Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,38

removing her breeches. In spite of his apparent absence of embarrassment she still lacked the confidence to undress in front of him. Hurriedly she slid into bed and drew the covers over her. Then she heard his voice in the darkness.

'Goodnight, sweetheart. Sleep well.'

The mattress moved as he turned away from her on to his side. Elena's throat tightened and for no apparent reason she wanted to weep.

Chapter Eleven

Towards the end of that week as they descended onto the open plain, the air became sultry and oppressive. By late afternoon dark thunderheads were massing on the horizon. Harry eyed them with misgivings.

'I'd like to find shelter before that lot arrives.'

Jack nodded. 'Aye, my lord. It would be best.'

They rode for another couple of miles but the only sign of habitation was a lone farmhouse in the middle distance. By then the sky was darkening rapidly and the wind picking up. Harry made his decision.

'We'll head for the farm.'

By the time they reached it the first drops of rain began to fall. However, the place looked unprepossessing. The farmhouse itself was rambling and dilapidated with a sagging pantile roof. Elena could see two small windows, now shuttered, and a door made from stout oak planks. In front of it a few scrawny chickens scratched in the dirt. At one end was a midden. Adjacent to it were a small byre and a pigsty. Opposite those on the other side of the farmyard was an old barn.

As they approached the property two large and half-starved dogs set up a frenzy of barking and brought the farmer out to investigate. He silenced the dogs with an oath and then came to look at his visitors. A short and burly individual of middle years, his swarthy face was stubbled with several days' growth of beard. Small dark eyes regarded the newcomers suspiciously.

'What do you want here?'

'Shelter from the storm,' replied Harry.

'Better you find an inn.'

'There is no inn close enough.'

'My house cannot accommodate so large a group.'

Harry kept his tone level. 'The barn, then. We'll pay, of course.' He tossed over a coin.

The man caught it, examining it closely. His eyes widened a little and then he smiled, revealing stained and uneven teeth amongst which were prominent gaps. 'This way, senor.'

They followed him across the yard and waited while he dragged open the door. Then he gestured for them to enter. The barn, though old, was well-maintained and smelled of hay and grain and horses. In the gloom Elena could make out half a dozen stalls, though only two were occupied, currently by heavy draught horses. In one corner were several feed bins, various barrels and a small pile of sacks filled with corn. At the far end a ladder led up to what looked like a hay loft.

'You can sleep up there,' continued their host. 'In the meantime there are stalls for your horses and hay and grain besides.'

Harry nodded. 'We also require food ourselves.'

'That will cost extra.'

'Naturally. What do you have?'

'Tortilla. Jamon.'

'All right.' Harry held up another coin. 'We want bread and wine as well.'

The man's eyes glinted. 'As you wish.'

'We want the food as soon as may be.'

The farmer grunted assent and with that he left them and hurried off towards the farmhouse. Outside the rain fell faster.

'A real charmer,' said Jack.

'We have shelter and food,' replied Concha. 'We can survive without the charm.'

'True enough.'

Harry looked at the others. 'Let's see to the horses, shall we?'

By the time they had unsaddled and rubbed them down the rain was falling in earnest. Elena could only feel relieved to have found shelter for the night. It might not be a palace but it would keep them dry. While the men went to fetch hay, she and Concha measured out a ration of grain for each horse.

They had just finished when the farmer returned. He carried a lantern which he hung on a nail by the door. With him were two younger men, in their late teens or early twenties perhaps. Seeing an undoubted resemblance to the farmer, Elena guessed that they were his sons. One carried a large tray, the other a jug and some horn cups. At their father's instruction they set their respective burdens down on a couple of the larger barrels. Then they turned to survey the newcomers. They glanced at Harry and Jack but their gaze lingered on the two women. Seeing those hot, lascivious looks Elena felt her neck prickle.

Their host smiled unctuously. 'See, here is your