Redemption of a Fallen Woman(34)

‘True enough. Sport tends to dissolve class barriers—for a while anyway. The finest batsman I ever saw was a village blacksmith.’

‘Such a blurring of social boundaries would not happen here.’

‘I imagine not.’

What Elena might have said next was unknown because Jack and Concha returned just then, both in apparently good humour.

‘The dancing is about to start,’ said Concha.

Elena smiled wryly. ‘Will they let us join in, do you think?’

‘I wasn’t going to ask for permission.’

Jack grinned. ‘Aye, well, saves ’em t’embarrassment of a refusal, eh?’

‘From that I infer you use the same stratagem.’ Concha paused, her expression speculative. ‘Do Englishmen know how to dance?’

‘Some do, I reckon, but I regret to say that in my case it were never a strong suit.’

‘Then it’s time that you learned.’

‘I were thinking more of watching from here like.’

‘You learn best by doing, not watching. Come.’ Concha extended her hand imperiously.

He threw a look of mute appeal towards his master. Harry shook his head.

‘When a lady has made up her mind argument is fruitless.’

‘I swear life were never this hard in t’army.’ As he caught sight of Concha’s expression Jack threw up his hands in a gesture of surrender. ‘All right. No need for bloodshed. I’ll come quietly.’

As he and Concha went off to join the dancers Harry looked at Elena.

‘Shall we join them?’

She smiled. ‘Why not?’

The music and the wine on their own would have been sufficient to make her smile, but when combined with the presence of a handsome and charismatic partner they took enjoyment to another level. In spite of being a tall man Harry was a graceful dancer. Moreover he seemed familiar with most of the steps. She wondered who had taught him. Belén, perhaps? Determinedly she pushed the thought away, unwilling to spoil the evening with another impertinent question. Instead she gave herself up to the music.

Harry smiled. ‘You know I had a suspicion you’d dance well. I was right.’

‘You don’t do so badly yourself.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I just wish I were more suitably attired for the occasion.’

‘Clothes don’t make the dancer,’ he replied. ‘Besides, most of the women here would be prepared to kill for your figure.’

The warm colour deepened in her cheeks. ‘I’m flattered you should think so.’

‘It wasn’t flattery.’

The expression in the grey eyes set her heart to beating a little faster. Did he find her attractive, then? He’d shown little sign of it and she could hardly ask. Yet the thought that he might was pleasing rather than not, like the touch of his hand when the dance brought them together. It filled her with sensations she had not experienced for years and had not thought to have again.

Eventually they retired to rest awhile and presently were joined by Jack and Concha. Then they talked and drank more wine. Conversation flowed just as smoothly amid joking and laughter. It seemed to Elena that this was what Harry had meant when he spoke about the dissolution of class barriers. Her uncle would never have countenanced this for a moment. Yet it seemed right and natural somehow. On the surface of it they were an ill-assorted group whom circumstances had thrown together, yet it worked. When she spoke to Harry of respect she had meant it. She was also fast coming to like Jack Hawkes too. When things got tough he too could be relied upon to do his part.

A series of explosions drew her out of thought and she looked round quickly. A spray of coloured stars filled the sky. The fireworks had started. Realising that there wasn’t the least danger, she settled back again to watch.

Her reaction had not gone unobserved and Harry smiled. This evening she had been more relaxed than he had ever seen her, more animated too, in conversation and in laughter. He had always thought her a beautiful girl but tonight it was as though some invisible restraint had been cast off. The atmosphere had touched a chord in her and, aided by the wine perhaps, had brought out the natural exuberance and sense of fun that she usually kept hidden. It was damnably alluring. She was damnably alluring, even dressed in men’s clothing. Much as he’d tried to ignore the thought it refused to be banished. Just then he would have given a great deal to see her in the red gown she had worn on the evening when first they had met. For a moment he indulged the fantasy, and then mentally removed the gown altogether. The result was a coil of tension in the region of his groin. He suppressed it ruthlessly. By rights he ought not to be thinking in those terms. However, he was forced to acknowledge now that he did want it to happen. Just when that change had occurred he was unable to say; he only knew it had.