Redemption of a Fallen Woman

by Joanna Fulford

‘I did indeed meet your brother, my lord. A most intelligent man and an excellent operative in every way. His loss was deeply regretted in many quarters.’

  ‘Never more so than by his family.’

  ‘Of course, especially in the light of what you tell me.’

  ‘It is imperative that I establish the truth about my brother’s death. The law in England requires it. To obtain the proof I require I must find Xavier Sanchez.’

  ‘Yes, I can see that. However, I have not set eyes on the man for some time.’

  ‘Do you know where he may be found?’

  ‘No, but I can make enquiries.’

  Harry experienced a surge of excitement but reined it in hard. ‘I’d be most obliged.’

  Garrido nodded. ‘I’ll do what I can. If you will give me your direction I’ll send word when I know more.’

  * * *

  When Harry returned to the inn, he lost no time in seeking out Elena. He found her still in the parlour engaged in reading the newspaper he had left there. She looked up eagerly as he entered, and he saw her smile. It was a warm, unforced expression and it caused his heart to beat a little faster. Telling himself not to refine on it, he closed the door.

  ‘What news?’ she asked.

  As he communicated what he had learned, she listened carefully.

  ‘It sounds hopeful,’ she said when at length he had done.

  ‘Yes, though I’m not counting my chickens.’

  ‘I’m sure all will yet be well.’

  He smiled. ‘In the interim we have time to spare. Would you like to take a look around? I believe Seville has some fine sights.’

  An answering smile lit her face. ‘I should like it very much.’

  ‘The cathedral and the Giralda are very near. Perhaps we should start with those.’

  ‘Oh, yes. Let’s.’

  He offered his arm. ‘Come, then.’

  They strolled along the street in companionable silence. Although Elena looked about with interest, every part of her being was alive to the man beside her. It occurred to her also that this was the first time they had ever done this. Of course, their relationship had lacked any kind of courtship and, hitherto, they had always been in the company of others. This was a pleasurable change.

  Then they turned the corner and for a moment everything was driven from her mind except for the towering edifice in front of them.

  ‘Oh, my.’

  The Gothic cathedral of Santa María de la Sede was breathtaking. Elena stared at it incredulously.

  ‘Oh, Harry, it’s magnificent. I’d always been told that it was, but it’s not the same as seeing for oneself.’

  He smiled. ‘Indeed not.’

  ‘My father told me that it is one of the largest churches ever built.’

  ‘He was quite right.’

  ‘He said it took more than a hundred years to construct, and it has the longest nave in the world.’

  ‘So I believe.’

  She craned her neck, gazing at the intricately carved frontage and soaring tower above, wondering at the skill that wrought it. ‘The ancient builders were certainly masters of their art.’

  ‘Yes, they were.’ He paused. ‘Shall we look inside?’

  For a second she hesitated, then nodded. ‘Why not?’

  If she had thought the outside impressive, the interior with its elegant pillars and vaulted ceiling and glory of stained glass was even more awe-inspiring. And that, she reflected, was the point. This building was not just about architectural splendour; it was about power and control. A control she had so narrowly escaped. Of course it wasn’t possible for a woman to escape some form of control. Society would not countenance such a thing. She glanced at the man beside her. He wore his power lightly but, ultimately, she was still subject to his will. Yet of the two choices she knew whose authority she preferred.

  Sensing her preoccupation Harry regarded her covertly. He thought he could guess at some of her thoughts and wondered if it had been entirely tactful to bring her here.

  ‘Are you all right, Elena?’

  ‘Perfectly.’

  ‘Only you seemed a little uneasy.’

  ‘This is the first time in years that I have voluntarily entered a church,’ she replied. ‘I have not done so since Badajoz.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t think.’

  ‘It’s all right. I’m glad to have the chance to see this. Besides, faith is not a prerequisite for the appreciation of architecture.’

  ‘True.’

