They finished their meal and Elena collected the platters and cups and returned them to the tray. Then Jack got his feet.
‘I’ll take first watch tonight, my lord, if you’d like.’
Harry nodded. ‘Concha, you’ll join him. Elena and I will relieve you later.’
She experienced a momentary surprise but said nothing. Doubtless he had his reasons for doubling up on the watch. Jack didn’t argue either.
‘You’re thinking what I’m thinking, then.’
‘I expect so,’ said Harry.
Elena intercepted the glance that passed between the two men. ‘You expect trouble from our hosts?’
‘Let’s just say that it doesn’t pay to get complacent,’ replied Harry.
‘You’re right. It doesn’t.’
‘Regard it as a precaution only. In the meantime, let’s get some rest.’
Elena nodded and went to investigate the hay loft. It was essentially a platform under the rafters and was reached by a ladder. However, though primitive, the place smelled sweet enough and the bed would at least be soft. After all, she had slept in far worse.
Having laid out the bedroll she removed her jacket and used it to improvise a pillow. Then she tugged off her boots and lay down, settling herself comfortably. A few minutes later Harry joined her. In the confined space his presence seemed even more imposing. Covertly she watched as he spread his blanket and then removed his own coat before stretching out beside her. However, he made no move in her direction. There had been no repetition of the brief intimate moment they had shared after the fiesta, and it occurred to her that it might well have been the wine talking that night. Once he was completely sober perhaps he found the thought of her less pleasing. No matter how much time had passed since the events in Badajoz, she was still soiled goods.
She closed her eyes, listening to the rain drumming on the roof, each particle of her being attuned to the man beside her. Her lips still bore the imprint of his kiss, her flesh remembered his touch. In those fleeting moments he had made her feel truly alive. What might he make her feel if she surrendered herself completely? If he took her, if he made her his, might not the evils of the past be expunged? Might she not become a real woman again? It was the first time such a possibility had suggested itself. It was also the first time since Badajoz that a man had made her feel that way. If only she could find that degree of trust within herself...
At some point during these musings she must have dozed off because the next thing she knew was a hand on her shoulder gently rousing her. Rather groggily she propped herself on one elbow and then, in the soft lamplight, met Harry’s gaze.
He smiled faintly. ‘Time to relieve the others.’
‘Already? What o’clock is it?’
‘Just before one.’
‘Right.’
With an effort she shook off weariness and dragged on her boots and coat. Then she followed him down the ladder. It was still raining and thunder rumbled intermittently. The air temperature had fallen too, and she shivered a little, missing her snug bed in the hay.
Thrusting her pistol into her waistband, she took up her position and settled down to wait. The barn was quiet save for the occasional rustling of straw in the horses’ stalls and the rattle of a halter chain. The only illumination was a pool of the soft radiance around the lantern which sat on a barrel top by the far wall. In the relative gloom of her position she could easily discern the dark shape that was Harry but, although he was only feet away, his expression was in shadow. He made no attempt at speech and she did not care to intrude on his private thoughts. All the same he was a solid and reassuring presence.
They had been there about an hour when Elena heard the sound of water splash outside. It was louder than the rain, rather as though someone had inadvertently stepped into a puddle, and followed by a muffled curse. She straightened, listening intently, feeling the hairs stir on the back of her neck. Silently she edged closer to Harry.
‘Did you hear it?’ she murmured.
‘Yes. They’re coming. Rouse...’
Before he had time to say more the barn door scraped softly open. Both of them flattened themselves against the wall, pistols in hand. In the gloom they saw three dark figures creep in. The intruders paused then, evidently listening. Hearing nothing untoward they advanced slowly. They had reached the middle of the barn when Harry stepped out of concealment behind them.
‘Stop where you are unless you plan to die.’
The three turned swiftly. Elena heard a snarled oath, saw Harry dodge something that flew past his shoulder and then caught a soft thud as a knife bit into wood. He levelled his pistol and fired. Someone cried out and fell. Daggers raised, the other two intruders launched themselves at Harry. In one smooth movement Elena raised her pistol and fired. The target stopped in his tracks, arms outflung, and keeled over. Somewhere beyond she glimpsed movement at the rear of the barn. Then Harry and the third assailant went down together, the knife swaying between them.