‘I am not giving you a hard time. I am telling it like it is. So I hope you haven’t even the inkling of an idea about reneging on our deal.’ She put on her most landlady-like expression and then smiled. ‘It was your work that inspired me. Your work which made me want to do it.’

Rory got up from the table, pushed past the chairs and put his arms round Thea. His hug turned to a kiss, chaste enough at first, but then he opened her mouth with his and kissed her properly.

Thea found herself responding. He was a wonderful kisser, his arms were firm and comforting, and she was tired, a little drunk and still angry. It was nice to be held and kissed, even though it was the cause of her anger who was kissing her.

He pushed his hand up under her shirt, caressing the skin of her waist and back. ‘Come to bed with me.’

Thea reconnected with reality. ‘No. You’re an artist. A bloody good one, but I don’t want to sleep with you.’ She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. ‘Have you no morals?’

‘I left them in my other coat. You’re so lovely, Thea, and I want you so much. Give me one night in your arms and I’ll take the puppies back to Ireland and let my family go hang.’ He was getting more and more urgent, his hands up and down her body, running his fingers round under the waistband of her jeans.

Thea pulled away more determinedly this time. ‘Rory! Sit!’

Lara, who had been watching the antics of her master with interest, obediently sat. Rory looked like he wasn’t going to. ‘I’m warning you.’

He sighed and sank back down into a chair. ‘Come on, it’s a good offer, isn’t it? You said you hadn’t time to look after the pups. Sleep with me and I’ll take them away.’

Thea watched him. Something about this situation wasn’t quite as it seemed. She didn’t trust him further than she could throw him – he would almost certainly make love to her, possibly several times, and then get in his Land Rover and carry on to London, and she’d still be left with Lara and the pups. No, it wasn’t him trying to take her to bed that bothered her. There was something about this London trip which didn’t ring true.

She gave him a friendly smile. ‘You go to London and meet up with all the rich aunties who might leave you money. But don’t think I’m going to take over your animals for ever. I’ll want you back in plenty of time for the private view.’

He frowned. ‘Sure, I’m not much cop at private views. Think of what happened last time. The critics might trash my work all over again.’