  Again she wondered if she had shocked him with such an impious remark. However, she did not see disapproval in his face and nor had he rebuked her. Her former betrothed most certainly would have done. He had observed all the outward forms of Christianity but never translated his faith to the earthly plane. The tolerance she saw in Harry had been entirely lacking in Jose.

  They strolled on, pausing occasionally to admire the marvellously carved tombs and to look into the small side chapels.

  ‘There seem to be lots of these, don’t there?’ said Harry after a while.

  ‘About eighty, according to my father.’

  ‘What!’ The exclamation drew disapproving glances from those nearest. He lowered his voice. ‘How many sins is it possible to commit?’

  ‘It depends whom one asks. My aunts are authorities on the subject of other people’s sins.’

  ‘Your aunts are confounded bores. It grieves me to speak harshly of your relations, but in their case I’m willing to make an exception.’

  Elena grinned. ‘I won’t take offence.’

  ‘Indeed I hope not.’

  ‘I feel sure that your family is not boring.’

  ‘Boredom is not a word I associate with the name of Montague. In fact, there’s rarely a dull moment.’ Harry sighed. ‘I dream of dull moments sometimes.’

  Elena laughed. ‘Be careful what you wish for.’

  ‘Do you fear that the wish may come true, then?’

  ‘I doubt whether I will ever be bored in your company, my lord.’

  ‘I’m flattered—I think.’

  Elena gave him a sidelong glance in which mischief and amusement were mingled in equal measure. It was also unwittingly beguiling and, ordinarily, would have met with a fitting response. As it was, he had to remind himself that they were in a church.

  It was another hour before they stepped out into the sunshine again. The light seemed dazzling after the relative gloom inside the cathedral. Harry paused and turned to Elena.

  ‘Where to now?’ he asked.

  She looked around, taking in the various possibilities. Then she pointed to the Giralda. ‘Up there.’

  A former minaret from the mosque that had once stood on the site of the cathedral, the bell tower took its name from the weathervane on the top.

  ‘I’m game if you are,’ he replied. Then, catching the look in her eye, added ruefully, ‘All right. That was a stupid comment. I should know better by now.’

  Elena grinned and slipped her arm through his. Then they strolled across to the tower. It had no stairs; instead a series of carefully inclined ramps led to the top. At the halfway point they paused for breath.

  ‘Apparently the muezzin used to ride up here,’ she said.

  ‘I don’t blame him when he had to do this five times a day.’

  ‘Well, I suppose the horse was fit anyway.’

  He laughed. ‘Yes, I imagine it was. This tower is higher than the one in Babel.’

  She reached out and took his hand. ‘Come on, not far now.’

  Harry groaned in mock despair but allowed himself to be led nevertheless. Her spontaneous gesture had not gone unnoticed; it was the first time that she had made such an overture towards him and it created a strange sensation in his breast. Moreover, her hand felt right in his, as though it belonged there.

  They climbed on up the final ramps. By the time they reached the viewing gallery at the top they were breathing hard. However, the views repaid the effort and, since they were a
lone, they had leisure to admire them undisturbed. Elena leaned on the edge of the parapet, looking out towards the Alcázar.

  ‘I expected Seville to be fine but it is far better than I expected,’ she said. ‘Does England have sights as fine as this?’

  ‘When we go to London, I’ll take you to see Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral. They’re both impressive in their different ways.’

  ‘I’ll look forward to that.’

  ‘Shall you not be sad to leave Spain?’

  She turned to face him. ‘In some ways, but it is also tied to things I’d like to forget.’

  ‘It was never my intention to return,’ he admitted. ‘Had it not been for Jamie’s demise I might never have done so.’

  ‘You could hardly be blamed for your reluctance when the memories were so painful.’

  ‘Not all of them were painful. I had some good friends and even in the army it was possible to have fun occasionally. And of course there was Belén...’

  Elena’s heartbeat quickened but she remained silent, waiting.

  ‘Her father was a doctor, a gentleman for whom I had the highest respect. One day one of my comrades was injured and it was too far to get him back to camp for the surgeon so we sought a doctor in the nearest town. That’s when I met Belén.’ He smiled faintly. ‘She was acting as an assistant to her father. I’d never seen anyone quite like her.’

