“You look very smug,” I tell him as I check the labels on the little bottles that are lined up on the marble vanity. I could be wrong, but I’m fairly sure the brand is one that retails only in exclusive boutiques.

“Do I?”

“Yes. But that’s OK. You deserve to. I can’t believe this place.” I unscrew the lid on the bath gel bottle and sniff it gingerly. It smells of extravagance and indulgence. I pour the whole lot into the bath and the water immediately starts frothing up into bubbles.

“I knew you’d like this place,” James says. “And you’ve barely seen half of what it has to offer.”

“Honestly, I could just stay in this room and be perfectly happy.” I sigh. “This bath, that bed. Is there a minibar?”

He laughs. “I believe so, yes.”

“Then I’m all set.”

“Well, I hope you do leave the room at some point,” he says. “I’d quite like to spend some time with you, if you can spare it.”

I pretend to consider it. “I suppose I should,” I say eventually. “As you’ve gone to so much effort and everything.”

“How about”—he consults his watch—“I pick you up at six o’clock for dinner. Four hours. Is that enough time for you to enjoy this?” He gestures toward the bath, where the bubbles are threatening to overspill.

“It will have to do.”

“I can make it later if you prefer.”

“I’m kidding. If I sat in there for four hours you’d be dining with a wrinkly old prune.”

“I’ll see you at six, then.”

“You will.”

“Enjoy your bath.”

“I’m sure I will.”

He opens the door and steps out into the hall. Before the door can close I call his name, and he catches it, pushing it open again.

“Yes?”

“Thank you.” I smile. “For bringing me here.”

“You deserve it,” he says softly.

“I’m still not sure, though, exactly why we’re here?”

“All will be revealed in good time, Ava,” he says mysteriously, winking. Then he laughs. “Well, tomorrow, anyway. For now, just relax. Enjoy the moment. I’ll see you soon.”

He lets go of the door and it closes behind him. I stare at it for a minute, wondering what he meant by “all will be revealed.” Then I realize that wondering about it won’t bring me any closer to the answer, so I do what he says. I strip off, climb in the bath, and I enjoy the hell out of the moment.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Six o’clock on the dot there is a knock on my door. I am ready and waiting, and have been for the last half an hour. An hour in the bath and then a nap has given me strength back, and I feel renewed and ready to face the evening. Standing up, I straighten down the skirt on my dress nervously, take a deep breath, and then open the door.

“Hey.” He smiles, and takes my breath away. “You look amazing.”