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Durra sat next to her, still not talking. Shelene wrapped her arm across her shoulders. “My dear Durra. You have saved my life by saving my son.”
She cried, pressing her face into Shelene’s neck. “I was so frightened.”
“I know. Let’s eat some food, fill our stomachs then enjoy the heat of a bath and get rid of this awful dust. And then sleep in peace, knowing today you earned a star in your crown.”
Within a few minutes, Shelene was able to laugh, not celebrating exactly, but joyous nonetheless. She shared some of the delicious fare before she retired to her room. Antonio had already been bathed and was fast asleep. She opened the double doors, listening for Roman’s return.
For years, she’d fussed about having a duenna. Tonight, Martina bustled about the room, attending to every one of Shelene’s whims. Towels, robes, soaps, slippers. Hot tea and a small tray of light food. More water heating at the fireplace. Martina helped remove her boots, collected her dirty trousers and shirt and undergarments.
“Thank you, Martina. You’ve been a great help.” She bathed, sinking into the heated water and scrubbing her skin raw. Then she exhaled the deep breath she had been holding, leaned her head against the tub rim and thought about the day.
All the things she had believed about Roman were small and insulting compared to the larger-than-life man he was. How petty and whiny she must have seemed. How insignificant her concerns were compared to the grand service he performed for his country. Who knows how many times he’d put his life in jeopardy in other skirmishes just like he had done today? And who was there to thank him, or appreciate him, or care that he was willing to die for what he believed in?
And more so his family.
But for all that, she wasn’t fooled about why he’d allowed her to go along. She wouldn’t make that mistake a second time—it was imprudent and emotional to endanger herself and irresponsible to add an additional burden to Roman’s rescue efforts.
She dressed in her night clothes, then checked on Antonio again. He was unscathed from the day’s adventures, sleeping soundly, his fist to his mouth. Durra normally watched him overnight, but tonight it was another of Sakina’s granddaughters. She sat in the rocking chair, ready to answer any of Antonio’s calls.
“Is he restless at all?”
“No, Señora. He seems content.”
Back in her room, she glanced out the doors, anxious for Roman’s return. But she couldn’t keep her eyes open another moment and crawled into bed. She was somewhere in a dreamlike state, watching as Roman moved silently about the room. She called to him.
“Stay in bed, Shelene. Sleep.”
She threw her covers back. He stood in the double doors, wearing only his trousers. He held a drink. She wrapped her arms about his waist, and he slid his arm around her shoulders pulling her close. “Mmm” was all she could say. She hugged him tighter.
“Señor Navarro was there, and two of Pedro Jiminez’s sons. We buried about twenty of them, including your uncle. The others were taken back to Madrid along with the wagons and ammunition.”
“Raúl? He seemed like such a good man.”
“Until Belgrano whispered in his ear.”
“What happens now?” she asked.
“Do you want to go back to England? You and Antonio would be safe there with me. We could purchase a home near Long Leaf. We could stay with Adam and Eloisa until then.”
She didn’t answer. How could she?
“I had to ask, Shelene. You want to stay in Spain, of course.”
“Yes.”
“More danger is likely to arrive at our doorstep. There is trouble brewing in every quarter. The king is barely holding on to power and who knows when another Napoleon will arise from outside Spain’s border?”
“It is home. You are here. And if there is anyone who can keep trouble away, it is you. I trust you, Roman.”
She felt the tangent relief in his body. “We’ll need to protect the valley, and our neighbors when possible. More men, horses and weapons will need to be purchased. I know where we can get some help.”
“It’s not going to happen tomorrow. We’ll be fine for now. We will hear about trouble before it comes to us. Antonio might be a young man before anything serious happens, but this is Spain and her peoples are intractable, at times.”
“Like my wife.”
“Yes.”
“Shelene, please don’t ever ask me to take you with me on another foray like today. I love my son. And it is hard to say this, but I also love the woman who can give me more sons. I’ve seen a lot of death in my years, but there are people I cannot lose, and you are one of them.”
