Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,27

you.' Harry picked up the spare pan. 'A mug of tea wouldn't go amiss just now.'

The stream was only a short distance away and the pan wasn't heavy, but Elena made no demur for the thought of his company was not displeasing.

'I think Jack may have met his match there,' he observed when they were out of earshot.

'Don't be in any doubt about it. I've never seen Concha bested.'

'Is her nature really so warlike?'

'No more than mine, but we can defend ourselves when we have to.'

'That role falls to me now,' he replied.

She shot a look his way but his expression was perfectly serious. The notion sat oddly with her.

'It may take some time to adjust to that idea.'

'Is it not a husband's first duty to protect his wife from harm?'

'So tradition has it.'

'Well, then.' He paused. 'Will you trust me so far?'

'I trusted a man once before but on that occasion my trust was misplaced.'

'He has much to answer for, but I hope to restore your faith in our sex.'

'That may take some time.' It was an understatement: she wondered if she would ever be able to trust in that way again. While she felt an instinctive liking for Harry and he had behaved in a gentlemanly fashion thus far, would he stand by her in extremis? Would she be able to rely on him or would he too prove to have feet of clay?

'No matter. We have plenty of that, and I know how to be patient.'

His gaze met hers and held it. There was no discernible trace of arrogance or mockery, only quiet certainty, and it sent a tremor through her that had nothing to do with fear.

Later, after they had eaten and Jack had gone to take first watch, the others turned in. Elena was weary now. Quite apart from the day's ride, she had slept little the previous night. Of course, there had been considerable distraction then even though her fears came to nothing. It would be some time before she and Harry shared a chamber again and it was unlikely he'd initiate any kind of intimacy while they were on the road. She was safe enough for the time being.

* * *

Over the next few days the little group of travellers settled into a routine. Harry soon discovered that his marriage to Elena had not altered the original modus vivendi within the group as a whole: she and Concha still undertook their share of the chores with good grace, they took their turns on watch and neither of them complained about cold rations, long days in the saddle or hard ground at night. Both rode well and were knowledgeable about the care of horses. He never had to remind them of anything. Thus far the arrangement was working out better than he could have hoped. It seemed he wasn't the only one to think so since Jack had privately confided that he thought both ladies regular troopers.

'I've not heard one complaint so far,' he went on, 'which same does surprise me, being as how they're women an' all.'

'Men do their share of complaining,' replied Harry. 'Remember Private Digby?'

'Couldn't ever forget t'cove, my lord. Blighter could've moaned for England.'

'Actually I think he did.'

Jack nodded. 'It were a relief to all concerned when he finally stopped a bullet at Talavera. I expect he's still complaining to t'devil about it now.'

'Very likely.'

'T'ladies could teach him a thing or two about fortitude, eh, my lord?'

'Yes, they certainly...' Harry broke off as a flash of light caught his eye on the hillside ahead. 'Did you see that?'

'Aye, my lord. Sunlight on metal. Musket barrel?'

Harry reined in. 'My thought exactly.'

It seemed they weren't alone in noticing the phenomenon. Elena pulled up beside Harry. 'Bandits do you think?'

'Quite possibly.'

'What do you want to do?'

Before he had time to answer a shot whined past his ear. Harry swore under his breath.

'Take cover among those rocks.'

They needed no urging, nor did they show any signs of panic, reacting much as trained soldiers would have done. In less than half a minute they had reached shelter, dismounted and armed themselves. They were only just in time as more lead shot whined past and ricocheted off stone. It was followed by shouts and a thunder of hooves.

'Here they come,' muttered Concha.

Elena checked the priming of her pistol. 'We'll give a good account of ourselves anyway.'

Squinting round the edge of the sheltering rock she saw ten horsemen hurtle down the slope and thence along the dirt