for instance. I do not. I would not be surprised if he had something to do with the attempt on your life.’
‘Where is your evidence?’
‘I don’t have any.’
‘Then this notion is a product of your imagination.’
‘That’s not all. I think Steel has allegiances to others - stronger than to us. I do not discount Hector’s involvement in this.’
Sebastian’s gaze turned cold. ‘Please don’t try to manipulate me, Victor. I expect more from you.’
‘Do you?’ Sebastian did not miss the flash of new tough-mindedness in Victor’s tone. ‘I came here to give you my views. As second in command I think I am entitled to air them.’
‘If I wanted those kinds of views I would have someone with a background in military intelligence as my adviser.’
‘It doesn’t take a soldier to see such things. Call it intuition if you want. I’m not a soldier but I have plenty of experience of life.’
‘And what do you propose we do about these intuitions?’
Victor was not sure. He had not thought that part through thoroughly. ‘Perhaps we should be frank. Let’s confront Steel with our concerns and see what he says.’
Sebastian looked suddenly irritated with Victor. ‘If you have no stomach for this fight any more then you are under no obligation to stay.’
Victor was stunned by the comment. ‘After all that I have sacrificed, this is what you say to me, for expressing my opinion?’
‘I’ve been living by my wits my entire life. Things change, Victor. People change. Perhaps we no longer follow the same path.’
Victor was furious. Frustration welled up in him. He felt as if he had been mortally wounded. ‘I have learned something about change tonight. And that is not to be afraid of it.’
Sebastian did not react.Victor went to the door and left the cabin.
He closed the door and stood in the darkness, the emotional wound stinging intensely. But instead of skulking away to drink himself to sleep he straightened his back and gritted his teeth. He was not going to let this one go. If he was at a crossroads with this revolution then it was time to do something other than what he had been doing.
To keep out of sight Victor decided to take the back path between the cabins that led to the stables. When he got there he saddled his horse and led it out of the stall. As he climbed onto the animal’s back Yoinakuwa stepped from the shadows, startling him.
‘Will you stop doing that,’ Victor said, clutching at his chest. ‘One of these days you’re going to give me a heart attack.’
Yoinakuwa looked him in the eye, his question plain enough.
‘I have to go somewhere,’ Victor said. ‘I will be fine on my own.’ Then he had an afterthought. ‘But if I am not back by morning you may find the answer in Hector’s camp.’
Victor rode away into the darkness. Yoinakuwa watched him go.
Stratton placed his clothes over the back of a chair, stepped into the metal bath and lowered himself gingerly into the hot water. He immersed himself gradually, sliding down until the liquid was up to his neck, taking a moment to get used to the heat before sinking beneath the surface.
He held his breath, relishing the sensation of the hot water all around him. As he resurfaced slowly and opened his eyes the door of the cabin opened. His gaze flicked to his pistol a foot away on the chair and he moved his hand towards it.
Louisa stepped in stealthily and closed the door behind her quietly, keeping her back to it as she looked around the room.
When she saw Stratton lying in the tub looking at her she broke into a giggle. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said in a soft voice. ‘I didn’t knock because I didn’t want the guards to see me.’
‘Did they?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Some guards.’
‘They’re not meant for you.’
‘I’m not worth protecting any more?’
‘You don’t need protecting. Anyone with any sense would be afraid to come in here.’
‘
‘There’s nothing in here that I’m afraid of.’
Stratton smiled at the innuendo.
‘Can I lock the door?’
He raised his eyebrows questioningly.
Louisa ignored him and drew the bolt across. ‘How’s your back?’ she asked, walking over to him.
‘I neglected to change the dressing. I’ve been a terrible nurse.’
‘I understood that was because you’d moved on from nursing.’
‘We have to win the revolution first. Let me see it,’ she asked, walking behind him.
Stratton leaned forward in the tub as she crouched down. He felt her fingers on his back, touching him gently. Then her palms spread out and covered an area much larger than the wound. ‘You heal well,’ she said as she dipped a hand in the water. ‘You like your bath hot.’
‘Not usually. But it’s been a while.’
‘Can I wash your back for you?’
‘You’re very kind.’
Louisa was about to pick up the large slab of brown soap on the chair next to his pistol. Then she gave it a dismissive look. ‘You can’t wash your skin with laundry soap,’ she said. ‘There’s a box of shampoos and gels somewhere.’ She stood up and walked away.
Stratton listened to her rummaging through some boxes.
‘Victor looked disturbed tonight,’ she said.
‘He seems to have a lot on his mind.’
‘Did he tell you?’
‘No.’
‘He’s having a private talk with my father, just the two of them. That’s unusual for him. The ambush has changed him - made him more daring, perhaps.’
The sounds of Louisa searching through the boxes ceased and Stratton waited for the sound of her boots on the floor as she came back. But there was nothing other than the crackling noise of the fire. He heard a soft sound close by and remained still, wondering what she was doing.
He looked down to see her bare foot dipping into the water.The other followed and she lowered her naked body into the tub behind him, stretching her legs out either side of him. She held his lower back tightly between her thighs.
Gently, she took hold of his shoulders and guided him until his back was resting against her breasts. She placed a hand on his forehead and pressed his head back until it was nestling on her shoulder. Then she laid her cheek against his.
‘That was pretty sneaky,’ Stratton said.
‘It’s called strategy. It’s not just used in war, you know. I was told that you can use it in anything. Even love.’
‘That’s a wise teacher you have there.’
‘Well, he knows his stuff on the battlefield. I don’t know what else he might be good at, though.’
It was the most delicious gauntlet that had ever been thrown down before him, Stratton thought.
