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‘He told me all right,’ admitted Taryn. ‘Mrs Major’s room—that’s what he said. Now I see why he looked so strange when I asked if you had any children.’ Luke suddenly began to laugh. ‘You thought that Helen was ? Oh, Taryn, you silly little goose, why didn’t you ask?’

Taryn hung her head. ‘How could I? You scarcely mentioned her yourself—and the fact that you had separate rooms. I thought that perhaps everything was not as it should be between you.’

‘And that I was playing around with you because I didn't get any love at home?'

‘Something like that.’

‘If only I’d known! No wonder I didn't seem to be getting anywhere.’ He held out his arms and after a moment’s hesitation Taryn joined him.

She felt like crying, her relief was so great. She buried her head against his chest and as his arms held her close she suddenly felt that she had come home. For the first time in many months she felt safe and secure. Luke loved her! Although he hadn’t said in so many words she was quite sure he did, and she loved him. But you once thought you loved Mark, an inner voice seemed to say. How can you be sure this time? It was true. How could she be certain that on this occasion it would be a lasting love? If Luke hurt her as Mark had done would she so easily turn to someone else? Was she incapable of ever truly loving one man for the rest of her life?

Luke’s next words were as though he knew what was on her mind. ‘I love you, Taryn. I’ve wanted to tell you for so long, but I haven’t dared. I was never quite sure where I stood with you.’

She lifted her head and smiled and their lips met in a mutually satisfying kiss before Taryn remembered where they were and struggled to free herself. ‘Your mother ’ she began.

‘My mother,’ he repeated, ‘knows exactly how I feel.’

‘You mean you told her—before me?’

‘I had to tell someone, and I have no secrets from Helen. She’s the most wonderful mother a guy could ask for and since my father died she's turned to me more and more. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not the possessive type. Her ambition is to see me happily married,’ and then anxiously, ‘You do like her?'

Taryn nodded and smiled. ‘It would be impossible not to, and I’m sure she’ll get on fine with Gammy.’

‘So,’ said Luke, leading her over to the settee, ‘that brings us back to you and me. Now you know how I feel—and that I’ve not got a wife tucked away somewhere—dare I ask whether you return my love?’

Taryn looked at him for a long minute. She wanted to say yes, but how could she be sure? ‘I—I think so,’ she said at last. ‘I mean, yes, of course I do.’

He touched her cheek gently. ‘You don’t sound very certain.’

‘When I thought you had a wife I was crazy with jealousy. I’d made up my mind to go away, never to see you again. When you invited us to lunch I wanted to refuse. I didn’t want to meet her. Oh, Luke, does that answer your question?’

His answer was to draw her close and rain kisses on her face. ‘Darling Taryn, how you’ve suffered— and so unnecessarily. But no more. How soon will you marry me?’

This question was so unexpected that Taryn drew back in surprise. ‘Give me time,’ she husked. ‘I’m not yet used to the fact that you love me.’

‘Surely it's sufficient that I do? And if you feel the same there's no reason to wait.' His dark eyes pleaded with her.

‘Luke, please don't rush me. I will many you, but I don’t feel ready for it yet.’

Taryn was not prepared for the angry frown which replaced his good humour. ‘I might have known,’ he grated. ‘It’s Mark, isn’t it? Won’t you
ever
forget him? Am I to live with his memory for the rest of my life?'

‘Please,’ she protested, ‘I’m doing my best, but it’s impossible to completely forget someone you once thought you loved.’

‘I think you still love him,’ Luke stated matter-of-factly, looking suddenly tired and dispirited.

‘I don’t. He killed what love I had for him when he told me about Maria.’

‘Do you mean to tell me,' he said quietly, ‘that if Mark walked into this room right now you would have no feelings for him whatsoever?’

It was a difficult question and Taryn was silent for so long that Luke gave a snort of disgust and springing to his feet crossed over to the window. He pushed his hands into his pockets and stared out across the valley. Taryn made a tentative gesture towards him, but knew that unless she could give him a positive answer he would only rebuff her. Yet how could she? How did she know what her reaction would be?

‘Please, Luke,’ she said at length. ‘It’s an impossible question and as the matter is unlikely to arise I see no point in trying to give you an answer.'

‘Is it so unlikely?’ He swung round to face her. ‘Stranger things have happened.'

