Concha submerged herself completely and came up grinning. ‘Madre de Dios, this is good. I have dreamed of bathing for days now.’
‘I also. Dust and horse sweat are not ideal perfumes.’
‘Better than the reek of incense though.’
Elena laughed. ‘When you put it like that all objection begins to fade.’
They scrubbed themselves vigorously and took the opportunity to wash their hair as well. Then, at length, they climbed out and sat on a sun-warmed rock to dry off.
Elena smiled to herself, imagining her aunts’ expressions if they could see her now. Their disapproval was an irrelevance, of course. It was as though they belonged to a past life. She could well imagine their reactions on learning of her marriage. From now on she would be persona non grata. Dolores was the only family she had left. That was a reunion to look forward to. In the meantime, there was Harry. Even though they spent so much time together she still knew little about him. Just occasionally there would be a tantalising detail but they were few and far between and, more than ever, she found herself wanting to know.
By the time she and Concha had dressed and returned to camp, the fire was made and tea brewing. Then Jack broke out their rations.
‘Simple fare again, but it’ll take t’edge off hunger for a while.’
‘Here.’ Harry handed Elena a mug of tea. ‘Something to wash it down with.’
As she reached for the mug his fingers brushed hers, an apparently inadvertent touch that caused her pulse to quicken. Assuming what she hoped would look like a casual smile she met his gaze.
‘Thank you. It is most welcome.’
‘I promise you a better supper when we reach the next town.’
‘I look forward to it. In the meantime I have no objection to simple fare.’
He smiled wryly. ‘That’s just as well since there will be a lot more of it.’
Hawkes nodded. ‘We’ve had far worse, mind. Army specialised in it. Flour full o’ weevils and salt pork so rancid it climbed out o’ t’barrel on its own.’
‘Flour and pork?’ said Concha. ‘You were fortunate. Often we had to make do with cat or dog.’
‘Nowt wrong wi’ that. Quite tasty if it’s cooked right.’
‘Oh, we didn’t have a fire to cook it.’
‘A bit o’ raw food never hurt anyone.’
‘No, but a half-starved cat is not much between a hundred people.’
Hawkes raised an eyebrow. ‘At least it were meat. Our men were reduced to boiling their boots to make soup.’
‘Our men had no boots. When times were really hard they were forced to eat grass.’
‘Grass! We’d have given anything for grass where we out in t’desert. It were a cause for celebration in t’company if someone found a scorpion to roast. There were no water either so we were forced to suck on rocks just to keep t’saliva flowing.’
‘We did the same,’ said Concha, ‘after we’d scraped off the lichen with our teeth, of course.’
Harry grinned. A stifled choking sound to his right caused him to glance round. As he did so he caught his breath. Elena’s face was alight with laughter. It suited her very well, he thought. Very well indeed. She needed to laugh more often. Leaning closer he murmured confidentially in her ear.
‘I think those two are well-matched.’
‘You’re right, they are.’
‘I also think Jack enjoys this.’
‘So does she.’
‘He likes a worthy sparring partner,’ he replied.
His closeness set her tingling but not with fear. Rather the earlier sensation of suppressed excitement returned. If he leaned a little closer their lips would touch. It shocked her to realise that she wouldn’t have minded if they had.
However, it seemed that such an idea had never crossed his mind because then he drew away again and resumed a companionable manner. Immediately she upbraided herself for refining too much on what was no more than a little light-heartedness.
In fact, Harry was annoyed with himself: he had not expected to feel such a power of attraction and had no idea how it had happened. Things were complicated enough without him making them worse. He would need to be more careful in future.
When they had eaten and the hour drew on, Elena excused herself from the company to take the first watch. From her earlier survey of the terrain she had mentally selected a rocky promontory for her vantage point. It offered concealment but, at the same time, would allow a clear view of the surrounding countryside and the shoreline of the lake. It was unlikely that anyone would get close without being seen or heard. However, the night was quiet. Since the incident with the brigand group they hadn’t set eyes on anyone else. She settled herself down to wait.
It was perhaps half an hour later when she heard the sound of leather on stone somewhere off to her right. Immediately her hand tightened on the butt of her pistol. Casting a swift look around she saw a dark figure emerge from the trees onto the shoreline some fifty yards away. As he stepped from the shadows into the moonlight she recognised Harry at once. For a moment she wondered what he was doing there but when he removed his coat the intention became clear. He sat down to tug off his boots. Then the rest of his clothing followed to reveal the lithe, hard-muscled form beneath. It might have been threatening but it wasn’t. Unable to look away now she watched him wade out into the water. Just as she had done earlier he scrubbed himself thoroughly from head to foot. Having done so, he soused himself and repeated the exercise. She thought he would climb out then but it seemed that was not his intention. Instead he swam away from shore, cleaving the moonlit water in long, clean strokes. He swam like a fish, the light lending a silvery sheen to the flesh of arm and shoulder and buttocks and for a moment she had the fanciful notion that she had unwittingly found a merman. It was undoubtedly voyeuristic but she could not have looked away if her life had depended on it.
