They moved by unspoken consent to stand by the windows. ‘So many boats,’ said Megan wonderingly, ‘and all full of people going about their business.’

‘We’ll go for a trip round the harbour if there’s time. How would you fancy a ride in a junk?’

‘Could we? Oh, Ben, you make me feel like Cinderella at the ball!’

‘Well, I’m no Prince Charming, I’m afraid.’

She eyed him sideways. ‘You look the part – tall, dark and handsome – but…’

He looked at her suspiciously as she paused. ‘Well, go on. Finish it! What comes after the but…’

‘But just a trifle grumpy at times.’ She pretended to shrink away from his mock anger.

‘You’ll pay for that later, woman!’ He tilted her chin up. ‘In the meantime, I’ll take a small deposit on account.’

The kiss began gently and it went on until her whole body was bound up in it, till she was pressed tightly against every masculine inch of him. When he moved away from her, she had to clutch him or she would have gone spinning onto the floor.

He chuckled softly. ‘No one ever kissed you properly before, did they, Cinders?’

‘No.’ She smiled at him. ‘I think I’m going to need a lot of practice to get it right.’

He sighed and looked at his watch. ‘I hate to say this, but I have a meeting to attend.’

‘Now?’ She could not believe her own ears. He was going straight to a business meeting on their honeymoon!

‘I’m afraid so. I’d planned this trip before we even met. I couldn’t have cancelled things without giving serious offence to some people whose goodwill is important in the finalising of this part of a multiple deal.’

She pulled away from him, trying to speak cheerfully. ‘OK, then. You’re forgiven.’ But she knew she wasn’t concealing her feelings very successfully.

‘I really am sorry.’ He looked at his watch again. ‘Do you want to go out shopping or will you wait for me here? You only have to ring if you want room service. The hotel staff are very helpful.’ He reached out to tease a strand of her hair into a curl, something he seemed to enjoy doing.

He sighed and let the curl drop back, then went into the bedroom, where he changed hurriedly into a clean shirt and dark suit. As he left, the kiss he planted on her cheek was distinctly absent-minded, his thoughts already elsewhere. ‘I expect I’ll only be a couple of hours.’