But it was happy hour and the bar was full of noisy people who all seemed to know one another. He stopped in the doorway to scowl at them. ‘It’s like a madhouse in here and all the seats are taken anyway. Let’s see if the restaurant is quieter.’

It was much quieter, but most of the space was taken up by some long tables set up but unoccupied. Presumably these were for the big group of revellers now occupying the bar.

‘If I’d known there was a damned conference on,’ he muttered. ‘I’d never have come here. These country house hotels are usually quiet and comfortable.’ His expression lightened slightly. ‘On the other hand, if I hadn’t come, I’d not have met you, and that’d be a pity.’

She blinked in surprise at this remark and looked at him doubtfully. Was he chatting her up, hoping to get lucky tonight? Because if so, he was going to be disappointed.

No, a man like him wouldn’t be so crass, nor would he be short of female company.

The maître d’hôtel found them a table in a quiet corner and fussed over them in a way that surprised Megan. It was as if Ben was a celebrity. She studied him through narrowed eyes. If he was, she certainly didn’t recognise his face.

He leaned back in his chair with a sigh, sounding tired. ‘This is better. I hope you don’t mind eating so early? I think we’d be wise to get our meal before the revellers take over in here as well.’

‘I usually eat at six-thirty, so it suits me better, actually.’ That’s right, show him how unsophisticated you are!

‘Great. I only had a scratch lunch and I’m starving. Shall we order?’

Once they were settled with glasses of wine, he asked casually, ‘Do you make a habit of rescuing strangers like that?’

She wished he wouldn’t go on about it. ‘I’ve never rescued anyone from anything before. It was just a mad impulse. I hate thieves.’

‘Well, I’m grateful for it.’ His voice was understanding. ‘And you don’t want to talk about it any more. OK. Modesty rules. Tell me about yourself instead. What do you do for a living?’

He might as well know from the start how uninteresting her life was. ‘I manage a suite of professional offices.’

‘Do you enjoy doing that?’

She opened her mouth to say her usual yes, but what came out was, ‘No. Not now, anyway. At first it was interesting, because I started out as a secretary and it was a step up. But it’s no challenge any more.’

He gave her a quizzical glance. ‘Then why do you continue?’

‘Because it’s the only reasonable job I can find near Upper Shenstead.’ Well done! Emphasise the fact that you’re a stick-in-the-mud, Megan! ‘What do you do?’