Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,64

and to be helpless to prevent it. After such an experience pain and guilt had a tendency to turn inward. Her answer had been to seek a quiet house in the country, his to throw himself into his work. Then fate had brought them together and offered another way. Harry had once told her that he saw no reason why they could not have a future together. Perhaps he too had glimpsed the possibility of happiness. It was her failure to trust him that destroyed that chance, a failure now bitterly regretted.

She returned with the water and set it to boil. Then she began to help Concha prepare some food. She avoided looking at Harry. It didn't go unnoticed.

'Is everything all right between the two of you?' asked Concha, sotto voce.

Elena was about to answer in the affirmative but the words wouldn't come. In any case it was a waste of time trying to pretend anything to Concha.

'Not really. In fact, it's about as bad as it could be. Not his fault either.'

'Do you want to tell me?'

'I'm not sure I can at present.'

Concha made no attempt to probe but merely continued to slice bread. 'You mean to apologise, then, for whatever it was that caused offence, no?'

'An apology will not suffice.'

'Oh. That bad.'

'Yes, that bad.'

'Well, even if apologising does not suffice, it's a start.'

'I'm not sure he'd even listen.'

'Is your relationship worth the effort of trying?'

There was only one answer to that and Elena knew it. Being at odds with Harry just made her feel wretched. All the same, she had no idea how to mend fences with him. Even knowing what he did of her past he had wanted to make her his wife anyway. He must be feeling very disillusioned to say the least.

Later, after they had eaten and begun to think about retiring for the night, she got up and checked the priming of her pistol.

'I'll take this watch.'

Harry frowned. 'You should get some rest, Elena. You had a late night last night.'

'So did you,' she replied.

'I don't want you falling asleep at your post.'

'I won't fall asleep.'

Seeing she wasn't going to be dissuaded he gave in. 'All right. I'll take over in a couple of hours.'

She nodded. 'As you wish.'

With that she strolled away, taking up her position beneath a tree some fifty yards off. She was quite unaware of the gaze that followed her.

The two hours of her watch passed slowly and she found herself stifling yawns. The day's ride and the lack of sleep were beginning to tell now and she was looking forward to her bed even if it was on hard ground. The night air was cool and she shivered a little. Fortunately there were no other signs of life, save for the insects in the grass and the occasional call of an owl. When her limbs grew stiff she got up and walked around a little. It helped but not much. After that she didn't dare sit down again in case she dozed. With the mood Harry was in she didn't want to lay herself open to further criticism. She sighed and leaned back against the tree.

A little later she heard a familiar voice. 'Anything to report?'

Her heart missed a beat. Then she was annoyed with herself. Even now she still was caught out by Harry's ability to move softly. 'No, it's all quiet.'

'You must be worn out by now. Go and turn in.'

'In truth I don't mind if I do.' She made to leave, then hesitated. 'Harry, about what happened before...'

'Forget it.'

'I can't forget it. Nor I think can you.'

His tone became more guarded. 'What is it you wish to say, Elena?'

'That it wasn't your fault.'

'Is that supposed to make me feel better?'

'I wish it may but somehow I doubt it.'

'You'd be right.'

She licked dry lips. 'I can only say that I'm sorry.'

'So am I.'

Her heart sank. The damage had gone deeper than she'd thought and he wasn't ready to talk about it. Better to go now before she annoyed him any further.

'I'll turn in, then.'

'Do that.'

'Goodnight, Harry.' She hurried away, keen to be gone now.

For a moment or two he watched her, grim-faced. Then he leaned against the tree and swore under his breath. He shouldn't have let her go like that and he knew it. She'd tried to make a conciliatory gesture which, after what had passed between them, must have taken a good deal of courage, and he'd behaved churlishly. He'd avoided her all day but