Taryn shrugged. ‘If you feel like that there’s no point in going on. I can’t say how I’d react. I could tell you now, in all honesty, that if we did meet he would mean nothing to me at all. On the other hand, I might find I’m still in love with him.'

‘So how long have I to wait until you make up your mind?’

‘Perhaps—a Christmas wedding would be nice,’ suggested Taryn hesitantly. ‘That would give me time to ’

‘Christmas! ’ he interrupted harshly. ‘Six months! Damn you, woman, I want you now. I won’t wait that long.’ He strode forward and pulled her roughly into his arms. She was aware of a throbbing passion as he kissed her—a harsh, punishing kiss—a demanding kiss. ‘I’ll give you three weeks,’ he said thickly. ‘If you can’t give me your answer by then you can forget I ever asked you.’

Taryn
was alone in the room when her aunt returned. After that brutal kiss Luke had stormed out and Taryn, on the verge of tears, had curled up in a chair desperately trying to straighten her muddled thoughts. Of course she wanted to marry Luke. She loved him, so why hesitate? The chances of Mark ever coming to England, to Ferndale at least, were so remote it was laughable. What doubts she had would soon disperse once she became Luke’s wife.

Taryn love, what’s the matter?’ Her aunt came straight to her side. ‘Where’s Luke? You haven’t quarrelled?’

Taryn shook her head. ‘A slight difference of opinion, that's all. It will pass.’

‘It looks more than that to me,’ observed Gammy drily. ‘What have you been saying? ’

‘What have
I
said? Really, Gammy, don’t you think it could be Luke who’s at fault?’

‘I doubt it.’

‘If you must know,’ realising that her aunt would ferret out the information one way or another, ‘Luke’s asked me to marry him.’

Her aunt’s face lit up before frowning anxiously. ‘You’ve accepted, of course?’

‘Not exactly. I told him I wasn’t sure.'

‘But you love him.’

'I know, but I’m afraid. I once thought I loved Mark. What if it happens all over again?’

‘Now you’re being foolish.’ Gammy drew up a footstool and sat beside the young girl. ‘Everyone has a first love, whether it’s a schoolteacher, a pop star, or the first man they date; but just because it doesn’t turn out it doesn’t mean the same will happen with the next man. It’s a risk we all have to take. Only you know how you feel. If you love him enough —and I think you do—then go ahead and marry him. Otherwise you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.’

Taryn drew a deep breath and expelled it slowly. ‘I wanted to wait until Christmas, but Luke won’t. He’s given me three weeks, and after that it will be all over between us.’

Gammy regarded her niece gravely. ‘I’ve never told you before,’ she said, ‘but I met and married your Uncle James within a month and neither of us ever regretted it. My only sorrow now is that he’s not alive to see his great-grandson. If I were you I’d think again about asking him to wait. I’ve felt all along that you were right for each other; it would be a pity to lose him because you took too long to make up your mind.’

‘I suppose you’re right,’ admitted Taryn, ‘but I haven’t the nerve to tell him now. I’ll wait until the three weeks are up. At least it will give me more time to get used to the idea.’

‘As you wish.’ Gammy rose and stood looking down at Taryn. ‘I must say it was a pleasant surprise to find out that Helen was Luke’s mother. However did you manage to get the wrong impression?’

Taryn lifted her shoulders dispassionately. ‘Andy called her Mrs Major—I assumed the rest.’

‘And suffered sleepless nights because of it? Never mind, love, it looks as though all will turn out well in the end.’

Taryn nodded grimly. ‘Let’s hope so,' and then with an effort to appear more cheerful, ‘Does Helen need any help in the kitchen? ’ .

Gammy shook her head. ‘She turned me out; says she works best alone, but it shouldn’t be long. Shall we go into the dining room?’

The rosewood table set with sparkling silver and snowy white linen was enhanced by an arrangement of wild roses, arranged so artistically that they could not have looked better had they been the most expensive of blooms. It added the finishing touch to an otherwise austere room with its regency-striped curtains and matching upholstered chairs. The sculptured carpet in palest beige muffled their steps and Luke, standing near the window, did not hear them enter. When Gammy spoke he looked round and Taryn caught a brief look of anguish on his face before he made a visible effort to control his feelings.

‘Lunch is ready if you’d like to sit down,’ he said. ‘I’ll help Helen bring it in.’

