“I was out with some mates.” He gave Keely then his father one last scathing look and strode from the room as quickly as he had entered.

“I’m sorry about that, Keely,” Euan said. “Flynn’s manners are usually impeccable.”

Her cheeks burned. She glanced at Euan, not knowing what to say. Right now she wanted to be as small as a mouse and disappear under the covers.

“You stay and eat your breakfast,” Euan said. “I’ve been away from home for a while. Flynn and I have some catching up to do.”

His lips turned up in a smile that didn’t dispel the sadness in his eyes or the rigid set of his jaw. He left, closing the door behind him. She released the sheet from her grasp and looked at the beautifully set tray on her lap. Euan had gone to a lot of trouble. There was a proper pot of tea – she lifted the lid – with real tea leaves; poached eggs, toast and an assortment of condiments. A dainty pink rose lay along the napkin at the side.

She heard movement in the next room.

“Where are you going?” Euan’s sharp question from beyond the door startled her.

“I’m moving down to the studio.” Keely could hear the tightness in Flynn’s reply.

“Why?”

“I’ve had enough, Euan.” Flynn’s voice rose higher. “I’ve put up with your disappearances and your women but you’ve gone too far this time, you stupid old bugger. If you’re moving one of your ladies into the house, I’m moving out.”

Keely clamped her hand to her mouth.

“Flynn!” Euan barked. “Lower your voice. Keely is a guest—”

“Call her whatever you like to justify it, I don’t want to be a part of your cosy little love nest.”

The burning sensation spread across Keely’s face to her ears and down her neck. He thinks I’m Euan’s lover. She pushed away the tray and tumbled out of bed, pressing her hand to her stomach as she went. Outside, she heard doors thudding and raised voices retreating into the distance. The house returned to silence but there was a rushing sound in her ears.

She went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Standing under the steaming water, she kept hearing Flynn’s words over and over again. She was mortified to think he could assume she was his father’s lover.

A momentary image of Euan delivering her breakfast and his slightly dishevelled appearance popped into her mind. Keely bit her lip. Damn it, she could imagine her mother’s reproving words. “You’ve put yourself in a compromising situation, Keely. Appearances are what count.”

She pressed the cool face washer to her cheeks.