  ‘She must have been very beautiful.’

  ‘In truth she was, and yet, oddly, it was her hands I noticed first. They were unmistakably those of a lady yet they were so deft and gentle in tending my friend’s wound. It was after they’d patched him up that I began to look at the woman. Does that sound ludicrous?’

  ‘No. Under the circumstances it makes perfect sense.’

  ‘My friend had lost a lot of blood so they put him in their spare room until he was well enough to travel. I went to the house every day. The more I saw of Belén the more strongly I was attracted to her. She was not only pretty but also well-educated. We talked about all manner of things. She had a keen sense of humour too, and a strong spirit. It didn’t take me long to fall completely under her spell and to know that I wanted her to be my wife.’

  Elena’s stomach knotted. ‘And so you spoke to her father.’

  ‘Yes. He could tell which way the wind was blowing and he had no objection to make. I wanted us to marry at once, but Belén particularly wished us to wait a little to allow certain members of her family to attend the wedding. It was only a matter of a fortnight and so I agreed.’ He took a deep breath. ‘In the interim the town came under attack, people were killed, businesses looted and many properties set alight, including the house where Belén and her father were living.’

  Elena paled. ‘And they didn’t get out.’

  ‘The building burned like a torch and they were trapped on an upper floor.’

  ‘Madre de Dios.’

  ‘By the time I got there the place was an inferno. I tried to get in but the heat was too great. Minutes later the whole interior collapsed.’

  ‘I’m so sorry.’

  ‘I should have taken her away while I had the chance.’

  ‘It’s easy to be wise after the event.’

  ‘She trusted me and yet, when she needed me most, I failed her.’

  ‘You must not think like that. You were not to blame for what happened.’

  ‘And yet I cannot rid myself of guilt. When I think of the terror she must have felt before she died...’ He made a vague gesture with his hand. ‘The crowning irony was that I survived the war. For a long time I wished that I had not.’

  ‘Your death would not have changed anything, Harry.’

  ‘I know it, but I’d cheerfully have settled for oblivion.’ His gaze met and held hers. ‘You are not the only one who has stayed out of churches, my sweet.’

  The implications resonated deeply and she had no difficulty in empathising with him. What kind of God permitted such things to happen? Not one with whom she had any affinity. Nor it seemed did the man beside her. Their conversation raised other questions too, that required an answer. Yet for the first time she feared to ask.

  ‘It is not easy to come to terms with the loss of those we love.’

  ‘No, it isn’t, but there is no use in clinging to the past. Eventually one has to let go and start to look ahead instead.’

  ‘Yet the scars remain, do they not?’

  ‘Yes, they remain with us, but they also fade with time.’ He paused. ‘After what happened I never expected to share my life with another human being, but fate took a hand in that. I’m glad it did.’

  Her heart missed a beat. ‘Are you?’

  ‘I am daily more reconciled to my fate.’ He watched her closely. ‘Are you?’

  ‘I would like us to have a future, Harry.’

  ‘There is no reason why we should not.’

  ‘Except that I am no true wife to you. I’m sorry...’ She broke off awkwardly.

  He took her gently by the shoulders. ‘I told you once that there was no hurry. That has not changed. When the time is right it will happen.’

  ‘Does the thought of me not disgust you?’

  ‘No, why on earth should it?’

  Before she could reply they heard the sound of voices from below announcing the arrival of more visitors. Harry sighed. He would very much have liked to continue the conversation but clearly that wasn’t going to be possible for a while.

  ‘Have you seen enough?’ When she nodded he went on, ‘Let us go down, then.’

  The descent was much easier and fifteen minutes later they were out in the open air again. By tacit consent they walked slowly towards the Alcázar, stopping briefly to let a carriage pass. It was a handsome equipage drawn by a pair of beautiful chestnut horses. As it passed, Elena glimpsed a crest on the door, although she did not recognise it, or the livery of the footman who rode on the step behind.

