Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,83

mind too, but it would have been most unwise to try.'

'Aye, true enough.' Jack sighed. 'What now, my lord?'

'We wait. There's nothing else we can do.'

'If Xavier Sanchez has any sense of honour he'll meet you.'

'So I hope,' replied Harry.

On their return to the inn, he went in search of Elena and found her with Concha in the garden at the rear of the premises. Seeing him approach the maid rose and left them. Harry took the seat she had vacated. Elena regarded him with mingled anxiety and embarrassment. However, he seemed unaware of it. It was as though that earlier scene had never happened. Forcing hurt aside she decided to take her cue from him.

'Was your visit successful?'

'Yes and no.'

She listened with quiet attention while he explained what had happened.

'It sounds as if the uncle was exercising caution,' she said.

'My thought exactly.'

'It's understandable, in the circumstances.'

He smiled ruefully. 'Frustrating too, but there's not much to be done about that. While we wait, perhaps you'd care to explore the town.'

'I'd like that.'

'Well, then, I'm entirely at your disposal.'

The bustling harbour with its forest of ship masts was an enthralling sight, like the mysterious sacks and bales and barrels on the quayside. The smell of fish and spice mingled with rope and tar and seaweed, and the sunlit air resounded with male voices speaking in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and Arabic. It suggested a world apart from the one Elena had previously inhabited, a world that was strange and exotic and exciting. She was entranced.

Curious and admiring glances came her way but, being rapt in the wonder of it all, she failed to notice. Harry, on the other hand, did. It came as no surprise that other men should want to look at his wife and he was happy to let them look. He'd have been less than human if he hadn't enjoyed their envy. In contrast, Elena seemed quite oblivious to the attention and wanted to know about the ships and their cargoes instead. Harry, privately amused, did his best to answer.

Later they left the harbour and strolled thence to the Barrio de la Vina, an area of the old town with close proximity to the shoreline and the Playa de la Caleta, an impressive expanse of sand stretching between the fortresses of San Sebastian and Santa Catalina. Elena surveyed the view with shining eyes.

'Homer's wine-dark sea,' she murmured. 'It's more beautiful than I'd ever imagined.'

Her unfeigned enthusiasm recalled the first time he had ever set eyes on the sea. 'It's quite something, isn't it?'

'I can easily understand why men are drawn to explore it.'

'It has a siren voice but it is not without its perils.'

'So I have heard.'

'In England there is a growing fashion for sea bathing,' he said.

'Men are so fortunate.'

'Women enjoy it too, I believe.'

Her eyes widened. 'Women? Really?'

Harry grinned. 'Yes, really.'

'I should like to try that.'

'If you wish I will take you to Brighton and you can essay the waters there.'

'You wouldn't mind?'

'No, why should I?'

There were several things that she might have said in reply. Instead she tried to imagine what her former betrothed would have said if she had ever suggested such a thing. Visualising his probable expression, she could only smile to herself. Jose and Harry were as different as paste from diamond.

'Be warned though,' he continued. 'The water is likely to be much colder than here.'

'I'll brave it just for the experience.'

'Would you like to try now?' Without warning he swept her up and strode towards the water's edge.

Elena shrieked, protesting vigorously. 'Harry, no! Put me down!'

'You said you wanted to swim.'

'Yes, but not now!'

'No time like the present.'

'You wouldn't.'

'Wouldn't I?'

As the next wave rolled in and he made to throw her into the water, she uttered a despairing wail, clinging to him for dear life. The wave broke sending lacy foam racing up the strand. Instead of dropping her, Harry retained his hold and, at the last moment, turned and fled from the advancing water, eventually setting her down safely above the waterline. Heart pounding she glared at him in disbelief.

'Bruto! I really thought you were going to throw me in.'

Far from expressing contrition the reply was a guffaw of laughter. It was infectious and she caught it.

'You're a wicked man, Harry Montague. You know that?'

'No, my sweet, a wicked man would have thrown you in. As it is, I'll settle for a lesser penalty.'

She eyed him with mock hauteur. 'And what is that?'

'A kiss.'

'Do you think I'm going to kiss