“I risk my life in the service of you and your friends, and am to have no reward?”
“A man of gentle blood would not think of being rewarded for such a thing,” she replied.
The face of Captain Ramón flushed and he took another step toward her. “I am sick of hearing so much of gentle blood,” he said. “Mine is gentle enough, but it also can be hot at times. Am I a man to brook such nonsense? You owe me gratitude, and something more! One embrace, at least, here and now!”
“Señor!” she cried.
“Would you be so coy if the cursed Señor Zorro were here to beg a kiss?”
“More insults, señor?” she asked, her face flaming.
“Is it an insult for the daughter of an impoverished don to be kissed by one of his excellency’s officers?”
“And would my father be impoverished were not his excellency a man of little honor?” she cried. “Poverty does not change the blood, señor!”
“More about your gentle blood, eh? And an affront to the Governor in your words, also? That calls for punishment, señorita! One embrace and then I ride!”