‘Marnie, listen. It’s the blasted parole thing . . . I’m not a free agent yet,’ he said, willing her to understand. ‘I’m still out on licence. My permission to come here was on the grounds that Glendrochatt might help with a future career for me – as indeed it miraculously has. Then I got an extension by telephone for one more week, but,’ he pulled a wry face, ‘something that’s considered helpful towards so-called “rehabilitation” is one thing, an extended pleasure jaunt might be quite another. I have to go back on Sunday because I’ve got a date with my probation officer on Monday afternoon. I’ve only got a few months left to go and if I missed that I could find myself back where I started . . . in gaol . . . and that,’ he said, ‘would be a pity for a lot of reasons – and you’re one of them. I daren’t risk it.’ He put his arm round her and pulled her against him. ‘Don’t give up on me,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t bear it.’

A feeling of overwhelming relief flooded through her. She rubbed her cheek on his sleeve. ‘Of course you mustn’t risk it. I’m sorry – how dumb of me! I feel real bad I didn’t pick up on that for myself.’ She added wistfully, ‘It would just have made it perfect, that’s all.’

Christopher, deeply touched, was struck by an idea.

‘How much would you mind missing the last couple of days here?’

‘Well, I’m loving being here, but it’s not that important. I’ve already got far more out of Glendrochatt than I ever expected.’ She added truthfully but – for her – bravely, ‘I’m loving still being here now because of you anyway. Why?’

‘Well, I just wondered if we could go earlier – say on Thursday morning – and spend Thursday and Friday nights up there together, find your castle and then wend our way back south on Saturday and Sunday? I’m afraid you’d have to be my chauffeur again. What about it?’

‘Awesome!’ She flung her arms round his neck. When she surfaced, rather breathless, from his kiss, she said, ‘Do you think Giles and Isobel would mind?’

‘I’m sure they wouldn’t. It wouldn’t make any difference to them financially because we’ve already paid – and I’m sure they’d be thrilled for you to get on with your search. I think they feel thoroughly involved with it too.’ He smiled down at her. ‘I’ve had an even better idea. If I come up to Inverness chasing castles in the air with you, how would you feel about coming south with me to stay with my parents for a few days? I’d love you to meet them.’