“Elinor.” He whispered her name and she wanted to melt into him. He tilted his head and his lips brushed hers, butterfly light, as though if they just remained in this tantalizing state of barely touching, they couldn’t be accused of breaking any rules. Her heart was pounding. His lips found hers again, a whisper of touch, just enough to wake up every nerve ending in her body.

“Isaac, mate! Where are you? We’re about done here!”

The shout from across the way caused them to spring apart. It was Frank; he couldn’t see them down in the dip, but they could see him peering over the crest of the hill.

“Down here, Frank,” Isaac called, stepping into view.

“Ah, there you are. You done with your target practice? They’ve hit about as much as they’re ever going to. The birds have pretty much scattered.”

“Yes, we’re all done here too. Plenty of side dishes ready for prepping.”

“Huh?” said Frank.

“Nothing,” Isaac replied. “Start packing down, and I’ll meet you there in a minute.”

“Right-ho.”

Frank’s head disappeared back beyond the crest of the hill, and Isaac turned back to Nory, who had just about regained her composure. They looked at each other, quietly acknowledging that the moment had passed. But despite their idle conversations as they packed up Nory’s “kills” of the day, there was an electrifying undercurrent of unfinished business passing unspoken between them.

Fourteen

Everyone was relieved to get back into the warmth of the castle after the shoot, and nobody felt much like venturing out again for the rest of the afternoon.

Lunch was a generous buffet laid out in the dining room, but rather than eat together at the table, the group took themselves off to various different parts of the castle to eat. Charles, Guy, and Pippa ensconced themselves in the billiards room, while the rest of them retired to the snug, which was essentially a small cinema. There were several two-seater sofas and coffee tables scattered conveniently nearby, and a huge TV screen hung above a marble fireplace.

They settled themselves in, plates piled high with chicken drumsticks, salad, and hot potatoes. Gremlins won the vote against It’s a Wonderful Life and Die Hard. Camille was asleep before the opening credits had finished.

When the movie ended, they left the snug, blinking against the light, yawning, and shivering slightly after the warm dark of the room. Camille, bleary eyed, went off to retrieve her husband from the billiards room. Charles was sitting on a brown leather chesterfield sofa in the hall, one leg crossed over the other while reading a book. He looked up as they emerged rumpled and relaxed from an afternoon of doing nothing. His expression at seeing Jenna was utter joy, as though he hadn’t seen her for a month. Nory couldn’t help feeling wistful.

“Who won?” Jenna asked.

“Pip, obviously.”