Redemption of a Fallen Woman. Joanna Fulford

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СКАЧАТЬ down the urge to refuse point blank and consign both the holy sisters and her aunt to perdition. However, to do so would be a serious mistake. She must continue to play along for now.

      ‘Very well,’ she replied. ‘I will come.’ Turning to her companion she added, ‘I hope you will excuse me, Lord Henry.’

      ‘Of course.’ He bowed politely, then watched the two women walk away. More than ever he felt sorry for Elena’s predicament, but unfortunately there was nothing he could do about it.

      Elena maintained her impassive expression for the next hour as the two elderly nuns schooled her in preparation for entry into the convent. She kept her gaze lowered lest they should read the anger in her eyes. This wasn’t going to happen. Concha was right. Somehow they would find a way out.

      Meanwhile, the nuns would almost certainly report back to her aunt so a meek and quiet demeanour seemed the best policy for now. If everyone thought she was becoming resigned to her fate, so much the better. Thus she sat without comment through a homily about the sins of pride and disobedience and the need for repentance and reparation through a life of abstinence and prayer. When at length it ended there was a detailed explanation of what would be required on admission to the holy order. That was followed by a period of compulsory prayer in which the nuns expressed the hope that she might be guided back to the path of righteousness for the salvation of her immortal soul. Elena bit her tongue. They knew, because her aunt had evidently told them, that her niece had no vocation for the religious life, but it seemed not to trouble them a whit. So far as they were concerned Elena was a fallen woman. All that mattered now was that she should comply with the wishes of her family and quietly disappear from public view. If they ever got her within the convent gates that would most assuredly happen. She gritted her teeth. Over her dead body …

      When eventually it ended and she returned to her room she sent for Concha. The maid eyed her sympathetically.

      ‘I thought they’d never let you go. What could the old crones find to say that took so long?’

      ‘Don’t ask. I don’t want to insult your intelligence by repeating it.’

      ‘What now, Doña Elena?’

      ‘Can you get out of the house on some pretext or other?’

      ‘Of course.’

      ‘We need to purchase horses and have them in readiness somewhere close at hand. When we make our escape it will have to be fast and we daren’t risk taking the animals from my uncle’s stable.’

      Concha grinned. ‘Leave it to me.’

      ‘All that remains, then, is to choose the hour. By the time these pious hypocrites realise what has happened we will be long gone.’

      When Don Manuel returned home later that afternoon he sought Harry at once and found him ensconced in the library. On seeing his host enter, Harry laid aside the book he had been reading and got to his feet. Don Manuel smiled.

      ‘I have news which I hope will help you, Lord Henry.’

      ‘You have word of my brother?’

      ‘His name was indeed known to the Intelligence Service here. It seems that he was highly regarded by those with whom he had contact.’

      Harry was quite able to believe it. Whatever Jamie had done, he had done well. ‘Did your contact know anything about my brother’s mission?’

      ‘Only that it was highly sensitive. However, I did discover that the Spanish cell at that time was run by a man called Pablo Garrido. Among those who worked for him was Xavier Sanchez.’

      ‘The person who was with my brother when the accident occurred. He must know exactly what happened. I should like above all things to speak with him and Garrido.’

      ‘The whereabouts of Sanchez are not known,’ replied Don Manuel. ‘As for Garrido, he retired from the service after the war and returned to his home in Seville. If you seek him you will have a long and dangerous journey.’

      ‘No matter. It’s a chance and I must follow it.’

      ‘Then I think you will wish to depart quite soon.’

      ‘Tomorrow,’ said Harry. ‘The sooner I set off, the sooner I may learn what happened to my brother and obtain the proof I need.’

      ‘I anticipated as much. For that reason I have prepared this.’ His host took a small packet of documents from his coat pocket. ‘It contains a map which I think you will find useful, and a list of the most reputable inns in the larger towns along your route.’ He gave a deprecating smile. ‘I fear I cannot vouch for any of the other establishments you may find.’

      Harry accepted the packet gratefully. ‘I can’t thank you enough for your help in this matter.’

      ‘It is my pleasure,’ replied Don Manuel.

      ‘I shall travel faster if I ride. My manservant will accompany me and we’ll take only the essentials with us. As for the rest …’

      ‘I shall arrange for your carriage and the rest of your luggage to be returned to Santander. From there it will be a simple matter to arrange the necessary transportation to England.’

      ‘That would be most kind. My driver and footman are reliable fellows but they don’t speak Spanish.’

      ‘I will provide all assistance to expedite the matter,’ said Don Manuel.

      ‘One day I hope to be able to return the favour.’

      His host smiled. ‘If ever I need a favour I will know where to come.’

      After his companion had left him, Harry paced the library floor and tried to order his thoughts. The evidence he needed was out there somewhere. Garrido would be able to shed light on Jamie’s mission and might even know where Sanchez could be found. That alone would make the journey worthwhile. Before he left he must write a letter to Giles and apprise him of developments. He resisted the urge to write to their father; it would be wrong to raise hopes in that quarter until he knew more. Given their parent’s fragile mental state it would be downright cruel. It might unbalance him even further, something Harry didn’t want to be responsible for. He knew he could trust to Giles’s discretion. He too might judge it better to keep quiet until Harry had spoken to Garrido. In spite of the obstacles still in his path, Harry experienced a sense of optimism. As Don Manuel had said, the journey to Seville would be long and arduous, but now that there was even a particle of hope, it must be undertaken.

      Glancing around his attention fixed on a large desk across the room. He could already see ink and blotter so the chances were good that there would also be notepaper. A swift search revealed it to be the case. Accordingly he sat down and began to write his letter.

      He was so preoccupied with his task that he failed to hear the door open. It was only when he heard a familiar voice that he realised he wasn’t alone.

      ‘I hope I’m not disturbing you, my lord. I just wanted to return this book but I can come back later if …’

      He turned quickly to see Elena standing on the threshold. Her presence was so completely unexpected that it took him aback. Moreover, she had changed her gown for an elegant sprigged muslin creation which looked particularly fetching. Privately СКАЧАТЬ