His reference to their intimacy made her blush prettily. ‘That was a few years ago now.’

‘I’ve never forgotten it, have you?’ He leaned back against the washstand, staring straight into her eyes, enjoying the old memories, feeling again the warmth of their current friendship.

‘No, Oliver, I have not. A woman likes to remember the special times in her life.’ Rosie had many years of contented marriage behind her, but this man had never ceased to draw her devoted admiration. Staring back, she moved next to him, straightened the clothes brush beside him on the cold marble top then refolded the towels.

‘You’ve helped me more than most these last few weeks, Rosie. I’ll always remember that too.’

Rosie carried on unnecessarily rearranging the items on top of the washstand. It was madness to stay here like this. Until a few moments ago they had been master and servant, with no thought on her part of there being anything different between them. It was madness to allow those old feelings to be recaptured. His look of vulnerability when her ladyship had left with young Harry, and now his physical closeness, was increasing his attraction.

It would be so good to be kissed by him again, just once. A wicked thought! But it excited her beyond any experience she had known before. She could not leave the room any more than she could stop breathing. When she looked at him again he was still regarding her.

‘If I can do anything to ease your way, Oliver, you only have to say.’

A moment of unspoken sinful longing re-formed the old connection between them. Then abruptly, he moved away. He couldn’t do what his body wanted. He mustn’t seek comfort with Rosie again. His hand gripped the door latch.

Humiliated beyond measure, Rosie hung her head and made to leave the room sideways so she wouldn’t have to look at him. All she wanted was to make her escape.

Oliver felt the hard iron latch digging into his flesh. He made it hurt him. But instead of pulling the door open wider for Rosie to leave, he closed it, tight.

He cupped her face in his hands, and brought his strong mouth down on hers. She was to get her kiss, just a kiss.

It had been he who had halted their first amours, but this time as their lips made contact, Rosie knew he wasn’t going to stop. He was the one who had reason not to be thinking rightly, and it was up to her to break away, to prevent this wickedness spiralling into the inevitable.