time I didn’t care. But, as it turned out, I never suffered any serious injury. It was as though I bore a charmed life.’
‘I’m glad of it.’
Again the tone was sincere. Moreover, he was not critical of her actions and nor was he judgemental. After the opprobrium she had suffered of late it was a pleasant and unexpected change. But then he was unexpected in so many ways. It occurred to her to wonder then what might have happened if she had met such a man when she was younger, before the war had changed her life for ever. For a brief instant she had a glimpse of something that was beyond all former dreams of romance. It was followed by a sensation of sadness and loss. Her throat tightened. Such happiness as that was afforded to few, and it certainly didn’t include her.
They stopped at midday to rest their mounts and then, having eaten and taken a short siesta, resumed their journey. It was late afternoon when they heard other horses approaching, a large group riding fast. Elena’s stomach lurched and she darted a look at Concha. The other woman’s face revealed the same misgivings. Jack Hawkes looked at his master.
‘Should we pull off t’road and let ‘em pass, my lord?’
‘Yes, and let’s hope that passing is their intention.’
Jack glanced at the women. ‘Do you think it might be …’
‘I don’t know but I expect we’re about to find out.’
They had no sooner reined aside than the oncoming group swept around the bend. Harry counted a dozen riders; depressing odds if they were local brigands. His jaw tightened. The leading horsemen saw them and he heard a shout. There could be no doubt now that they were the target. The thunder of hooves came closer. His hand moved towards the Baker rifle in the saddle boot, then paused. Had he and Jack been alone he wouldn’t have hesitated, but the women’s presence made him reluctant to draw fire.
‘What do you want to do, my lord?’
‘Nothing, yet,’ he replied.
Before they could say more, the oncoming riders were upon them. In moments the little group was surrounded and a dozen pistols trained in their direction. Judging from their stony expressions, the bearers would very much have liked to use the weapons and clearly wouldn’t hesitate if given the order. Then, through the swirling dust, Harry recognised the man who led them. Don Manuel reined in a few yards away.
‘Did you really think to get away with this, my lord?’ He glowered at Elena. ‘Or you either?’
Elena’s stomach wallowed. This was rapidly assuming the proportions of a nightmare. She had miscalculated badly to assume that her uncle would wash his hands of her, and now innocent people were caught up in her botched plan. She directed an agonised glance at Harry but he failed to see it: his attention was focused squarely on her uncle.
‘I can explain, señor.’
Don Manuel regarded him with cold contempt. ‘I’m not interested in your explanation. I welcomed you in good faith and gave you all possible assistance. In return you have betrayed my hospitality in the basest way possible, and you have brought dishonour to my house.’
‘I understand why you might think so, but the situation is not what it seems.’
‘The situation is perfectly clear, my lord. I can only lament that a man of your rank and birth should have stooped to such subterfuge.’
Harry held on to his temper. ‘There was no subterfuge here.’
‘Do not compound your crime with falsehood.’
‘I resent both those suggestions, señor.’
‘You resent? It is I who am the injured party here and you who have violated my trust.’
Unable to remain silent any longer, Elena interjected. ‘No. He was not to blame.’
Don Manuel glared at her. ‘Lies won’t save him. He will learn what it means to besmirch the noble name of Urbieta.’
‘What do you mean to do?’
‘He and his treacherous henchman will hang from yonder tree. When it is done you will be delivered directly to the convent and your name will never be mentioned in my house again.’ Don Manuel turned to his servants. ‘Bind these men.’
She stared at him in appalled disbelief. However, it became horribly clear that her uncle meant every word. Under his flinty gaze, four of his men dismounted and advanced on Harry and Jack. Despite strong resistance, they were dragged from their horses and manhandled across the intervening space to be brought before their judge. Sick with dread now Elena flung herself off her own mount and ran to stand with them.
‘They are innocent. They had no knowledge of my intended escape. I used their departure to cover my own. It was only later when they were embarked upon their journey that Concha and I came up with them.’
The maid nodded. ‘It is true, señor.’
Don Manual directed a quelling glance her way. ‘Silence, wench! You are as complicit as the rest and you will be punished accordingly. Were you a man I’d have you hanged. As it is you may count yourself fortunate to be let off with a flogging.’
Concha paled but she did not lower her gaze.
‘She was obeying my orders,’ said Elena. ‘No blame attaches to her either. If your anger must fall on someone, let it fall on me. Lord Henry did not wish to take us along with him but he would not abandon us either. He had no choice but to do what he did.’
‘He should have brought you back at once.’
‘I did not wish to return and he would not force me to do so.’
‘I can well imagine he would not. No doubt he had other plans for a slut such as you.’
A muscle jumped in Harry’s jaw. ‘You are insulting, señor. I will not permit such imputations to be made.’
‘Can you deny that it was part of your scheme?’
‘I certainly do deny it. My intention was to escort the lady to England in accordance with her wishes, and that is all.’
Elena glanced at Harry and then met her uncle’s gaze. ‘He’s telling the truth.’
‘He is, señor,’ said Concha, ‘though you flog me for saying so.’
Don Manuel scowled at them but made no immediate reply. Elena’s heart pounded in her breast.
‘The fault is mine, Uncle. I swear this on my parents’ graves.’
‘Even if Lord Henry was not the instigator of the plan,’ said Don Manuel, ‘he has been instrumental in bringing dishonour to the family name.’
Harry’s eyes glinted. ‘If you seek satisfaction, señor, you may have it.’
‘No,’ said Elena. ‘I would not have any bloodshed on my account.’
‘Have no fear. I would not sully my blade in so sordid a
