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Taryn glared. ‘For the last time, I am
not
your girl!’ Then resignedly, ‘If you want to stay around that’s up to you—but you’ll be wasting your time.’ Gammy chose that moment to return. She smiled at her niece and the man standing beside her. ‘Hello, Taryn, Luke. Had a good day?’

‘It’s not Luke,’ returned Taryn, stiff-lipped. ‘It’s Mark.’

Her aunt’s smile faded and she took a closer look at her niece's companion. ‘Really?’ She shook her head. ‘I never altogether believed you when you said they were so alike,’ she admitted. ‘Now I see why you were so shocked.’

‘Forgive my intrusion.’ Mark turned a winning smile on the older woman. ‘I see you’ve heard all about me; no doubt you’re wondering why I’m here?’

Gammy inclined her head. ‘Something of the sort did cross my mind.’

‘Perhaps Taryn would like to tell you,' he said pleasantly, looking obliquely at his former fiancée.

‘His wife's died,' said Taryn bluntly. If he thought she was going to be tactful he could think again. The time had passed when she cared whether or not she hurt his feelings. ‘So he’s come to see if I’d care to take her place.'

‘Oh, I am sorry,' said Gammy instantly. ‘What happened? You must forgive my niece,’ with a warning glance in Taryn’s direction, ‘but you did hurt her.’

‘A car accident. It was my fault, I was driving too fast. Luckily I was thrown clear and received only superficial injuries.’ He showed none of the emotion that he had displayed in front of Taryn. He was either keeping himself under tight control, decided the younger girl, or else he had put on a very good act for her benefit. Her lips tightened. The latter thought suggested itself as being the most likely.

‘I see.’ Gammy studied his face. ‘Has Taryn told you about Luke?’

He nodded. ‘Yes, but of course there’s no question of her carrying on with him now. I mean, she’s always loved me. She took up with him on the rebound. I know I didn't treat her fairly, but—well, that’s all in the past. From now on ’

‘Not so fast, young man.’ Gammy held up her hand. ‘It’s not so simple as that. Perhaps she did love you, perhaps she still does; only Taryn can give us the answer, but Luke is not a person to be dismissed lightly. He’s a very fine man and I would welcome him as a husband for my great-niece. I don’t know anything about you—except that you’re a fashion designer—and I would certainly want to know a lot more before I allowed Taryn to marry you. You’ve let her down once, how are we to know it wouldn’t happen again?’

‘Don’t worry. Gammy, I'm not going to marry him,’ pronounced Taryn. ‘I was on the point of turning him out when you came.’

‘And I was going to ask if you knew anywhere I could stay for the night,’ interposed Mark. ‘I don’t recall seeing any hotels in this godforsaken place.’

‘Perhaps it’s not quite what you’re used to,’ offered Gammy with a slight lift of her brows, ‘but we like it. You’ve left it a little late to try and find accommodation now. You’d best stay here the night.’

‘Gammy! ’ exclaimed Taryn in undisguised horror.

Her aunt continued as though she had not spoken. ‘Of course the camp bed’s not very comfortable and you’ll have to be up early as we use this room for our meals, but you’re quite welcome.’

Mark’s face was a picture when he realised he would be expected to sleep on a makeshift bed in the living room. It would be fun, decided Taryn, to see how he adapted himself—if indeed he accepted the invitation.

‘I suppose I have no alternative,’ he said ungraciously, ‘though I’m sure I shan’t sleep a wink. Don’t you have a spare room?’

‘Sorry,’ smiled Taryn. ‘We only boast two bedrooms. We live very modestly, as you can see.’

‘Indeed I do,’ drily. ‘I suppose you do have a bathroom—or is that another of the amenities I’m going, to have to do without?’

‘Oh yes, we’re not completely uncivilised. Would you like a cup of coffee?’

‘I’d prefer a Scotch—or is that asking too much
V
‘Afraid so. I can offer you a glass of sherry? ’ knowing full well he detested that particular drink.

‘No, thanks. I’ll take the coffee, strong and black with no sugar.’

‘I hadn’t forgotten,’ returned Taryn tartly, relieved to be able to escape into the kitchen.

Her aunt followed a few seconds later. ‘He’s gone to fetch his case,’ she stated in response to Taryn’s questioning look. ‘Tell me, were you really in love with him? I’m not very impressed. He doesn’t seem your type at all.’

