Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,77

with their journey. The roads were still sticky but the sun would dry them in a few hours.

'At least we'll be free of dust for a while,' said Concha.

Elena nodded. 'Yes, there is that.'

The end was almost in sight now and she was glad for Harry, knowing that what he sought was almost within his grasp. She allowed her imagination to move ahead, to England, when they could live properly as man and wife. How much she wished for that. She would do everything in her power to make it work. Even if she was not the love of his life it did not mean that they could not be happy together. Plenty of married couples were in the same situation but they managed well enough and perhaps, in time, he might develop deeper feelings for her.

After so many years of wandering and uncertainty the thought of having a proper home held a strong appeal. She wanted to visit his home too, wanted to meet his family, to be part of something once more. She even began to entertain the hope of children one day. It would be good to give Harry a son - several sons, perhaps. That inspired other, deeply pleasurable thoughts. She smiled ruefully. For the next few days they would have to camp in the open again which meant that they would no longer have the privacy they had enjoyed before. For that reason alone Cadiz could not come soon enough.

'You look thoughtful,' said Concha.

'I was thinking about England.'

'Ah, yes. It will be interesting to see, no?'

'I believe it will.'

'Do you think it really rains as much as Jack said?'

'I sincerely hope not,' said Elena.

'What about living in a foreign country? Does it not worry you?'

'Not unduly. I suppose it will be strange at first, but in time I imagine that will change.'

'Customs may be very different there.'

'Some of them, no doubt.'

'Well, at least we won't have a problem with the language,' said Concha. 'English is a barbarous tongue but I'm glad now that I learned it.'

'Yes, life would be very difficult else.' Elena paused. 'Do you want to go to England, Concha?'

Her companion regarded her quizzically. 'Why do you ask this?'

'It's the first time I have asked. Up to now I've only made assumptions.'

'I will go where you go, as always.'

'No one could have had a more loyal companion and friend. We have been through a great deal together, you and I, but I will not ask you to live in a strange land if it is contrary to your wishes.'

'Then I will tell you directly that it is my wish to go there.' Concha glanced in Jack's direction. 'Even if some of the inhabitants are a bit odd.'

Elena grinned and lowered her voice. 'That is not so much concerned with Englishness as with being a male.'

Concha gave a snort of laughter. 'Asi? Well, you may be right. I'll be able to judge much better when we get there.'

For all her light-hearted words to Concha, male behaviour was very much on Elena's mind. After that last discussion about Badajoz and the revelations concerning Radcliffe, the matter had not been mentioned again. To all outward appearance, Harry was quite himself. He was courteous and considerate, but she sensed the underlying tension in him. Moreover, although he discussed neutral subjects readily enough, he never touched on the personal. Elena didn't make any attempt to do so either, guessing he still had much to come to terms with. That would only be achieved in his own time. All the same, it saddened her to be shut out of his confidence.

As the sun returned and dried the road they made good progress. The following afternoon Jack bagged a hare. Later, when they made camp, Concha went foraging for herbs. Those went into the pot as well, along with onions and potatoes from their supplies, and that night they dined off delicious hot stew.

'You cook well, lass,' said Jack appreciatively. 'I say that for you.'

Concha's lips twitched. 'Praise indeed.'

'Aye, well, credit where credit's due.'

'I'll try not to let it go my head.'

'I'm sure it won't. I never met anyone less conceited.'

To Elena's surprise, Concha's cheeks turned an attractive shade of pink and, for the first time since the start of the journey, she made no reply. Elena looked at Harry and intercepted a quiet smile.

'Where did you learn to cook, lass?' Jack continued.

'From my mother mostly,' Concha replied.

'She must have been good, then.'

'She was skilled at making nourishing meals out