Caray, Caray!

Alternate Title: Pedrito de Salamanca - Whose Your Daddy?

Where were we? Oh yes, Camila is on bended knee to beg the new Colonel in town for a chance to visit Ric in prison. She assures them we are decent people and I really need to visit him because, because, well, he is my fiancé (prometido). Colonel who hasn't been asleep says, your cousin or your fiancé. She gulps, both. (now we have discussed this advanced kissing cousins thing so I'm not going there again). Here is an excerpt of Margaret's excellent adventure, I mean recap:

Next Camila, Inez and Vasco go to see Col. Jose and tell him they are looking for their relative “Manuel Darién.” He begins to press them on all their family connections. Camila tells him that Manuel Darién is a merchant. He asks about Vasco’s line of work and Vasco tells him that he’ s the town miller. Ines helpfully adds that her (half)brother is Don Jorge Mancera’s recognized bastard. (I’d say he’s been pretty well recognized on this blog for being a bastard!) Camila pleads that they are decent folk and she really needs to see him because….he’s her fiancé. Col. Jose looks confused. “He’s your cousin or your fiancé?” Vasco asks what he’s been accused of. Col. Jose lays out the pirate charges and the attack on Pto. Paraiso. Ines’s voice jumps an octave in her protests that it can’t be. Cami falls apart. She cries. Col. Jose offers her his hanky.

Then on to the the dungeon. Ricardo receives Camila with open arms and a swoon making kiss. How much time do you have here? He asks. She doesn't know so they resume kissing with great fervor.

Outside Ines asks Vasco, If he isn't accused of anything why don't they let him go? He answers, I don't know, I don't know, but why did you tell them that your brother is the son of Don Jorge? Ines responds that she doesn't know but perhaps it will be useful for something.

The Colonel in his office muses out the window that he believes this is the man we are looking for. Another uniform (sorry, I am such a sucker for any well fitting uniform and forget to look at the face) joins in that he seems just like him (tiene la pinta) and fits the description. Col. adds all the supposed Darien family is connected to the Manceras and the sister-in-law is the sister of Santiago. Always the relatives will cover up for each other. A third uniform enters to announce that the funeral coach arrived to collect the corpse of Uriel Arriaga. Let them take him. Also Jorge Mancera y Ruiz has arrived with a physician to see the man identified as Mateo Ruiz de la Garza. ALSO they have brought a priest with them. All right. As the aide leaves, Col. remarks, if this man doesn't say anything, we will have very little to go on.

Ric tells Camila to stop crying, last night he too had a moment of weakness, but seeing you gave me courage and hope. She worries, even if Pablo tells Mario to come, there are so many guards here. Ric says he refuses to risk the lives of his men. I've seen too many have died and I don't want more. Ric adds, remember when I left San Fernando injured? Mario carried away all my papers and personal things and they are in La Iguana. Tell Pablo to have Mario look for two letters to bring marked from Molinar Pastor. Etch this in your mind, Molinar Pastor. These are the letters we found in LaFont's house. She despairs that they are finished but he encourages her to take heart. How are you going to get out of here? He smiles, perhaps with a stroke of luck.

Back at the filthy looking room that serves as both morgue and sickbay, everyone leans over Mateo. The doctor pronounces he is Very bad, to Don Jorge. Jorge tries to get his attention as Mateo just repeats Jorge with confusion, Jorge tells him not to exert himself. The Col. arrives and tries to question Mateo, who was he with? Jorge cautions that this is a dying man here (duh) then turns to the priest to administer last rights. Whose orders were you working under? Mateo tries to raise his head but only takes one last wordless gasp. Jorge pronounces him dead. They all make the sign of the cross, even the Col. has his reluctant respect in the face of death.

Ricardo asks how the Col. was? Camila says correct and polite even friendly. And, how about the Capitan that was with them at the top of the rock pit? He was on the boat when the ladies arrived in Veracruz after Puerto Paraiso. Camila is pretty sure Ursula had "something to do with him" HUH! is Ric's response. Camila thinks maybe they should offer him money? No, in a prison like this, it's not going to be so easy to bribe someone. But he assures her they will find a way...

Still waiting in the hallway Ines and Vasco pace while Jorge comes in with the Col. He asks what they are doing there, the Col.says they are here to see about a detained relative. As they sweep into the office, Ines wonders if Jorge is there for something related to Ricardo.