Taryn caught his hand as he brushed past her, unable to bear the thought that she was the cause of his grief. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, ‘I didn’t think you’d
^;
'

‘Forget it,’ he cut in with a sidelong glance at Gammy.

The older woman took the opportunity of saying: ‘If it will be of any help, young man, I’m on your side. I’m glad you’ve given her an ultimatum, but make sure you stick to it.’

‘I intend to,’ he said grimly before carrying on out of the room.

Taryn wished her aunt had said nothing, or at least waited until she was alone with Luke. They sat on in silence, each full of their own thoughts, until Luke reappeared wheeling the dinner trolley, Helen following with a bottle of champagne.

‘I thought we’d celebrate our first party in the new house,’ she smiled. ‘Unless you can think of anything better?’ looking expectantly from Luke to Taryn. Taryn guessed what was on her mind and shook her head quickly.

‘I think it’s a splendid idea. It’s such a beautiful place. I’m so glad it’s going to be lived in again after all these years.’

Luke uncorked the bottle and their luncheon began with much merriment. For the moment at least Luke appeared to have forgotten his earlier upset and did his best to entertain their guests.

Home-made vegetable soup was followed by a beef casserole marinated in a red wine and cooked with button onions, mushrooms and carrots. It was delicious, and Taryn ate so well she was forced to refuse the cream caramel that came afterwards. It was altogether a very satisfying meal and by the time they had finished Taryn had almost suppressed all thoughts of her disagreement with Luke. He treated her no differently, and had Taryn not guessed that this was a front put on for his mother’s benefit she might have decided that he had forgiven her earlier indecision.

They were drinking their coffee in the lounge when Gammy brought up the subject of Mark. ‘Has Luke told you he’s got a double?’ she remarked casually to Helen.

Taryn glanced across at Helen and caught the swift look of—was it horror?—in her eyes before she smiled blandly and said, ‘Really? How interesting,’ and turning to her son, ‘You never said. Have you met this—er—supposed double of yours?’

Luke, who had been standing behind his mother and had not seen her reaction to Gammy’s unexpected question, shook his head. ‘He’s a friend of Taryn’s, not mine. You’d better ask her.’

Still trying to puzzle out why Helen Major should have reacted so strangely, Taryn nodded and smiled. ‘I met him in Italy. The first time I saw Luke I thought it was him. In fact it took me ages to convince myself that he was not Mark.’

‘Mark?’ Her voice had grown faint and she put a hand to her breast.

‘Are you all right, Helen?’ Taryn looked up at Luke, a swift frown creasing her brow.

Swiftly Luke bent over his mother. ‘Helen!’ he said urgently. ‘Where are your tablets?’

‘My bag,’ she mouthed, her face now devoid of colour.

He was out of the room in two strides and almost before they had time to speak was back with a glass of water and the bottle of tablets. Shaking two into his hand, he put one arm round Helen’s shoulders and steadied the glass as she swallowed.

‘It’s her heart,' he explained to a worried Gammy and Taryn. ‘One of the reasons I wanted to bring her out here. She’s been so much better this last couple of days, but I suppose she’s overdone it today.’

‘I wish we’d known,’ Gammy responded. ‘We wouldn’t have come.’

‘Precisely. That’s why I didn’t tell you. Helen wanted you here. Don’t worry, she’ll be all right in a minute.’ And as if in answer to his words the colour returned to Helen’s cheeks and she gave her guests a wan smile.

But Taryn knew that it was not the extra work that had caused this sudden attack. It was something to do with Mark and Luke. All along she had felt there was some connection—and Helen knew what it was! In that case had Luke been lying when he professed not to know Mark Vandyke? Did he in fact know him—or, to be precise, was he Mark? The scar which she had considered definite proof of Mark’s identity could have been removed by plastic surgery. Once again she was faced with the thought that Luke was Mark but for some reason he did not want her to know.

As Luke himself did not seem to realise that his mother’s spasm was caused by mention of Mark, Taryn decided there was no point in continuing the conversation—in any case, due to his mother’s condition—it would be wise never to mention Mark again.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Helen made an effort to speak. ‘Please forgive me. I ’

Gammy held up her hand. ‘Don’t try to apologise. I think you ought to be in bed—Luke?’ looking at him. ‘You take her. Taryn and I will, clear away and wash up.’