Redemption of a Fallen Woman(43)

Elena’s heartbeat quickened but she remained silent, waiting.

‘Her father was a doctor, a gentleman for whom I had the highest respect. One day one of my comrades was injured and it was too far to get him back to camp for the surgeon so we sought a doctor in the nearest town. That’s when I met Belén.’ He smiled faintly. ‘She was acting as an assistant to her father. I’d never seen anyone quite like her.’

‘She must have been very beautiful.’

‘In truth she was, and yet, oddly, it was her hands I noticed first. They were unmistakably those of a lady yet they were so deft and gentle in tending my friend’s wound. It was after they’d patched him up that I began to look at the woman. Does that sound ludicrous?’

‘No. Under the circumstances it makes perfect sense.’

‘My friend had lost a lot of blood so they put him in their spare room until he was well enough to travel. I went to the house every day. The more I saw of Belén the more strongly I was attracted to her. She was not only pretty but also well-educated. We talked about all manner of things. She had a keen sense of humour too, and a strong spirit. It didn’t take me long to fall completely under her spell and to know that I wanted her to be my wife.’

Elena’s stomach knotted. ‘And so you spoke to her father.’

‘Yes. He could tell which way the wind was blowing and he had no objection to make. I wanted us to marry at once, but Belén particularly wished us to wait a little to allow certain members of her family to attend the wedding. It was only a matter of a fortnight and so I agreed.’ He took a deep breath. ‘In the interim the town came under attack, people were killed, businesses looted and many properties set alight, including the house where Belén and her father were living.’

Elena paled. ‘And they didn’t get out.’

‘The building burned like a torch and they were trapped on an upper floor.’

‘Madre de Dios.’

‘By the time I got there the place was an inferno. I tried to get in but the heat was too great. Minutes later the whole interior collapsed.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

‘I should have taken her away while I had the chance.’

‘It’s easy to be wise after the event.’

‘She trusted me and yet, when she needed me most, I failed her.’

‘You must not think like that. You were not to blame for what happened.’

‘And yet I cannot rid myself of guilt. When I think of the terror she must have felt before she died...’ He made a vague gesture with his hand. ‘The crowning irony was that I survived the war. For a long time I wished that I had not.’

‘Your death would not have changed anything, Harry.’

‘I know it, but I’d cheerfully have settled for oblivion.’ His gaze met and held hers. ‘You are not the only one who has stayed out of churches, my sweet.’

The implications resonated deeply and she had no difficulty in empathising with him. What kind of God permitted such things to happen? Not one with whom she had any affinity. Nor it seemed did the man beside her. Their conversation raised other questions too, that required an answer. Yet for the first time she feared to ask.

‘It is not easy to come to terms with the loss of those we love.’

‘No, it isn’t, but there is no use in clinging to the past. Eventually one has to let go and start to look ahead instead.’

‘Yet the scars remain, do they not?’

‘Yes, they remain with us, but they also fade with time.’ He paused. ‘After what happened I never expected to share my life with another human being, but fate took a hand in that. I’m glad it did.’

Her heart missed a beat. ‘Are you?’

‘I am daily more reconciled to my fate.’ He watched her closely. ‘Are you?’

‘I would like us to have a future, Harry.’

‘There is no reason why we should not.’

‘Except that I am no true wife to you. I’m sorry...’ She broke off awkwardly.

He took her gently by the shoulders. ‘I told you once that there was no hurry. That has not changed. When the time is right it will happen.’

‘Does the thought of me not disgust you?’

‘No, why on earth should it?’

Before she could reply they heard the sound of voices from below announcing the arrival of more visitors. Harry sighed. He would very much have liked to continue the conversation but clearly that wasn’t going to be possible for a while.

‘Have you seen enough?’ When she nodded he went on, ‘Let us go down, then.’

The descent was much easier and fifteen minutes later they were out in the open air again. By tacit consent they walked slowly towards the Alcázar, stopping briefly to let a carriage pass. It was a handsome equipage drawn by a pair of beautiful chestnut horses. As it passed, Elena glimpsed a crest on the door, although she did not recognise it, or the livery of the footman who rode on the step behind.