realised that her question was never intended to be impertinent, only to open a dialogue between them. A necessary dialogue, he now admitted. No relationship could survive if it were based on pretence.
He also knew that, one day, they would have a deeper relationship. She was his wife and nothing would change that. It behoved them to make the best of the situation. After all, many marriages were based on mutual respect. There was no reason why they shouldn’t have a future together, even if it wasn’t the one either of them would have chosen. Eventually they were going to have to talk and he would have to tell her the truth. He had no idea what might happen after that, but more than anything else he dreaded her contempt. After what he’d done, or rather failed to do, how could any woman think him worthy of her affection?
That evening they camped by the side of a small lake. Since water was an important consideration for both horses and humans, Harry had planned his route accordingly, making use of the maps Don Manuel had provided. Small streams or springs served their turn and supplied what was essential, but the thought of being able to bathe for the first time in days was very appealing. It seemed he wasn’t the only one to think so.
‘A swim would be very agreeable,’ said Elena, when the subject was first broached. ‘But if you and Jack wish to go first Concha and I will prepare things here.’
Harry grinned. ‘A generous offer. However, I believe the rule is ladies first.’
‘Very well. We accept.’
He reached into his saddlebag. ‘Here. You might want this.’
‘What is it?’
‘A bar of soap.’ He placed in in her hand, closing her fingers around it. ‘Don’t lose it. It’s the only one I have.’
The effect of that casual touch was disturbing. She summoned a smile. ‘I’ll guard it with my life.’
‘See you do. The penalty for failure is severe.’
Although she caught the gleam in the grey eyes her pulse quickened. She had no idea what he might be capable of—in fun or earnest.
‘I’m not going to ask.’
‘What a pity.’
Elena’s cheeks grew a shade warmer. This gentle teasing was more difficult to deal with and, more disturbingly still, part of her wanted to push this a little further. Not so long ago she would have avoided any kind of flirtatious behaviour with a man; now the temptation was strong. With a sense of shock she realised that fear had been replaced by something very like suppressed excitement. It was definitely time to leave.
‘We won’t take too long.’
‘No hurry. The lake will still be there.’
Leaving the two men to perform the remaining chores, she and Concha took themselves off. They walked a little way from the camp and found a curve in the shoreline which provided a secluded little cove and complete privacy. They lost no time in stripping off and wading in. The water was cold but wonderfully refreshing.
Concha submerged herself completely and came up grinning. ‘ Madre de Dios , this is good. I have dreamed of bathing for days now.’
‘I also. Dust and horse sweat are not ideal perfumes.’
‘Better than the reek of incense though.’
Elena laughed. ‘When you put it like that all objection begins to fade.’
They scrubbed themselves vigorously and took the opportunity to wash their hair as well. Then, at length, they climbed out and sat on a sun-warmed rock to dry off.
Elena smiled to herself, imagining her aunts’ expressions if they could see her now. Their disapproval was an irrelevance, of course. It was as though they belonged to a past life. She could well imagine their reactions on learning of her marriage. From now on she would be persona non grata . Dolores was the only family she had left. That was a reunion to look forward to. In the meantime, there was Harry. Even though they spent so much time together she still knew little about him. Just occasionally there would be a tantalising detail but they were few and far between
He also knew that, one day, they would have a deeper relationship. She was his wife and nothing would change that. It behoved them to make the best of the situation. After all, many marriages were based on mutual respect. There was no reason why they shouldn’t have a future together, even if it wasn’t the one either of them would have chosen. Eventually they were going to have to talk and he would have to tell her the truth. He had no idea what might happen after that, but more than anything else he dreaded her contempt. After what he’d done, or rather failed to do, how could any woman think him worthy of her affection?
That evening they camped by the side of a small lake. Since water was an important consideration for both horses and humans, Harry had planned his route accordingly, making use of the maps Don Manuel had provided. Small streams or springs served their turn and supplied what was essential, but the thought of being able to bathe for the first time in days was very appealing. It seemed he wasn’t the only one to think so.
‘A swim would be very agreeable,’ said Elena, when the subject was first broached. ‘But if you and Jack wish to go first Concha and I will prepare things here.’
Harry grinned. ‘A generous offer. However, I believe the rule is ladies first.’
‘Very well. We accept.’
He reached into his saddlebag. ‘Here. You might want this.’
‘What is it?’
‘A bar of soap.’ He placed in in her hand, closing her fingers around it. ‘Don’t lose it. It’s the only one I have.’
The effect of that casual touch was disturbing. She summoned a smile. ‘I’ll guard it with my life.’
‘See you do. The penalty for failure is severe.’
Although she caught the gleam in the grey eyes her pulse quickened. She had no idea what he might be capable of—in fun or earnest.
‘I’m not going to ask.’
‘What a pity.’
Elena’s cheeks grew a shade warmer. This gentle teasing was more difficult to deal with and, more disturbingly still, part of her wanted to push this a little further. Not so long ago she would have avoided any kind of flirtatious behaviour with a man; now the temptation was strong. With a sense of shock she realised that fear had been replaced by something very like suppressed excitement. It was definitely time to leave.
‘We won’t take too long.’
‘No hurry. The lake will still be there.’
Leaving the two men to perform the remaining chores, she and Concha took themselves off. They walked a little way from the camp and found a curve in the shoreline which provided a secluded little cove and complete privacy. They lost no time in stripping off and wading in. The water was cold but wonderfully refreshing.
Concha submerged herself completely and came up grinning. ‘ Madre de Dios , this is good. I have dreamed of bathing for days now.’
‘I also. Dust and horse sweat are not ideal perfumes.’
‘Better than the reek of incense though.’
Elena laughed. ‘When you put it like that all objection begins to fade.’
They scrubbed themselves vigorously and took the opportunity to wash their hair as well. Then, at length, they climbed out and sat on a sun-warmed rock to dry off.
Elena smiled to herself, imagining her aunts’ expressions if they could see her now. Their disapproval was an irrelevance, of course. It was as though they belonged to a past life. She could well imagine their reactions on learning of her marriage. From now on she would be persona non grata . Dolores was the only family she had left. That was a reunion to look forward to. In the meantime, there was Harry. Even though they spent so much time together she still knew little about him. Just occasionally there would be a tantalising detail but they were few and far between
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