Vidal's Honor Read Online Free PDF Page B

safe, and deserters are often the most dangerous of all for discovery will certainly be the end of life for them ."
    In an attempt to contain the shudder of fear that ripped through her, she wrapped her arms round her body.
    â€œCan we risk her seeing us if she is alive?” Honor wanted to offer the woman some help, but knew the danger might be too high.
    â€œWe have no option,” Tom stated as Harry rejoined them.
    â€œDid you watch them?” Tom began urging the mules to their feet.
    â€œI did,” Harry confirmed. “They carried right on down the track and I doubt they will return.”
    â€œAnd the woman? Could you see anything from your position?”
    â€œExhaustion, is my guess. They did not touch her until she fell.”
    Hence the scream of pain, Honor thought.
    â€œDo we go on?” she asked.
    After a long silence, Harry nodded. “We have no choice.”
    â€œAnd if the woman mentions she saw us? What then?”
    â€œWhy not take her with us,” Honor ventured.
    â€œTo do so is madness,” Tom complained.
    â€œMaybe, but think. If she is with us, she is safe and unable to reveal our presence to anyone else. Also,” Honor paused, huffed out a breath, then continued, “I was going to say, two women with two men would balance the party, but of course I am travelling as a young man. What will happen to her if we leave her where she dropped?”
    Tom and Harry didn’t answer. Didn’t have to.
    She understood.
    The woman, if she remained where she lay, would be taken by the next group of men that came by or die of exposure during the night. Either way her prospects were grim.
    Taking her arm, Harry helped Honor to mount her mule. “Come, we cannot afford to delay any further.”
    Without a word spoken, Honor knew her guides had reached a decision about the unseen woman. When they dismounted beside the forlorn heap in the middle of the path, it didn’t surprise Honor when the men asked her to join them beside the stranger.
    â€œYou must talk to her,” Tom insisted. “She will not trust us.” All three of them understood the peril of Honor talking to a stranger. Her voice, though naturally deep, would not fool those out to find her. While living in the village she’d been ordered to remain in her hut and speak only to those sent to her by Phillipe.
    She dismounted and approached the woman who had her hands over her head. Did she think they were returning members of the men who’d just abandoned her?
    As if unaware of the altercation, Honor she dropped to her haunches and spoke in a low soothing tone.
    â€œAre you not well? Can I help you?”
    The woman stiffened at her approach then looked up at the sound of another female voice.
    â€œAn accident, I fell.” She said struggling to sit up. “I have travelled a long way and my food ran out two days ago.”
    No doubt a partial truth, Honor thought. “Then will you allow us to take you up with us?”
    When Tom and Harry moved to stand beside her, the woman cringed but kept her fisted hands at her side.
    â€œWhere are you bound?” Harry asked, his tone devoid of threat.
    â€œI don’t remember.” She struggled to her feet. “I lost my mule.”
    In other words, those men had stolen it. Tom’s glance silenced any comment Honor intended.
    â€œI will set you up in front of my sister. Come now, get up,” he commanded.
    The woman cast a puzzled look at Honor, then Tom, and back again.
    â€œ Gracias .” She allowed Tom to take her arm and guide her to Honor’s mule.
    â€œDo not let her fall off,” he told Honor.
    Honor shuffled back to make room for the woman.
    â€œWhat is your name?” she asked when the two of them were settled and ready to move off once more. This time Harry was in the lead, while Tom fell in behind them.
    â€œConsuela.”
    Their progress was slower than before, and soon