Ricardo brings up the other big issue on his mind, since she told him that she heard their baby cry when he was born. Listen, take this calmly, but why did your father and Santiago take you to this village. She says to keep people from realizing she was pregnant. And she stutters that her father promised her she could keep her baby. Ricardo presses on but why were you told the baby died when you heard him cry? She thinks perhaps she could have been mistaken. He broaches the possibility that they lied to her and put the baby in someone else's hands. Why were they so cruel to her to take her to an unknown location and not even give her the comfort of Jimena's company. She begins to consider and cry. He cautions that he may be all wrong but the least they must do is verify what happened. Then he starts to give her advise about what if he can't get out of this place. She refuses to let him speak these horrible words. The guard banks on the bars to warn them that time is up. I don't want you to die. but she doesn't want to hear about it. They kiss, and his tender goodbye is that independently of whatever happens, I want you to know that you are the love of my life. It doesn't matter what you are going to do, Antillano, but I need you to live, to live and so much more. Forever he murmurs as she leaves the cell. He gives thanks to God for getting to see her as he had prayed.

We come back to Jorge spilling his guts to the Colonel. He denies knowing anything about what his friends did or not regarding the assault on the caravan. It is his duty to protect the interests of the crown. Col. says he has trouble understanding how someone as intelligent and highly placed as Jorge could have let this get by him. Jorge with cool dismissal says with friendships so deep and old it is hard to doubt your best buds. Yes, and the contraband? The doors and papers in the administrative offices are open to your inspection. And you can count on my total cooperation. Oh and by the way, I wouild like you to come for dinner at my house. It will be a pleasure. Then the big give comes along. Col. begins to tell how he is looking for a Ricardo ..de Carbohal and Jorge just way to cheerfully adds that he in effect is Ricardo de Salamanca who is the same as the pirate Antillano but he disappeared. So is this the purpose of your mission here? Colonel's cagey answer is, Yes among other things... Jorge's curls bobble as he hopes for the best.

Ines adds to Camila's news about what Ricardo brought out about the baby being alive, by saying that she and Vasco wanted to tell her the same thing. Manuela has learned some things from Lis and they think it is strange, that she has named her foundling, the one that they saw with Lis, Pedro de Salamanca. Ascanio said this is the very name of Ricardo's father. A shadow of a story takes place in Camila's head that somehow, that maldita blindwoman, Lis has connived to rob her of her child, and if she finds out this is true, she swears she will kill her.

Poor little ruffle collared Marcelino is confirming to Eustacio that he is heading off to Mexico City for family reasons that he can't expain. Eustacio asks if Jorge knows yet. Yes, yes, he does. Eustacio wishes him lots of luck, they hug like old friends. Marcelino says it has been an honor to work with him and wishes him good luck too.

Vasco and the Darien women return to SanFer and Vasco gives Pablo instructions about heading off to find Mario, Camila remembers that he must tell Mario to find and bring back the letters found in La Font's house from Molinar Pastor without fail. It's of the utmost importance. Pablo wants to know how his Captain is. Fine, fine, Camila wants to be hopeful, considering what's happening to him. Pablo promises to ride like the devil.

Col. discusses that they will finally be able to question LaFont tomorrow. Now the prisoner is being brought in as Col. taunts him with Senor Manuel Darien, Diego de Lujan, or how should I call you? However you like, Ric answers wisely. In the end neither is your name. I talked with your family which means that you are from here. I am not from here but have lived here for some time. Do you know Jorge Mancera? Sure. And his son? How about Alberto LaFont? I know the majority of inhabitants of San Fernando. Col. hands Rick a crystal glass of wine and says a few days ago there was an assault on a caravan, do you know anything about that? I didn't encounter it. The ship we were sailing on was shipwrecked, we traveled to the beach and there we met your Captain. Col, goes on, I spoke with a culprit sentenced here who said that two months ago under the name of Diego de Lujan came aboard (around) asking him for a contact to sell Spanish silver to some English corsair. Is that true? Yes. Please sit down the Col. indicates. In other words you admit to assaulting caravans. No! Ric repeats, I acted under orders. Orders from whom? Ric then takes the offensive in his suave voice, what is it that interests you Col. stopping robbers? I can help you. By denouncing your accompices? Ric remains calm, I have no accomplices because I have never assaulted a caravan. Nevertheless, I know who did these acts. Do you have proofs? Are you interested? This is why I came. The king is fed up with so many assaults. And the loss of silver shrinks the wealth of Spain. Ric adds that the proofs you need will arrive in a few days. But I will exchange these for something. Col. snorts that Ric is in no position to negotiate and further, there are ways to obligate a man to talk. Sure, there is torture, but nothing is served by a cadaver. Also the man who will bring the proofs will expect to find me alive and in acceptable condition. Col. takes his measure and says what is it you want in exchange? Let me leave. I give my word that in a few days I will return with the proofs. I'm not going to trust some friend of yours. Ric heats up a bit, he has a personal affair to attend to, that is that he needs to find out with his wife whether their son was born alive or dead.