  The vehicle had barely gone fifty yards before it came to an abrupt halt. The window was lowered and a man leaned out. He scrutinised them keenly for a moment and then his face lit in a beaming smile.

  ‘Is it possible?’

  Elena looked quizzically at her companion. ‘A friend of yours, by any chance?’

  ‘He does look familiar I have to say.’

  ‘But you don’t recognise him.’

  ‘Not immediately,’ he admitted.

  The carriage door opened and a man got out. Then he strode towards them. As he drew near his smile widened.

  ‘Harry Montague! I knew I was not mistaken.’

  Recovering his wits and his memory, Harry returned the smile. ‘Villanueva! Of all people. This is a pleasant surprise.’

  The two men shook hands warmly. Elena regarded the newcomer with interest. He was of an age with Harry and almost the same height. The face with its neat moustache and goatee beard was also strikingly handsome. His dress proclaimed him a nobleman. Harry performed the introductions.

  ‘May I present the Conde de Villanueva. Conde, this is my wife, Elena.’

  The conde’s dark gaze swept her from head to foot, registering admiration. ‘An honour, my lady.’ He smiled. ‘Your husband is a fortunate man.’

  ‘I know it,’ said Harry.

  ‘It has been a long time, my friend. Too long.’

  ‘Yes, it has.’

  ‘May I ask what good fortune brings you to Sevilla?’

  ‘A matter of business.’

  ‘Do you stay long?’

  ‘I’m really not sure. Some days at least.’

  ‘That is excellent. My wife and I are holding a ball on Wednesday to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We would be honoured if you were able to attend.’

  Elena knew Harry would decline. As he had said, they were here on business, and besides, all her gowns were in Madrid. She hadn’t anything suitable to wear and not enough time to have anything made. It was an impossible situation.

  ‘We’d be delighted, wouldn’t we, my dear?’

>   For a moment she couldn’t believe that she’d heard aright. Then, recollecting her manners, she summoned a gracious smile. ‘I can’t think of anything I’d like more.’

  The conde beamed. ‘That’s settled, then. Here is my card—the direction is on it. I regret that I cannot stay to talk further but I am on my way to an appointment.’

  ‘Don’t let us delay you,’ said Harry.

  ‘Until Wednesday, then.’

  With that the conde left them and a few moments later the carriage rolled away. ‘That was unexpected,’ said Harry. ‘I haven’t seen him since the end of the war.’

  ‘How did you meet him?’

  ‘By chance. He was an officer in the Spanish army and his men fought various actions in support of the British. He was a capable leader and a brave fighter.’

  ‘He obviously remembered you.’

  ‘I can recall him mentioning Andalucia, but not that his home was in Seville. It’s a happy accident at all events.’

  ‘Is it?’

  ‘He’s pleasant enough company. Besides, now you have a ball to look forward to.’

  ‘I’d look forward to it a lot more if my gowns were not in Madrid.’

  ‘Heavens, I’d forgotten that.’ He looked thoughtful. ‘We have a little time though, so I’m sure something can be contrived.’

  Elena wished she could share his optimism.

  Chapter Thirteen

  In fact, Harry was as good as his word and, having made enquiries, took her to visit a reputable dressmaker. When patterns and fabrics had been discussed and Elena’s figure measured, the question of a delivery date arose. She opened her mouth to apologise for the short notice but Harry was before her.

  ‘My wife requires the gown on Wednesday afternoon. Kindly see that it is delivered to our lodgings.’ He gave the woman the direction and tossed a purse of coins onto the table. ‘Here is a little something on account. You will get the rest when the gown is finished.’

  Elena blinked. She had never heard him sound so peremptory or so arrogant. His present mien fitted the words too, so that he looked and sounded liked the archetype of a haughty Spanish hidalgo. Nevertheless, it did not fail in achieving the desired effect. The dressmaker stared at the purse and then bestowed on him a fawning smile.