He leaned against the wall, close enough for her pulse to start beating faster. ‘Do you think your ankle will stand another outing tomorrow?’

She looked at him uncertainly. Did he really want to spend the day with her or did he just feel obliged to fulfil the promise he’d made?

He seemed to understand what she was thinking. ‘I mean it.’

Delight flooded through her. ‘My ankle will be fine.’ And if it wasn’t, she wouldn’t tell him.

‘Then I’ll take you to see Bamburgh Castle, as promised. We may be able to hire a wheelchair to take you round it.’

How unromantic could you get? No way was she sitting in a wheelchair with her back to him. ‘I’m sure I won’t need that. My ankle’s feeling better already. The ice did wonders.’

‘I’ll look forward to it, then.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘But I have to make those calls now.’ He dropped a light kiss on the tip of her nose. ‘Eight o’clock breakfast again?’

‘Suits me. I’ll meet you down there.’

Inside her room she raised one fist in a victory salute. He wouldn’t be taking her out again if he wasn’t enjoying her company.

Tomorrow, she thought as she drifted towards sleep, he’s taking me to Bamburgh Castle. Tomorrow…

Chapter 3

The next morning Megan woke up filled with happy anticipation. She was going to spend another day with Ben, and if things went as she hoped – well, who knew what might come of it? Humming to herself she got up, then noticed the white envelope that had been pushed under her door.

Her heart sank as she picked it up. ‘Megan’ was scrawled across it in black ink. It had to be from him. He was only one person in the hotel who knew her. Why would he write to her, though, when they’d be seeing one another for breakfast?

Or would they?

She hesitated, then tore the letter open and scanned the few lines penned in a slashing, angular handwriting:

2 am

Sorry to do this to you, Megan, but I have to cancel our outing today. I’ve got to dash back to New York or the whole deal will come unstuck. I’m leaving in a few minutes.

I didn’t want to wake you – you looked exhausted last night – but I’ve got your mobile number and I’ll be in touch within a few days.

Look after that ankle.

Ben

Such bitter disappointment flooded through her that she couldn’t move for a moment. The day lost all its colour and tears welled in her eyes as she hobbled back to slump down on the bed. She re-read the letter, but it was still the same sparse message. It didn’t say any of the things she really wanted to know.