Shortly later the Col. and Cap. are riding off on horses, Col. relates that Ric wasn't insolent but he asked to be let free. Cap. says pardon me sir but we have clear and precise orders. The monsignor is already on his way and if he finds out we haven't completed our work, he's going to be upset. Yes, yes, I know. Cap. continues that there is no charge to bring against him. Well, Col. just pulls rank. He's going to keep Ric right there until this mysterious man appears with the proofs. [So Ric's padrino is behind this one somehow].

Back in the Darien yard Camila and Ines greet Jemena and Paco. Camila goes off to find her father.

While over at the palace Jorge has lined up the office functionaries to announce that unfortunately Don Marcelino had to take a personal leave for personal and family matters and his new choice of manager/intendente is Ascanio Gonsalez. A bold clerk points out that Ascanio has been with them a very short time. Jorge sites the confidence his son has in Ascanio. He directly challenges that one of them may have thought they deserved this distinction as Ascanio calls it more than the young one. They should speak up. With that kind invitation the boys all do a quick bobble heads that the Señor knows best.

Camila shows up at Justo's door. They greet and Justo brings out a lovely picture of her mother when she was about Camila's age. What a sweet face. Justo says Camila always looked much more like her mother than Rita did. This morning you left really early, where did you go. To the prison in San Benito to see Ric. Ric's in prison? Yes, but that's not what she wants to talk about. Do you agree that you told me when I my child would come that I could keep him with me? Sure I did, but he was born dead. Camila stands up, he was born dead or died afterward? You were there? No, but Santiago and I arrived shortly after. Are you sure? I saw him, we buried him. Camila blurts out that she thinks a switch was pulled and that somehow the child that Lis has is her baby. Then she drops the bomb that he is named for Pedro, Ric's father. She doesn't want to accuse Santiago but feels sure he has colluded somehow Lis to take the baby from her. Justo is stunned at this news and assures her that she is wrong and worked up. Camila holds out that she and Ric are going to find out whether their baby is alive and justice will be done.

After the break, Jorge is assuring Ascanio that he is the right man for the job. Ascanio is not so sure and knows some of the more experienced people hoped to take Marcelino's place when the time came. Jorge again assures that they need young people and honest, responsible capable people like Ascanio. AND, if he has this responsible position, he will be all set to achieve the hand of Manuela. In fact, he has already talked to Alberto and his has agreed. Ascanio calmly responds that he knows this is all so he won't pursue bringing forth the falsified papers he has found from the customs office in Veracruz. Jorge delivers the lesson, this is how things go between people of power: favor for favor. Ascanio looks as though he has just swallowed something nasty. [Don't bet on it being swallowed though].

Next Camila jumps Santiago at the blacksmith shop. Justo brings up the rear and Ofelia has to stop her accusations that Santiago is responsible for the loss of her child. The twins realize that she said, her child. Must be nice to be so innocent, huh?

Jorge has to tell Sofia that he had to collect and dispatch the bodies of both Uriel and Mateo. Sofia feigns ignorance, how, where, your two friends are dead and Alberto is both one-eyed and crippled and your son has left the house because he can't agree to your decadence. You seem miserable. She smiles that after years of seeing him abuse power given to him by his parents, she wanted to see him like this. He tells her to enjoy herself. She counters that she only feels sorry for him. He doesn't think he deserves it and says she knows his sins as well as he does. Was it worth it, Jorge. At the moment it did, now, I don't know. She observes that he seems unwell. He justs wants to go up to bed and will see how he feels in the morning. As soon as he climbs the stairs, she orders a servant to fetch the doctor.

Camila's reeming of Santiago continues, how could he not know that Lis has her baby and has even named it Pedro Salamanca after Ricardo's father. Santiago seems genuinely stunned but Camila has her teeth sunk in and is not stopping now. How can she have any confidence in him. Justo assures her from the side that they didn't do anything. Camila demands that Santiago swear by his saints that he did not hand her baby over to Lisabeta. He swears he did. After she storms off Justo reveals that she heard all this from Ricardo. Now Santiago is flips when he hears that Ric is behind this, it has to be another trick by this criminal who deserves to die. He assures the crowd around the table that Camila has surely lost her reason. Ofelia appeals for him to be understanding of Camila's plight.

Over in the palace, the doctor is listening to Jorge's chest and says his heart beat is really fast but doesn't think anything else is wrong. Jorge insists he will be all ducky tomorrow and Sofia tries to reason with him to get some rest, he almost fainted. The doctor leaves it to his discretion and excuses him. A bit unbelievably, Ursula and Fortunata are standing at the end of Jorge's bed observing all of the above. He asks him what they are hanging about for, it isn't time for his wake. They go off talking to each other that he is sure grumpy and must be really tired.

