“I’m afraid of those men. Can’t you—send them away?”
He shrugged. “You have more reason to be afraid of me.”
“You?” In spite of the deadly chill at her heart she managed a little laugh. “That is impossible.”
“Why?”
“Fear one’s oldest friend?” Already, with intuitive guile, she was laying the foundations of her defense. Though he looked at her with quick suspicion, she returned the innocent eyes nature has given woman for her chief protection. “For you—a man of whom I have known only good? But these men fill me with fear.”
Suspicion clouded, for a moment, his eyes. Passing, it left his gloom lighter. Reassurance softened his tone. “Don’t be afraid. They will leave us at San Carlos.”
“But, Ramon, it is now noon. If we ride hard we cannot get there before dark.” She shuddered at the thought.
“You would rather we were alone?”
“A thousand times.” She returned to his gaze the same innocent eyes—and once more his gloom lightened a shade.
“They are going to San Carlos anyway, so I can hardly send them away. But I am armed, and there is no necessity for you to be afraid. Also—you said that the jefe and priest at San Carlos would refuse to marry us. If so, these are the men who can help me compel.”