Redemption of a Fallen Woman(7)

‘Well done. What would I do without you, Concha?’

The maid regarded her steadily. ‘I think the boot is on the other foot. But for your honoured father my mother would have hanged and I would have perished. His compassion saved us both and gave us the chance of a future.’

‘Some future,’ said Elena. ‘Look where your loyalty has brought you. Your mother is dead and you...’

‘We have been through many trials together, you and I, and we will come through this. After all, we have escaped captivity before, and we have been threatened by experts, no?’

‘True.’

‘Remember El Lobo and his bandit thugs, to say nothing of the French?’

‘How could I forget?’

‘Well, then, how should your relatives intimidate you now?’

Elena grinned. ‘You’re right, of course. I...’

She broke off as her companion gave her arm a warning squeeze. Darting a glance along the path, she fully expected to see one of her aunts approaching. Instead it was a very different figure that hove into sight, a lean and virile figure whose presence caused her pulse to quicken. She drew a deep breath, collecting herself. Then she rose to greet him.

‘Lord Henry. What a pleasant surprise.’

Surveying her now Harry thought he could say the same. The blue morning gown became her well, emphasising the curves of her figure and enhancing her warm colouring and the lustrous coils of dark hair. This close proximity did nothing to abate the admiration he had felt at their first meeting, on the contrary. London had its share of beauties, but none who held his attention and certainly none who had such a very kissable mouth. She aroused sensations he’d imagined long dead. He caught himself there. This woman had no interest in him and anyway she was destined for a convent. All thoughts about her physical charms were completely inappropriate. Feeling distinctly guilty now, he adopted an expression of polite attention.

‘It seemed too fine a day to remain indoors. I hope I’m not disturbing you.’

‘Oh, no, not at all.’

‘This is a pleasant garden,’ he went on. ‘I don’t wonder that you should choose to sit out here.’

‘I prefer to be out of doors as a rule.’

‘So do I.’ He paused, unwilling to lose her company but not wishing to overstep the bounds of propriety either. He was well aware that the place was visible from the house and that if he invited Elena to sit with him it might well be misconstrued. Something more subtle was required. ‘I wonder if you would care to walk a little way.’

Elena hesitated but then inclined her head in acquiescence. ‘As you wish. Concha, you will accompany us.’

Harry hid a grimace. The maid was entirely de trop but, under the circumstances, an inescapable encumbrance.

As they set off Elena was careful to keep a foot of clear space between them. Concha fell in behind at a discreet distance. If anyone were to observe them from the house it was all above reproach. They strolled a little way in silence, though from time to time Elena shot a sideways glance at her companion. His proximity made her feel self-conscious—aware of his closeness to her fingertips, a feeling so unaccustomed that she felt unwontedly awkward.

‘I regret the need for a chaperone,’ she said then. ‘It isn’t because I don’t trust you.’

He smiled. ‘I’m glad to hear it.’

‘It’s just that I must be seen to observe the required forms of behaviour. My aunts...’

‘You don’t have to explain. I understand perfectly.’

She gave him another sideways look. ‘Do you?’

Unwilling to reveal his knowledge about her past, he slid over it. ‘Your admission to the convent is to take place very soon, I collect.’

She nodded. ‘My uncle has arranged it.’

The words jarred and aroused a sense of impotent anger. Suddenly he wanted to find out more, to hear Elena’s side of the matter.

‘And how do you feel about the new life you are about to enter?’

‘As a man might feel on learning that he is to be imprisoned for the rest of his life.’

The words confirmed what he had suspected from the conversation at table the previous evening. It made the implications all the more unpalatable.

‘Then you have no vocation?’

‘No vocation, or even a belief in God any more. However, that makes no difference to my family.’

He heard the suppressed anger in her tone, saw it in her eyes. He could well understand it too. More than ever the whole business seemed criminal.

‘I’m truly sorry. Is there nothing that can be done to change their minds?’

‘They are quite resolved and will not bend.’