have seen the comprehension dawn in his eyes. Her smooth facade was back in place, but Hector could see the cracks in it now that he knew where to look.

"One hour after sunset tonight," she said evenly.

He rose to his feet and nodded, sealing his fate. As he walked out of the office, he vowed that he would only take enough to meet the taxes. The rest would go to those in the same position as he was in. Maybe he could find a way to contact the Queen, so that he would not be further implicated in this detestable deal and remove the risk to his family.

When the church came into view, he also vowed to say twelve Ave Marias in penance for daring to compare Sabina Montoya to even a statue of Our Lady.