Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,84

you after that?'

The grey eyes gleamed. 'Do you really think you will not?'

'Kiss me if you can, my lord.'

He reached for her waist but Elena dodged out of the way, laughing. Harry lifted an eyebrow.

'Come here, Elena.'

'No.'

'No?'

His expression was suggestive of polite interest. Then he lunged towards her. She dodged again, feinting and weaving to elude him. Undaunted he pursued her, coming dangerously close to success several times. Realising her peril, Elena turned and fled. He caught her in half a dozen strides. An arm of steel slid around her waist and drew her round to face him, both of them breathless and laughing. For several heartbeats they remained thus before laughter faded and became something altogether more intense. She swayed towards him, surrendering to his kiss. His hold tightened, crushing her against him, and the kiss became passionate. She returned it hungrily, wishing only that it had been motivated by love.

Chapter Twenty

Harry did not expect to hear from Senor Sanchez for several days at the earliest, so he was pleasantly surprised when, after only two, he received a note requesting him to return to the house. He tried not to let excitement run away with him, but it was difficult. Elena saw the strain in him and understood it.

'I do hope this meeting will bring all you wish for, Harry.'

He raised her hand to his lips. 'Thank you. I hope so too.'

'You cannot have come so far for nothing.'

'Let us trust that the Almighty hasn't so cruel a sense of humour.'

It had been a long time since she had trusted the Almighty over anything, but she didn't mention it. Harry needed support now, not cynicism. She smiled.

'Let us trust to a favourable outcome.'

'I'm sorry to leave you again, but it won't be for very long.'

'You need have no anxiety over that. I shall occupy myself until you return.'

'Truly you are a gem among women.'

She conquered hurt. A gem was all very well, but it was not the same as being the love of his life. 'As long as you know that.'

Harry's gaze gleamed. 'I have known it for some time, my sweet.' Reluctantly he released his hold on her hand. 'I'll be back soon.'

'Buena suerte.'

'Thank you. I need all the luck I can get.'

After he had gone, Elena paced the floor awhile in pensive silence. Then, needing some fresh air, she betook herself to the garden once more. It was pleasant to sit in the sunshine and feel the warm breeze life her hair off the back of her neck. Soon she would have to accustom herself to a new country and a new climate, but the thought didn't dismay her. As long as she was with Harry it didn't matter. She had never imagined that she could feel so much for one man, but he had become indispensable to the point where it was impossible to visualise life without him. When they were together he had her full attention; when they were apart she thought about him all the time. He had but to enter a room for her heart to leap. His slightest look or touch was sufficient to set every nerve tingling. She wished it could be the same for him, but his heart was spoken for and her rival was unassailable. One could not compete with the dead.

* * *

Just then, the subject of her thoughts was engrossed in rather different ones of his own. For all that he tried to control it he couldn't quite suppress the feeling of anticipation building in his breast. Sanchez wouldn't have sent for him unless he had something significant to relate, and that meant he had been in contact with his nephew. Harry could only hope that Jamie's erstwhile companion did indeed have a sense of honour. He could not imagine his late brother remaining long in company with a man who had not. The memory of Jamie was poignant and no doubt always would be, but, God willing, his family would eventually know the truth.

Being certain of the way now, he and Jack made good progress and arrived at the Sanchez house within half an hour of leaving the inn. They were admitted and shown into the same room as before. They had not long to wait before their host appeared and with him another, younger man, whom Harry put in his early thirties. He was slightly taller than the uncle but, like him, of a stocky build. A distinct facial resemblance was there too, especially