He grinned and gave a huge stretch. ‘I’m on my way back to the hotel. I’ve been working through the night, tying up loose ends. Nothing’s gone smoothly this week. I decided to drop in here on the way back and check that you were all right. You seemed a bit – strained last night.’

‘I felt strained.’ She laid her hand on his arm. ‘Thank you for being so understanding.’

He put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her gently on each cheek in turn. ‘My pleasure.’

She felt shy suddenly, so quietly tender was that gesture after the recent passion. ‘I must go and wash my face.’ She hesitated, then couldn’t resist planting another quick kiss on his cheek.

‘Give me your aunt and uncle’s address first.’

When she’d gone, he stood staring after her and touched his cheek. It had been a simple child’s kiss, but none the less sweet. He couldn’t remember any other woman kissing him quite like that since he was a lad. He cleared his throat, but the butterfly impression of her lips was still quivering on his skin.

And he was still feeling roused, needful. It had been a long time since he’d had a relationship with anyone, let alone a continuing need that hummed within him all day long. His lips curved into a twisted smile. And none of the women he had wanted before had been at all like Megan.

He wasn’t sure what that meant. All he was sure of was that he wanted to marry her and would let nothing and no one stop him.

Louisa was just putting the phone down as her guest entered the kitchen. ‘Some people can’t use one word when ten can be found. Who was that at the door?’

‘Ben. He’s still here – has a phone call to make.’ Megan went across to fill the kettle.

‘What’s he doing here at this hour of the morning?’ Louisa looked searchingly at Megan’s tear-stained face. ‘And is everything all right between you now?’

‘Yes. I’m really glad he came. I was upset that my aunt and uncle weren’t coming to the wedding, so we’ve just rung up and invited them. Oh, and Ben’s staying for breakfast. He says he’s been working all night. He’s ravenously hungry.’

‘Will you get some croissants out of the freezer and there’s some ham in the fridge? I just need to check something with him.’

Ben looked up as his aunt entered the sitting-room. ‘Hi.’ He closed down his phone and put it in his pocket.

‘What brought you round here at this hour? You’re not usually an early morning person!’