Camla announces to Jemena and Ines that tomorrow she must go to Garbancilla to see the midwife. She momentarily thinks she must be crazy but Ines gives her a boost that she is right to keep pursuing the truth here. Ines sites that Lis was so arrogant to parade her godson in front of Camila the day before. Jemena listens as Camila plans her assault on Garbancilla. She will go to the midwife then find the other woman giving birth to question her. Ines verifies that Jemena will go with Camila and she will go question Candida to find out what she knows.

Ricardo brings his crew up to date when he returns to the prison and lets them know he must try to escape and they are not to stop him or join him that he won't abandon them. They confirm their total confidence in him.

Ascanio joins Santiago at the cafe, he is already up to date from Ofelia so Santiago launches into his usual poor me. He would like the imprisoned Ric to be hung and is sure it is all his fault that Camila has turned against him. Ascanio reasons that they need to verify if the baby that Lisabeta has is Camila and Ric. When Santiago starts to yell his objection, Ascanio demurs, he publically doubts that this is Camila's baby but can see why they want to find out. Santiago is only interested in asserting that it is not his fault. For once he is absolutely right. But Ascanio wants to talk about the dismissal of Marcellino and the offer by Jorge to make him the manager. He reveals that he knows that it is to keep him from talking about the forged documents for the contraband. Santiago then does an interesting twist. He assures Ascanio that pursuing this fraud will end up with his father being hung. He insists that the child is not to blame for the sins of the father [but is he talking about himself or Manuela?, Both?] He accuses Ascanio of wanting more money and then says, well do you love Manuela or not? Ascanio maintains that he can't turn his back on Ricardo's chance to clear his name as the archbishop is about to help him get a pardon. Santiago spits out that this delinquent deserves to die. Santiago stomps out of the restaurant.

Next morning everyone all bright and shiny. Jorge is going out the door with something important to do. Ursula asks if he is going to the wake, but no. even she says the doctor told him to rest. Sofia isn't going either, she seems worried and is going to go with Jorge. She asks for her purse and black cape.

We have a break but there is no rest for the prisoners. Ric feigns weakness [great acting skill here] while the guard whips him to urge him on. Ric really gets a chance to smack him into unconsciousness and begins to take his clothes.

The unstoppable LaFont is drinking something that isn't milk while he badgers the woodworker to get about making him the finest pegleg money can buy. Jorge comes into his bedroom and asks how he is getting on? Lousy snears the crankiest man in SanFer. Jorge brings tidings of the wakes of Uriel and Mateo that are going on as they speak. LaFont's only concern, Did they talk? No. Jorge then happily tells Bouffy of his smart moves in intimating that Ricardo was the pirate responsible for the caravan assaults and LaFont wasn't even with Uriel and Mateo. The only little problem they have is with Ascanio and Santiago. The solution he sees to that is that LaFont will let Manuela marry Ascanio whether he likes it or not.

Next we see Ric with his Mr. Universe shape stuffed like a sausage into a boyscout sized soldier's uniform. He shoots his chained feet apart then hacks at the dangling chains and ankle bands with a rock. Ric fresh from his victory over the suit and the chains finds a peasants horse and the peasants clothes and rides off while the hapless peasants yell ineffectively.

The carriage with Camila, Vasco and Jimena approaches Garbancillo. While Sofia shows up on Justo's porch. He tells the amazed Sofia about the lost baby dilemma and Camila's rage.

Here comes the Colonel again into see LaFont but he gets a chance to see the baby and question Lis with perfect innocence finds out about her godson whom she loves like a real son.

LaFont drinks some more from his medicinal bottle while the servant announces that the Colonel is talking with his wife. Col. is quickly ushered in to the bedroom. Lis coos to the baby and quiets his fussing with calling herself his MOMMY. [Ed. note: Egad, and I am trying to give up swearing, but gag me!!] Back in the bedroom LaFont is entertaining the Colonel with tales that he went not with the boys but to a brothel alone and he doesn't want his wife to know. Clotilde has been sent by Lis to listen to this conversation by the door but a man servant surprises her half way through and she has to scurry off. Then LaFont retells about Ric, his wife's relative, the pirate, blahblah. He rubs his poor old stump while the Col. looks on wisely.

Camila leans on Vasco while they and Jemena try not to get their hopes up too much. There might not be the hoped for ending to the baby story. Switch to Ric arriving at the midwife's in handsome peasant clothes. He kicks in a door or two then turns back outside in time to see Camila roll up in the carriage. They end the evening with a delightful kiss and hug in their joy at being reunited to search for their baby.

Next Jorge prepares to use his daughter as bait for the Colonel. This will be some dinner.

Labels: Pasion