With that realisation came the memory of last night when she’d been alone in the cottage knowing there was someone outside. In daylight it was easy to dismiss that heart-thumping moment and how scared she’d been, but how would she feel tonight after dark? She glanced at Conor’s face, reluctantly deciding that, on balance, he was the lesser of two evils. Having him there would at least make her feel… not safe, but secure. That was it. There was nothing safe about Conor, which was a salutary reminder to keep her distance from him. She was going to have to accede to Adrienne’s wishes.

Conor was drumming his fingers on the table very lightly. She noticed he wasn’t saying anything.

Swallowing down her pride and a touch of resentment she carefully focused on Adrienne, not looking at him. ‘If you really think it’s necessary…’ She let the words drift away, not willing to completely accede.

‘I do,’ said Adrienne firmly and dusted her hands together as if to seal the deal. ‘Right, I’m away. We’ll see you at seven for dinner.’ She gave Hannah a quick hug. ‘Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’ll make sure you’re all right.’ She darted towards the door without looking back as if leaving the two of them to talk.

‘Apparently it’s my job now to rescue the damsel in distress.’ Conor favoured her with a reluctant smile.

‘I thought that was my job,’ she quipped before she could stop herself and immediately realised she’d said the wrong thing. ‘It doesn’t change anything,’ said Conor quietly.

‘I never thought it did,’ she said. ‘I’ll do my best not to throw myself at you.’

He turned and left, pulling the door closed behind him.

‘Grrr,’ she said to herself. The last person she wanted staying with her was Conor, she thought as she flounced up the stairs to get ready for dinner. Bloomin’ Adrienne and her determination to protect Killorgally at all costs.

‘Underestimate her at your peril,’ the newspaper article she’d read had said. ‘There’s some that believe she has the touch of the fae about her. She’s certainly weaved considerable magic at Killorgally.’

Hannah might not believe in magical powers but there was no denying Adrienne had a certain charismatic aura about her. How else had she managed to bring about the last thing she and Conor wanted?

Chapter Fourteen

‘Just so you know. This was all my mother’s idea.’ Conor met her after dinner on the path outside the farmhouse, a holdall in his hand.