He swam perhaps a hundred yards and then returned. This time he did wade ashore. Elena caught her breath. She had not thought until now that a man’s body could be beautiful. It was also virile and dangerous but it was not in any way repellent, awakening thoughts that were both alarming and exciting and creating pooling warmth in the region of her pelvis. The sensation sent another flush of heat along her neck and into her face.
Unaware of the sensations he was causing, Harry dried himself on a linen towel and then, unhurriedly, began to dress himself again. Elena relaxed a little. As she did so her foot dislodged a small stone. It rolled over the edge of the rock, striking the one below it. The sound seemed horribly loud in the stillness. Horrified, she froze. Had he heard it? If so, he would investigate and discover her present position. Then he would realise that she must have been observing him all this time. The ramifications turned her hot all over. However, he gave no sign of having heard anything and with a sense of relief she saw him continue dressing. When he had done so, he bent to retrieve the soap and towel before heading back towards the campsite. She let out the breath she had been holding.
As he reached edge of the trees he paused and turned her way. ‘Goodnight, Elena.’
The words, though quietly spoken, carried with ease in the silence. Moreover, she was certain that she heard a note of laughter too. Mortified by the implications, she could only be glad of the darkness which hid her burning cheeks.
Harry did not advert to the incident next morning and Elena took care to avoid his eye as they struck camp. In some ways the thought that he had found it amusing was worse than anger would have been. It was also difficult to look at him now and not remember what she had seen, or that he had wanted her to know he was aware of the fact. Perhaps there were limits to pretence, after all. And that had other implications.
These thoughts occupied her as they rode on. She was only distracted when her horse cast a shoe some ten miles further on.
‘We’ll find a farrier in the next town,’ said Harry. ‘Fortunately it isn’t too far. We’ll lead your horse with the others. You can get up
behind me in the meantime.’
It was on the tip of her tongue to say that she could just as well ride with Concha, but the words withered and died there. As Jack secured her horse to the pack saddle of one of the lead animals, Harry offered Elena his near-side stirrup. As she slid her foot into the iron he reached down a hand. She took it. An arm like steel propelled her effortlessly onto the horse’s back. He glanced over his shoulder.
‘All right?’
Elena assumed an expression of casual ease. ‘Yes, I thank you.’
Harry nudged the horse with his heels and they set off. Since there was no other option she let her hands rest lightly on his waist, immediately aware of his warmth through the fabric of the jacket. Her vision strayed from the broad shoulders to his neck and the dark hair above his collar and thence to the strong line of his jaw.
‘I’ll check all the horses’ feet when we get to town,’ he said. ‘It’ll be as good an opportunity as any to replace any worn shoes.’
With an effort she found her voice. ‘Good idea.’
‘While the farrier is sorting that out, we can all have a decent meal.’
‘It will be most welcome.’
His lips quirked. ‘Yes. Cheese and chorizo are all very well but a change won’t come amiss.’
‘Were you thinking about a large beefsteak by any chance?’
He laughed. ‘Am I so transparent?’
‘Where food is concerned men are not so hard to read.’
‘Indeed.’
‘I have never yet seen a man who was not mellowed by a good meal and a bottle of wine.’
‘Do I need mellowing, then?’ he asked.
‘It would benefit us all, I think.’
‘A tactful answer.’
‘A truthful one,’ she replied.
‘You have always been truthful, have you not?’
‘I try to be.’
‘I shall strive to follow your example.’
‘That would seem to imply that you have not been truthful. I find that hard to believe.’
‘I’m flattered. However, it is possible...if not to lie, then to evade the truth.’
Her heart beat a little faster. ‘Sometimes evasion is a form of defence. It is easier to hide behind it than to speak of what is painful.’
‘No one wants to revisit such things.’
‘Perhaps not, but if they remain hidden they can fester and cause deeper harm.’
He returned a non-committal grunt and then lapsed into silence. Elena did not care to push the subject any further for fear of alienating him. However, the seed was sown now and she could only hope it might take root.
They reached the town about an hour later, and found the main street and plaza decorated with bunting and lanterns.
‘A party, perhaps?’ said Jack.
‘A local fiesta,’ replied Concha.
Elena smiled. ‘It must be. It has been so long since I had anything to do with one that I had almost forgotten they existed.’
‘And I.’
‘Perhaps we could join in. It might be fun.’ As soon as the words were spoken she felt a twinge of guilt and looked anxiously at Harry. ‘Of course, you may have other plans, my lord.’
He looked at the hopeful faces around him and smiled faintly. ‘Perhaps we might join in, after we’ve seen to the horses.’
Enquiry led them to the farrier without much difficulty, but a check of the horses’ feet revealed half a dozen shoes that needed replacing. By the time the work was complete Harry calculated it would be late afternoon.
‘There’s not much point in setting out again at dusk. We might just as well remain here tonight. Let’s find an inn.’
Elena felt her heart skip a beat. Part of that was due to the thought of attending the fiesta but mostly because an inn meant that she would share his bed again tonight.
