Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,49

in Cadiz on business,' said Harry.

'I imagine so.'

'I hope I shall not miss him.'

'My understanding is that he'll be there awhile yet.'

'That's good to hear.' Harry's mind was already moving ahead. 'Besides, it is not so far to Cadiz.'

'Will you leave at once?'

'No. My wife and I have a social obligation to attend to first.'

Garrido looked genuinely surprised. 'Your wife is with you as well?'

'That's right.'

'It is a long and hard journey from Madrid. Most women would hesitate to undertake it.'

'She is not like most women,' said Harry.

'Indeed not. She must be remarkable.'

'Yes, she is.' As he said it Harry recognised the words for truth. 'All the same she is glad to have a few days' break in town.'

'I can imagine.' Garrido smiled. 'Pray convey my respects to the lady.'

'I'll do that.'

Harry rose from his chair and the two men shook hands warmly.

'If ever you return to Sevilla I hope you will call upon me,' said Garrido.

'I'll make a point of it, senor.'

With that Harry took his leave. He barely noticed the journey back; his mind was elsewhere. He wanted to tell Elena his news. Even though he'd been gone barely an hour he realised he'd missed her. Already she had become so much a part of everyday life that it was hard to recall a time when she hadn't been there. Now that he thought about it the years since Belen had been a void that he'd tried to fill with work and the dreary social round. Somehow, without his being aware of it, the void was gone and with it all sense of dreariness. There hadn't been a dull day since first he met Elena.

She was waiting for him in the private parlour and rose eagerly to meet him, her expression both anxious and hopeful at once.

'Well?'

He handed her the sheet of paper that Garrido had given him earlier. She took it and scanned the contents, then gave him a quizzical look. Harry grinned.

'It's Xavier Sanchez's direction.'

For a moment she stared at him; then her face lit in a dazzling smile. 'Oh, Harry, that's wonderful.' Impulsively she crossed the intervening space and hugged him. 'I'm so pleased for you.'

He lifted her off the floor and swung her round. 'Isn't it marvellous? I never hoped for so much.'

'Cadiz is not that far.'

'You're right.' He gave her a resounding kiss and set her down. 'It is not above eighty miles. With luck we can be there in a week.'

Feeling a little breathless now and keenly aware of the hands still spanning her waist, she tried to concentrate.

'Do you want to leave straight away? I mean, we can forgo the ball if you'd rather. I'm sure the conde would understand.'

'By no means. This news should be celebrated.'

'I think it should.'

He looked into her face and his expression became more intense. Then, slowly, he bent closer and his mouth met hers in a gentler and altogether more intimate embrace. Elena leaned towards him, sliding her arms round his neck. His hold tightened and he drew her against him, seeking her response. Instinctively her mouth opened beneath his, her tongue flirting lightly with his.

A familiar heat flared in his groin. It shocked him to realise just how badly he wanted her; wanted to undress her, take her to bed and make love to her all afternoon. Imagination only increased desire and heightened arousal.

With a real effort of will he drew back knowing he couldn't afford to take this any further; that to do so would undo everything he had achieved over the past few weeks. Elena wasn't ready for a display of unbridled passion. She needed tenderness and patience. Besides, he had no right to make her his when he hadn't yet told her the whole truth. He felt ashamed of his reticence now. She was beginning to trust him without having any idea of what she was really doing. Once again the knowledge of her vulnerability only enhanced his guilt. There was only one right course of action now.

Elena felt him draw away mentally as well as physically, but her dominant emotion was disappointment rather than relief. His kiss filled her with new and wonderful sensations and she had not wanted him to stop. On the contrary her imagination had supplied a series of images that were decidedly titillating. However, it seemed that Harry wasn't yet prepared to take things to a different level. He had denied feeling disgust about her past, and part of him did desire her, she was sure