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Diego had never hated his father more than in that moment. Esteban Morales had always expected far too much of his offspring—especially from Diego.
“I don’t know how you expect me to make a fortune in less than two weeks.”
“I don’t. I only expect to see something that proves you are moving forward. Secure a position with one of your brothers. Come to work for me. Prove yourself to be a man, and you may remain in this family. Do nothing, and you will be put from our home.”
With that, his father stalked out of the room. Diego stared after the old man. It was all he could do not to follow himand beat him to a pulp. He wanted proof that Diego was a man—well, that would certainly show him.
Diego clenched his hands and jaw, as he often did when things weren’t going his way. He wished he’d proposed to Isabella before she’d headed east. He’d meant to. He’d been planning to ask her since she turned twenty-five. The understanding was there, just not the formality. He even had a ring. His mother had given him one of his grandmother’s emerald rings. It would make a perfect engagement ring. So why hadn’t he asked Isabella to marry him?
He shrugged. He enjoyed being single. He liked the freedom it allowed him. He had toyed with half a dozen young ladies from decent families up and down the coast of California. He even had a child or two among women of loose morals. They had no expectations of him, however. They were those kinds of women, and they knew he was that kind of man. There was no pretense. Diego gave them money from time to time but never anything more, and certainly no promises of love or marriage. No. He would marry Isabella Garcia. She was completely head over heels in love with him, and he found her more than tolerable. She was a great beauty, and all of his friends thought him lucky to be in the position to marry her and take over her fortune.
He smiled to himself. He would speak with her aunt about the situation and make plans for a wedding as soon as possible after Isabella returned from New Mexico.