‘I thought I was.’ Taryn stared reflectively at the kettle in her hand. ‘He seems different now.’

‘Since you met Luke, you mean? Luke is so much more of a man, don’t you think, yet he’s not proud. I bet Mark’s never roughed it before.’

Taryn was forced to laugh. 'You guessed that when you asked him. I’m surprised he agreed.’

‘If it wasn’t for you I doubt if he would. He’d have been away to Exeter or Plymouth to one of the best hotels.’

‘I wish he would,’ said Taryn, spooning coffee fiercely into the cups. ‘I wish he’d never come. Everything was going so well. I nearly told Luke today that I’d marry him, I wish I had. Now everything’s ruined.’

“Not necessarily. Perhaps in the morning you’ll be able to persuade Mark that it’s Luke you love and he’ll go away before Luke even knows he’s been here.’

‘It’s too late.’ Taryn faced her aunt sadly, her eyes like two haunted pools in her pale, taut face. ‘Luke’s already seen him—with me in his arms. He didn’t even wait for an explanation. It's all over now. He’ll never believe there’s nothing between us any more. I’ve lost him. Gammy.’ Two tears rolled slowly down her cheeks and fell on to the table. ‘What am I going to do?’

Gammy
looked in concern at her niece’s bowed head. ‘Of one thing I’m sure,’ she said. ‘You’re not going to give in without a fight. Go up there, tell Luke exactly what happened; tell him you love him and want to marry him. He’s a fair man. Once he’s had time to cool down he’ll listen to you.’

‘I wish I had your conviction,’ sighed Taryn.

‘It’s the only way. How else will he find out the truth? Never let pride stand between you and the man you love, Taryn. It can be your worst enemy. First thing after breakfast up you go to Dale End and make him listen.’

As Taryn lay in bed that night she recalled Gammy’s words. Her aunt was right as usual. It would be stupid to let Luke go on thinking she loved another man for the sake of her pride. It would be a hard task—she never easily humbled herself before anyone—but if she wanted Luke, and she did, there was no other way. It was unlikely he would make the first move himself. He had seen what he thought was a passionate embrace between her and another man —he wouldn’t know it was Mark. Perhaps when she explained that she had been consoling him over the death of his wife he would realise that he had made a mistake. She would tell him then that she wanted to marry him—and the sooner the better.

Although Taryn was tired after her long day out sleep was elusive. Thoughts of her coining meeting with Luke prevented her from relaxing. And the man downstairs. Why hadn’t he written instead of turning up like this? She could have then explained that she wanted nothing more to do with him, that all the love she had ever felt had been killed the day he told her he was going to marry Maria. But of course he couldn’t! He had not known her address. If only he had found some way, though, of contacting her beforehand none of this would have happened.

The grey fingers of dawn were creeping slowly across the sky before she fell into a fitful sleep. The sound of running water and a man’s voice singing in the bathroom woke her up. Immediately her mind returned to the previous night. Thoughts of the task in front of her made her curl back down between the sheets reluctant to face the new day, but when she heard Mark go downstairs she realised there was no point in delaying. If she wanted any happiness at all Luke had to be faced—and the sooner the better.

After much deliberation she decided to wear an Italian silk dress in shades of blues and mauves. It was one she had brought back from Naples but which like most of her other clothes had been discarded for shirts and slacks since returning to England. The softly clinging material enhanced her curves and she knew she looked her best. She needed to—as an armour in which to face Luke. With a hint of blue shadow on her eyelids and the merest trace of lipstick she felt more confident and there was an almost jaunty air to her feet as she descended into the living room.

She could hear her aunt preparing breakfast in the kitchen, but Mark was lolling in an armchair, one leg strung over the side and a cigarette hanging indolently between his fingers. He wore sky blue suede trousers and a silk shirt in the same shade, looking entirely out of place in the homely atmosphere of chintz and brass. ‘Good morning, darling,’ he greeted her brightly. ‘Is that dress in my honour?’

Taryn had completely forgotten that it had once been one of his favourites. She felt like tearing it off and dragging herself into denim jeans—which would be completely abhorrent to Mark’s fastidious nature. She tried to look disdainful. ‘Why should I dress for you? If you must know I’m going to see Luke this morning—to apologise for yesterday.’

‘Why should you do that? If he wants to put his own interpretation on what we were doing, then let him.’

