“I don’t feel like turning off that oil lamp, if you don’t mind,” Belinda said.

“I agree. And wake me up if you need to go down to the lavatory.”

“I rather wish I hadn’t had that pint of cider now,” Belinda said.

“Me too.”

We climbed into the bed. The mattress was lumpy and the springs squeaked every time one of us moved.

“I wouldn’t recommend this for a romantic hideaway,” I said, making Belinda laugh.

“Oh crikey, can you imagine!”

We both lay there laughing, as one does when very nervous.

“I’m freezing. How about you?” Belinda asked.

“I certainly am. The blankets feel damp, don’t they?”

“I could put my cape over us. And your overcoat.” She got up and started to drape them over the bedding.

“Remind me whose mad idea this was,” I said.

“At least you are not having to give tea parties and feel lonely and bored,” she said.

“You’re quite right. It is an adventure. I must remind myself of that—especially if I have to get up in the night.”

“Wake me and I’ll hold a candle for you,” Belinda said.

The extra layers started to warm us up. The wind had died down and all one could hear was the distant thump of waves on the rocks below. Gradually I drifted off to sleep. I awoke to pitch darkness. The oil in the lamp must have finally given out. I lay, staring at nothing, wondering what might have woken me. Then I heard it again . . . the slightest sound. Was it the creak of a door?

Only the wind, I told myself. I knew from experience at Castle Rannoch that old houses were full of noises as they creaked and sighed and shifted. I turned over and tried to go back to sleep. I had almost drifted off when I felt the covers being thrown back and someone climbed into the bed beside me. The bedsprings creaked ominously. Silly Belinda, I thought. She’s been to the loo by herself. How considerate of her not to have woken me up.

Then I realized this person was getting into the bed on my left side. Belinda had been lying on my right. I reached out a hand and felt the warmth of her body. Then who on earth? It’s Darcy, I thought. Darcy coming to surprise me. He had done the same sort of thing before, arriving unexpectedly in the middle of the night, creeping into bed beside me. That was when I remembered that Darcy would have no idea I’d be here. I hadn’t given the address to Mrs. Holbrook.

I was instantly wide awake and sat bolt upright. “Belinda! Wake up. There’s someone in our bed.”

This had an immediate effect. The intruder leaped away, exclaiming, “What in God’s name?”