Chapter Ten
The fiesta would not start until the middle of the evening so there was plenty of time to enjoy a meal beforehand. Hot, home-cooked food was something they all relished. A hearty soup and a loaf of bread were followed by a plate full of chuletas de cordero with a side dish of alcachofas con judías verdes. Dessert was arroz con leche and a selection of fruits. They washed it all down with a jug of rich red Tempranillo.
For the first time since embarking on this adventure, Elena wished that it had been possible to change out of breeches and boots. Unfortunately all her gowns had been left behind in Madrid. The best she had been able to manage was to wash her face and hands and comb her hair. Harry had made no comment or revealed by so much as a raised eyebrow that he found her appearance lacking, and she was grateful for it. All the same the thought persisted that she would have liked to wear a more feminine costume this evening. She didn’t examine the reasons beyond the fact that they were about to attend a party.
As dusk closed in and the first stars appeared, the local people came out in force. It seemed to Elena that all the generations were represented. Excited children ran about chattering and laughing while the adults talked and strolled beneath the trees in the plaza. Lanterns suspended from the branches lent the whole scene a fairy-tale atmosphere. There was music and wine, and the air was redolent of roasting meat and wood smoke. Later there would be dancing and fireworks.
Elena threw a sideways glance at the man beside her, wondering if he liked to dance. More and more she wished she were wearing something more suited to the occasion. Intercepting that look Harry smiled faintly.
‘You have something on your mind?’
‘Is it so obvious?’
‘Your face often speaks before you do.’
‘In that case I should make a wretched politician and a worse card player.’
‘I fear you would.’ He paused. ‘However, you still haven’t answered the question.’
Under that searching gaze she felt suddenly self-conscious. ‘I was just thinking how long it has been since I last attended a celebration like this. I didn’t realise that I had missed it.’
‘The fiesta is an integral part of Spanish culture,’ he replied. ‘A very vibrant part too. How could you not miss it?’
‘Do you enjoy such things?’
‘In truth I did not get much chance to enjoy them. Duty kept getting in the way. Occasionally I was lucky though.’
‘That’s good. What is it that you say in your country about the consequences of always working and never taking time off?’
‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’
‘That’s it.’ She grinned. ‘But I think you were never dull.’
‘I hope not. Besides, it would be impossible to be dull in your company.’
She could not detect the least irony in his expression. On the contrary she saw something there that was remarkably like admiration.
‘Would you like a cup of wine?’ He gestured towards the tables that had been set up outside a small tavern.
‘Why not?’
She turned to look at Concha. However, the maid shook her head. ‘If you don’t mind, Doña Elena, I want to look around a little more.’
‘Just as you like.’
‘I’ll stay with her, my lady,’ said Jack, ‘an’ see as all’s well like.’
Concha gave him a haughty look. ‘I am quite capable of looking after myself, Englishman.’
‘Aye, I know that. It’s t’other folk I’m worried about.’
She sighed. ‘Very well, since you insist I suppose there’s no help for it.’
‘That’s right, but I’ll bear it as best I can.’ He made an elaborate gesture with his arm. ‘Shall we?’
Concha lifted her chin and muttered something under her breath as she walked past him. Jack grinned broadly and set off in her wake.
Elena laughed. ‘You know, I suspect that she rather likes him.’
‘You think so?’ said Harry. ‘I was rather under the impression that she did not.’
‘She hasn’t hit him or shot him. It’s a positive sign.’
His li
ps twitched. ‘You haven’t hit or shot me. Am I to take that the same way?’
‘You may take it as a sign of respect.’
‘Respect—how very reassuring.’ He poured wine into horn cups and, having handed her one, raised his own. ‘Here’s to continued respect.’
Elena sensed that more lay beneath those words but she drank anyway. The wine was deep red and deliciously mellow. She suspected it was also quite potent. When combined with the present company it was a heady and dangerous mix.
For a while they sat in companionable silence watching the people pass by. In spite of all that had happened she felt oddly content. Perhaps the secret was not to think too far ahead and just live in the moment.
‘Do you not miss your home?’ she asked.
‘Sometimes. What concerns me more is to see justice done.’
‘Towards the new claimant to the title?’
‘If the boy really is my brother’s child, then yes.’
‘Do you find the claim credible?’
‘The lady in question—Alicia—is pretty enough, and genteel. Her birth is respectable, if not noble. I could envisage Jamie falling in love with such a woman.’
‘It was a wartime romance, no?’
‘Apparently so.’
‘To lose her husband so soon after marriage must have been a terrible shock for the lady. To be left alone like that with a young child cannot have been easy.’
‘I don’t suppose it was.’
‘No doubt she will be relieved when the matter is settled,’ said Elena. ‘I am sure that you will find the answers you seek when we reach Seville.’
‘I hope so. It would be something to put an end to all the uncertainty.’ Harry toyed with his cup. ‘A talk with Garrido and Sanchez should do that. Then we can all move on.’
‘How will your family respond when they find out that you are married?’ she asked.
‘With some surprise, I expect.’
‘An understatement if ever I heard one.’
He smiled faintly. ‘You need not be concerned. They will welcome you into the fold.’
‘You seem very certain of that. I am a foreigner, after all.’
Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 9