Flora looked at him expectantly. ‘Aren’t you going to say something? You’re the one who’s slick with words, Conner MacNeil, not me. You always know what to say.’

Still he didn’t answer her. It was as if he’d been turned to stone and she gave a sigh of frustration.

‘Did you hear what I said? I’m in love with you.’ On impulse, she pulled out a chair, stood on it and turned to face the crowd. ‘Flora Harris loves Conner MacNeil!’

Ben cleared his throat and scratched his head. ‘We heard you the first time, Flora. We’re waiting to hear what Conner has to say. But apparently he’s been struck dumb.’

Finally Conner moved. He rose slowly to his feet, gently lifted Flora off the chair and lowered her to the floor as if she were made of porcelain. ‘I thought you were shy.’

‘I am shy.’

He stroked a strand of hair away from her eyes with a gentle hand. ‘I’ve got news for you, angel. Shy girls don’t stand on chairs in pubs and declare undying love.’

‘They do if they mean it,’ she said softly, and his hand dropped to his side.

‘There are things I need to say to you.’

Her heart fluttered. Rejection? Or a stay of execution? ‘Then say them.’

‘Not here.’ He glanced at their audience. ‘I think you’ve had enough of a show for one night.’ And then he closed his hand over hers and led her from the pub and out into the darkness.

‘Where are we going?’ Flora hurried to keep up with him but he didn’t answer and eventually they reached the quay where her boat was moored. ‘You want to go sailing in the dark?’

‘No, but I want to sit and look at her for a minute. Boats always calm me.’ He sat down on the edge of the quay and tugged at her hand. ‘Sit down.’

She sat, her heart pumping, the surface of the quay rough beneath her legs. ‘Are you angry?’

‘How could I possibly be angry?’ He gave a short laugh, his eyes on the boats. ‘I’m not angry. But I can’t accept what you’re offering, Flora.’

‘I love you, Conner. Nothing you do or say is going to change that fact.’

‘You don’t really want an affair. It isn’t who you are.’

‘I want you. And if an affair is what’s on offer then that’s what I’ll take.’ She hesitated and then put her hand on his thigh and left it there. ‘There’s no pressure on you, Conner. I know you were more than a little spooked by seeing Logan and Evanna. I know that family life isn’t what you want—’