By the time they got back to the hotel, she was feeling footsore, though happy.

He drew her over to the couch. ‘I’d like to talk to you about something, if you don’t need to lie down or anything.’

‘I’m not such a weakling.’

He sat down beside her, sitting slightly sideways, his eyes on her face. She was beginning to feel puzzled. What did he want to talk about that made him look so solemn?

‘We’ve got on well today, haven’t we?’ he began.

She nodded.

‘And there’s no denying the fact that we strike sexual sparks off one another.’

‘Well, um, yes.’ She clearly hadn’t been doing such a good job of hiding her reactions to him as she’d hoped.

He took a deep breath. ‘So I wondered if you’d consider marrying me?’

She gaped at him. ‘What?’

His expression was serious, his gaze not faltering. ‘You heard me perfectly well.’

‘But – it’s too soon, surely, to talk of marriage?’

‘I don’t think so. I believe you and I would be able to build a good life together. We’re not only physically attracted to one another, but we share several interests – and we both want to settle down and have a family. You even want to live in Australia.’

She stared down at her clasped hands, her mind in turmoil. He did mean it! And the trouble was, she was so attracted to him, she was tempted to say yes. Which would be a foolish thing to do on such a short acquaintance.

‘Megan?’ he prompted. ‘Talk to me. Tell me what you’re thinking.’

She raised her eyes slowly to meet his, frowning. ‘I don’t know what to say. I think it’s you who should do the talking. I mean, we hardly know one another. Why rush into something as important as marriage? People usually live together for a while nowadays to see if they’re compatible.’

He reached out to take one of her hands, raising it to his lips and then clasping it in both his own. ‘I can’t see any need to waste time. But this is more rapid than I would have chosen because I’m booked to go to Australia in a couple of weeks. I don’t want to lose you.

‘But… we don’t know one another properly. It’s usual to fall in love before taking such a huge step.’

‘Well, I don’t intend to pretend this would be a love match. Actually, I don’t believe in love at first sight or anything stupid like that. Our marriage would be for much sounder reasons.’

She pressed her lips together. He might not believe in love, but she did.