‘To leave you a clear field?’ retorted Taryn hotly, ‘No, thank you. I love Luke and I don’t intend losing him,’ and with a deliberate change of subject, ‘Did you have a good night?’

He took a long pull on his cigarette and slowly expelled the smoke into the air. ‘You’re hoping I’ll say no. It would amuse you tremendously to think I’d lain awake all night. As a matter of fact I slept very well—due no doubt to the fact that I’d been travelling all day and was rather tired—but all the same I slept soundly and didn’t wake until your good lady aunt came rattling through with the vacuum cleaner.’

Taryn hid a smile. Gammy was not usually so inconsiderate, but it was clear she had taken a dislike to Mark and was doing all she could to discourage him from staying another night. ‘I’ll go and see if she needs any help with the breakfast.’

Mark made no attempt to join them, and Taryn thought that here again was proof of the difference between the two men. Luke would have soon offered his assistance; indeed he would have insisted on doing his share.

‘What are your plans now, Mark?’ asked Gammy as soon as breakfast was over. ‘Will you be returning to Italy?’

‘I don’t think so.’ Mark studied his nails as though they were of paramount importance. ‘I think I’ll hang around for a little while longer, to give Taryn a chance to make up her mind.’

‘You’ve got a nerve!’ flashed Taryn indignantly. ‘Don’t you ever listen to anything I say?’

‘I don’t believe you’ve changed so much,’ he said smoothly. ‘What’s happened to the Taryn who was so grateful I’d noticed her that she professed undying love?’

‘Don’t start that again. Let’s say I didn’t know my own mind. The romance of a new job in a new country, coupled with your attentions turned my head. It’s over now—finished—and I don’t want to discuss it any more.’

‘So, young man,’ intervened Gammy, ‘now you know where you stand there’s no point in staying. Taryn won’t change her mind.’

He smiled, completely unperturbed by Gammy’s outspokenness. ‘All the same, I think I’ll spend a few more days here. Of course, I won’t put on you any more—charming though your hospitality is—I’ll find a good hotel. There must surely be some around here somewhere?’

‘In any of the larger towns,’ Gammy answered drily, ‘though don’t forget it’s the holiday season.’

Half an hour later Taryn was ready to leave. Mark had so far shown no signs of moving, so she held out her hand. ‘This is goodbye, then. No doubt you’ll be gone when I return. I can’t say I’m sorry things haven’t turned out the way you wanted, but I am sorry about Maria, truly.’

He held her hand slightly longer than was necessary. ‘I think I’ll wait. You never know—Luke may not believe you, then you’ll be glad of a shoulder to cry on. Sure you wouldn’t like me to come with you? I’d still like to meet him.’

‘No, thanks,’ replied Taryn distantly, ‘and I fear you’ll be wasting your time. Even if -’ her voice shook, ‘if Luke doesn’t believe me, I shan’t come back to you.’

‘We’ll see,’ he smiled—so confidently that Taryn felt like shaking him.

She decided against taking the car. The path up to Dale End was now worn clear enough for her to walk without difficulty and the few extra minutes would allow her time to rehearse her explanation. But instead Mark’s smile still lingered in her mind’s eye. He was arrogant, so conceited. He couldn’t bear to think that any woman would reject his advances. Not for the first time Taryn wondered how she had ever fallen in love with him.

Upon reaching the door she hesitated, her hand on the lion’s head knocker, which she noticed irrelevantly had been given a fresh coat of black paint. Then with a determined gesture she allowed it to fall from her hand, closing her eyes at the vibrant sound that seemed to echo throughout the house.

The door opened immediately, almost as though she had been expected. Taryn encountered Luke’? cold disapproval and flinched reflexively. He stood back for her to enter and she shivered despite the warmth of the day. He took no pains to hide his condemnation and as Taryn followed him to his study she felt reproval in every line of his back. She wanted to turn and run, but the thought of Mark waiting— expecting her to fail—increased her resolution to convince Luke that he was mistaken.

Once in his study he turned to face her. Still he had not spoken and was clearly waiting for Taryn to make the first move. Her heart went cold at the stony look on his face. Where was the Luke she knew and loved? Where was the man who had asked her to marry him?

‘I—I want to explain,’ she began. ‘It wasn’t what you thought. Mark was upset—I was comforting him.’

‘Mark!’ He said the name reflectively. ‘I should have known. But that’s a feeble excuse if ever there was one. I think I prefer to put my own interpretation on what I saw.’