Redemption of a Fallen Woman(26)

‘I’ve not heard one complaint so far,’ he went on, ‘which same does surprise me, being as how they’re women an’ all.’

‘Men do their share of complaining,’ replied Harry. ‘Remember Private Digby?’

‘Couldn’t ever forget t’cove, my lord. Blighter could’ve moaned for England.’

‘Actually I think he did.’

Jack nodded. ‘It were a relief to all concerned when he finally stopped a bullet at Talavera. I expect he’s still complaining to t’devil about it now.’

‘Very likely.’

‘T’ladies could teach him a thing or two about fortitude, eh, my lord?’

‘Yes, they certainly...’ Harry broke off as a flash of light caught his eye on the hillside ahead. ‘Did you see that?’

‘Aye, my lord. Sunlight on metal. Musket barrel?’

Harry reined in. ‘My thought exactly.’

It seemed they weren’t alone in noticing the phenomenon. Elena pulled up beside Harry. ‘Bandits do you think?’

‘Quite possibly.’

‘What do you want to do?’

Before he had time to answer a shot whined past his ear. Harry swore under his breath.

‘Take cover among those rocks.’

They needed no urging, nor did they show any signs of panic, reacting much as trained soldiers would have done. In less than half a minute they had reached shelter, dismounted and armed themselves. They were only just in time as more lead shot whined past and ricocheted off stone. It was followed by shouts and a thunder of hooves.

‘Here they come,’ muttered Concha.

Elena checked the priming of her pistol. ‘We’ll give a good account of ourselves anyway.’

Squinting round the edge of the sheltering rock she saw ten horsemen hurtle down the slope and thence along the dirt road towards them. Even from a distance there was no mistaking who the riders were.

‘Bandits, definitely,’ said Jack.

Concha nodded. ‘Idiots too, if they think to cross such a large area of open ground unscathed.’

‘Quite right,’ said Harry. ‘Let’s take advantage of their stupidity, shall we?’

He lined up his rifle and squeezed off a shot. Almost simultaneously Jack’s gun spoke. Two of the oncoming riders fell.

‘Not bad,’ said Concha.

While the others reloaded Elena took aim. A man cried out, swaying in the saddle and clutching his shoulder. Harry glanced her way and smiled.

‘Well done.’

‘You also,’ she replied.

Concha levelled her pistol and fired, bringing down the leading horse. It fell like a stone, catapulting its rider over its head and causing others to swerve around it. Hurriedly she reloaded while Harry and Jack opened fire. Elena heard cries of pain. She ignored it, knowing that sentiment had no place here. If they were captured the best they could expect was to be robbed of everything. In the worst-case scenario... Cold-eyed, she fired and reloaded, her hands moving automatically and with practiced ease. Then she took a deep breath, took aim again. The riders were closer now and thus easier targets. Concha was right, she thought. They were not competent strategists. Montera certainly wouldn’t have let himself get caught in the open like that. She smiled grimly, picked her target and fired. A man clutched his chest and toppled sideways, dead before he hit the ground.

And then, without warning, the remaining riders veered away. For a second or two the significance escaped her. Then she heard Concha’s voice.

‘They’re running! The cowards are running!’

Jack grinned. ‘They got more than they bargained for, I’ll warrant.’

Elena leaned back against the rock and let out the breath she had unconsciously been holding.

‘Are you all right?’

She opened her eyes to see Harry. ‘Yes, quite all right, I thank you.’

‘That was good shooting. Well done.’

The words cheered her immeasurably, like the hand squeezing her arm. She smiled wryly. ‘You weren’t so bad yourself from what I could see.’

He returned the smile. ‘High praise.’

‘No, just the truth.’

Before he could say more, Jack intervened. ‘The question is whether they’ve gone for good or just to fetch reinforcements.’

Harry nodded. ‘I think we should leave while we can.’

No one needed telling twice. They remounted and rode fast. Elena urged her horse to a gallop, leaning low over its neck, glancing back from time to time, half expecting to see a larger group of riders behind. The road was empty. Even after several miles there was still no sign of pursuit.

‘Maybe just a small group of opportunists, after all, my lord,’ said Jack when at length they pulled up to rest their blowing horses.