Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,28

road towards them. Even from a distance there was no mistaking who the riders were.

'Bandits, definitely,' said Jack.

Concha nodded. 'Idiots too, if they think to cross such a large area of open ground unscathed.'

'Quite right,' said Harry. 'Let's take advantage of their stupidity, shall we?'

He lined up his rifle and squeezed off a shot. Almost simultaneously Jack's gun spoke. Two of the oncoming riders fell.

'Not bad,' said Concha.

While the others reloaded Elena took aim. A man cried out, swaying in the saddle and clutching his shoulder. Harry glanced her way and smiled.

'Well done.'

'You also,' she replied.

Concha levelled her pistol and fired, bringing down the leading horse. It fell like a stone, catapulting its rider over its head and causing others to swerve around it. Hurriedly she reloaded while Harry and Jack opened fire. Elena heard cries of pain. She ignored it, knowing that sentiment had no place here. If they were captured the best they could expect was to be robbed of everything. In the worst-case scenario... Cold-eyed, she fired and reloaded, her hands moving automatically and with practiced ease. Then she took a deep breath, took aim again. The riders were closer now and thus easier targets. Concha was right, she thought. They were not competent strategists. Montera certainly wouldn't have let himself get caught in the open like that. She smiled grimly, picked her target and fired. A man clutched his chest and toppled sideways, dead before he hit the ground.

And then, without warning, the remaining riders veered away. For a second or two the significance escaped her. Then she heard Concha's voice.

'They're running! The cowards are running!'

Jack grinned. 'They got more than they bargained for, I'll warrant.'

Elena leaned back against the rock and let out the breath she had unconsciously been holding.

'Are you all right?'

She opened her eyes to see Harry. 'Yes, quite all right, I thank you.'

'That was good shooting. Well done.'

The words cheered her immeasurably, like the hand squeezing her arm. She smiled wryly. 'You weren't so bad yourself from what I could see.'

He returned the smile. 'High praise.'

'No, just the truth.'

Before he could say more, Jack intervened. 'The question is whether they've gone for good or just to fetch reinforcements.'

Harry nodded. 'I think we should leave while we can.'

No one needed telling twice. They remounted and rode fast. Elena urged her horse to a gallop, leaning low over its neck, glancing back from time to time, half expecting to see a larger group of riders behind. The road was empty. Even after several miles there was still no sign of pursuit.

'Maybe just a small group of opportunists, after all, my lord,' said Jack when at length they pulled up to rest their blowing horses.

'Maybe,' replied Harry. 'All the same, we'll ride on for a while.'

Once again no one made the least demur, wanting to put as much distance between them and the scene of the attack as possible. Even though the immediate danger was over Elena still felt the residual thrill coursing through her veins. It had been that way when she and Concha had ridden with Montera's men. The habit was hard to break.

It was dusk before they eventually stopped. There were still no signs of pursuit but he wasn't prepared to take chances.

'We'll exercise caution until we're sure,' he said. 'No fire tonight and we'll double the watch just in case.'

'Right you are, my lord.' Jack looked at Concha. 'Do you take t'first one wi' me, then, lass?'

She returned a cool and level gaze. 'As you wish - lad.'

Elena caught Harry's eye and saw the gleam of amusement there. It drew an answering smile from her. Bone-weary now but exhilarated too, it felt as though something in her had awoken after a long sleep. It wasn't that she relished being attacked by brigands, but rather that the brush with danger made her feel more alive than she had for a long time. Perhaps the present company had something to do with that as well. In any adventure it was important to know that, in a tight spot, one could rely on one's companions. She'd had no doubts whatever about Concha, but today the two men had proved their worth once more. They were cool-headed, swift to act and prepared to be ruthless when required.

'Can I offer you something to eat?'

Harry's voice drew her from her reverie. 'Oh, yes. I thank you. What is on the menu this evening?'

'Bread and cheese.'

'Bread and cheese sound divine.'

'You are easily pleased, my lady.'

'I am hungry, my