She swallowed hard and took a step backwards, away from the temptation to cling to him and beg him to stay. She had never considered herself the clinging type, but she kept getting an urge to drape herself all over him. ‘I’ll wait inside the hotel, I think. I’m a bit bewildered by all the crowds outside. When I’ve unpacked, I’ll go down to that nice café off the foyer for a snack.’

‘You can have something sent up here. Or eat in the executive hospitality area on this floor.’

‘Oh, no! Much nicer to go down and watch people. It’s one of my favourite pastimes.’ She stopped in the middle of the room as it occurred to her that she had perhaps spent too much time watching other people in the past and not enough time living her own life to the full.

Well, she was going to enjoy life from now on. Every second of it. And enjoy her new husband, too. She was looking forward to tonight. If his kisses could affect her so strongly, what would his lovemaking be like? A delicious shiver ran through her at the thought.

Ben got back two and a half hours later to find Megan still sitting in the café in deep conversation with an elderly woman who looked like a retired schoolteacher. As she saw him, Megan made her excuses and walked towards him, beaming a welcome.

‘How lovely! I didn’t expect you back so soon.’ Now, perhaps they could go out and start exploring. It was infuriating to have come to a romantic foreign city and then just sit around in a hotel waiting.

‘Unfortunately I have to have dinner with the same people and their wives aren’t coming.’

She knew her disappointment was showing clearly in her face. When had she ever been able to conceal her feelings? Swallowing hard, she managed a shrug. ‘Well, if you have to—’

‘It’s a dreadful thing to do to someone on their honeymoon.’ His tone was coaxing. ‘Will you ever forgive me?’

With an effort she summoned up a smile. ‘I can’t enjoy the fruits of your labour and then complain when you have to work, can I? But I’ll have to change some of my money or I’ll not be able to do anything while you’re away.’

He had been turning towards the lifts, but now he swung back. ‘Are you intending to go out?’

She was not so wimpish that she would just sit around waiting for him to look after her! ‘Well, I’m not intending to stay inside the hotel for the whole of our visit!’

‘No. Of course not. But…’

‘Ben, I’m a modern woman,’ she said firmly, ‘and I often go out without a minder.’ In Upper Shenstead. Which wasn’t exactly a humming centre of activity. But the principle was the same. Wasn’t it?