At 6:30 A.M., as the sun filtered through the fog, Gavin got up, showered, and dressed in a sweat suit. He decided to go to the buffet breakfast by the pool. That way he could be sure to eat quickly. He needed several cups of strong coffee before he could face contorting himself like a monkey with Veronica Exner in the Sit-and-Be-Fit class.

It was a good decision. He carefully placed coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and a warm, flaky croissant onto a tray and carried it to a table near the railing. The breeze was cool and the tangy scent of salt blew away the headache that had been threatening to develop. Looking out at the blue-green ocean with the flecks of white foam on the swells, Gavin found himself amazed again at the ship’s aloneness. The vast plain of water that lapped at its sides stretched out for miles undisturbed by any other signs of life. Gavin took a sip of his juice. Hard to believe that right now barges all over were probably dumping tons of garbage into its depths of the ocean.

Fortified by his second cup of coffee, Gavin checked his watch. It was time to head for the lounge where the Sit-and-Be-Fit class was to be held. His timing was perfect. Regan Reilly and Lady Exner were just entering the lounge from the opposite door. Gavin noticed that Lady Exner looked overwhelmingly bright-eyed, whereas Miss Reilly looked as if she could use a little more sleep. After a hearty good morning he took Lady Exner’s arm possessively and dismissed Regan with a wink, assuring her that all would be well.

As the instructor clapped his hands and called “Places, everyone,” Regan exited the lounge. When she’d been in the shower she’d made a quick call to Luke and Nora from the bathroom phone and knew they’d be waiting for her in their cabin.

Chapter 20

NORA AND LUKE were enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the sitting room of their suite. There was an extra place set and with a sigh of relief Regan sat down as Nora poured coffee into the waiting cup. Nora was wearing a pink silk robe and Regan thought appreciatively how good she looked without makeup. Luke was already dressed in a navy blue sweat suit which on him somehow looked formal.

The suite was decorated in tones of ivory and peach. The sun poured through the large portholes and Regan felt herself begin to relax. “I’ve got exactly forty-five minutes before I collect Veronica,” she announced.

“How’s it going, honey?” Nora asked with an amused expression.

“This reminds me of going out on a first date and within ten minutes you know you’ve made a big mistake and are in for a long evening.”

“The problem seems to be that this first date is of five days’ duration,” Luke volunteered.