Page 16 of Prognosis Incompatible

‘Ah...well, actually, I was kind of planning on lazing in bed. This jet lag is a killer.’

‘Not all day, surely,’ George interjected. ‘Even half a day would be better than none.’

She looked from one to the other. She knew they prided themselves on making strangers welcome but this was ridiculous. Did they feel badly that Madeline had made a scene with him already and were trying to make amends or did that quick exchange of looks between husband and wife mean something else?

Like they were trying their hand at matchmaking?

Oh Lordy – she hoped not. She’d rather be run over by a bus than spend a moment alone with Marcus.

‘It’s OK, George, Madeline obviously feels uncomfortable with being my tour guide. I’ll see the sights another time.’

Madeline’s back stiffened and she glared at him. He was making her seem spoilt and ungracious and with his eyes twinkling at her, he obviously knew it. The Blakelys placed a lot of value on good manners and hospitality and she owed them in ways she could never repay.

She’d be damned if she’d give Marcus the satisfaction. ‘Okay, sure.’

‘Thank you, dear,’ said Mary, beaming as George shot Madeline a grateful indulgent smile.

‘Why don’t I pick you up?’ suggested Marcus. ‘What time?’

Madeline had no real interest in the details. She shrugged. ‘One?’

‘Looking forward to it,’ he said softly.

Madeline looked into his blue eyes feeling dread and anticipation in equal measure both scaring the bejesus out of her and she wished she’d never met him. Rising, she busied herself with the dishes.

‘We’ll do this, dear,’ Mary said. ‘Why don’t you go home? You still look very tired.’

Normally Madeline would have insisted but the invitation to leave was too tempting. ‘Thanks, Mary.’ She kissed her gratefully on the cheek. ‘I really am bushed.’

‘Will you be all right, driving home?’ asked George.

‘Of course.’

‘I can give you a lift,’ Marcus offered, standing quickly.

Mary clapped her hands. ‘What a good —’

‘No!’ Madeline exclaimed loudly. Perhaps a little too loudly as her hosts blinked at her owl-like.

Madeline shot Marcus a look that told him in no uncertain terms to back off.

‘No,’ Madeline repeated, not so loudly but with definite firmness. ‘I’m not that tired. I’ll be fine.’

But she was excruciatingly aware of Marcus watching her as she gathered her things and kissed the Blakely’s goodbye. ‘Don’t bother to see me out,’ she told George as he stood. ‘Stay with your guest.’

Then she bade Marcus a brief goodbye because it would have been impolite in front of George and Mary to poke her tongue out and kick him in the shins, which was her first instinct. He’d cornered her and he knew it but she didn’t have to like it.

‘Till tomorrow,’ he said.

Madeline stilled momentarily and their gazes locked, a tremor of awareness slithering up her back. How did he make an innocent outing feel so carnal?

‘Tomorrow.’

---