‘You’re a dark horse, Harry, and no mistake.’
‘You’re a fine one to talk.’
‘I suppose I asked for that.’ Jamie grinned. ‘All the same I’m sincerely pleased for you. She sounds like a marvellous girl.’
‘She is, in every way.’
‘The uncle is a double-dyed villain though. I’d like to run him through.’
‘I’m before you there,’ said Harry. ‘Or I would be if it were acceptable to slay one’s relations.’
‘He ought to be the exception that proves the rule.’
‘Undoubtedly. As it is, he escapes unscathed. Fortunately we shan’t meet again in all likelihood.’
‘Good riddance.’
‘Enough about him. We have more important things to talk about.’
‘Agreed.’ Jamie paused. ‘I can’t tell you how good it is to see you, Harry. I feel better than I have for a long time.’
‘Do your injuries still pain you?’
‘Most of it is superficial. The leg’s a nuisance, but it’ll heal eventually.’
Looking at his brother’s relative pallor, Harry guessed there was a lot more that Jamie wasn’t saying but he didn’t probe. If Jamie wanted him to know he’d tell him. Just then it was enough to know his brother was alive. Now that the first shock was over, it had been replaced by delight and a rising sense of excitement. He tried to imagine the reaction at Castonbury when they heard the news. Their father would be beside himself with joy and the black cloud that had hung over the future would be lifted at last. Of course, there was the matter of fraud to be exposed too, but that would keep for now.
‘I’d like you to meet Elena. May I fetch her?’
‘The sooner the better,’ replied Jamie. ‘I cannot wait to make her acquaintance.’
Harry stepped out into the corridor where he found Jack and Concha, waiting at a discreet distance. They greeted him with wide smiles.
‘Doña Elena has told us the glad news, my lord,’ said Concha. ‘I am truly most happy for you and for your family.’
Jack nodded. ‘Concha speaks for us both, my lord.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Harry. ‘Though I suspect I have the monopoly on that emotion at present.’
‘If this don’t beat all, eh?’
‘Indeed.’ Harry glanced at adjoining door. ‘Is Sanchez still here?’
‘He is that, my lord.’
‘I need to speak to him. In the meantime, Concha, perhaps you’d inform Lady Elena that we shall have a guest to dinner this evening.’
As the two departed, Harry went into the adjoining room where Sanchez waited. For a moment the two men faced each other in silence.
‘Under other circumstances I might be angry with you,’ said Harry. ‘As it is, I find that impossible since my brother has been restored to me safe and well.’
‘I regret that the deception was necessary, my lord.’
‘I think my brother could scarcely have chosen a more worthy colleague.’
‘You are gracious.’
‘Not in the least. You have played your part to perfection.’ Harry paused. ‘There’s just one thing more I’d like to know. How came you and he to be in Cádiz together?’
‘It was prearranged.’
‘Am I right in thinking that the two of you have been in contact for some time?’
‘We never lost contact,’ said Sanchez.
Another piece of the puzzle slotted into place in Harry’s mind. ‘You were on the same mission, which is why you disappeared too, after you had reported the accident.’
‘Just so, my lord.’
‘Very neat.’
Sanchez made no reply, merely surveyed him with a level gaze.
‘If I need to speak with you again will I find you the same way?’ asked Harry.
‘Of course.’
‘Then I’ll say farewell for the time being.’
Sanchez inclined his head in acquiescence. Then he headed for the door, pausing briefly on the threshold. ‘Hasta entonces.’ With that he was gone.
Harry was distracted by the sound of a light step and looked up to see Elena. She greeted him with a smile and a warm hug, her excitement barely contained.
‘I’m so pleased for you, Harry. More than I can say.’
He lifted her off the ground and swung her round before bestowing on her a resounding kiss. ‘It’s bloody marvellous, isn’t it?’
‘Never in a million years would I have expected this.’
‘None of us did.’ He grinned and possessed himself of her hands. ‘Come, let me introduce you to my brother.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
When the introductions had been performed, Jamie took her hand and raised it to his lips.