Megan lay and listened to his breathing as it deepened and slowed down. It was a while before she could join him in sleep, because after they had made love, she had realised suddenly just why he could rouse her so easily.

She’d been fooling herself. All the time. Ever since that very first weekend. Hiding from the truth, in fact. But she wasn’t going to hide from it any longer. She’d fallen in love with him, this self-contained, arrogant man who scorned the very idea of romance!

Only he was also a tender, thoughtful lover. He was kind and acted in a loving manner, to her, to his aunt as well.

She was stunned by the realisation of how she felt and hoped desperately that she hadn’t betrayed her feelings while they were making love, because she was not sure how he would react to the idea of her loving him.

He had made it more than plain from the beginning that he didn’t want or believe in romance, only friendship and loyalty.

But she couldn’t help loving him. Wanted to tell him, to say it aloud, to revel in it.

And didn’t dare.

She would have to be careful to say none of the words of love that rose to her lips so easily.

She frowned. And what about him? Not once in all the time they’d been together had he used even the slightest endearment, not even when they were making love. He had spoken her name, called her wench, said she was beautiful, but nothing else.

And suddenly she wanted endearments. She wanted the whole damn thing. She felt bewildered by the strength of her own emotions and yet terrified of driving him away from her by revealing them.

At least they were married now and she could be with him, whether he loved her now or not. She must be very patient. Surely he would grow fond of her in time? She knew he liked her. She did have that, at least.

It was a strange thought for a bride, but then, theirs was a strange union.

Rubbish! a last sleepy thought drifted through her mind. That sharp little voice in her head again. You’re still fooling yourself, Megan Saunders. What you really want now is for him to love you. As much as you love him.

Was she a fool to hope for that? She didn’t know. She prayed not.

She didn’t think she’d be satisfied with mere liking and friendship, not for the rest of her life anyway, not from the man whose children she wanted to bear one day.

The next two days passed in a whirl of shopping and sightseeing, with Ben only attending two very brief business meetings. Apart from that they spent every minute together and for most of the time, it was in every sense a honeymoon.