Page 34 of Shy Innocent In The Spotlight

She gave a rueful grimace. ‘I’m not sure I’m going to be so confident when I next have a lover.’

A sharp pain in his gut caught Mack off guard. But of course she would have another lover one day in the not too distant future. He might be her first but he wouldn’t be her last. Not unless he changed the rules... The rules he had never thought of changing before.

He forced a smile and leaned down to press a light kiss to her lips. ‘Go back to sleep. I have something special planned for the next few days.’

Her eyes lit up. ‘What?’

‘That’s for me to know and for you to find out.’

Elspeth snuggled closer, her legs tangling with his. ‘I’m not sure I’ll be able to get back to sleep now you’ve got me all excited.’

Right back at you, sweetheart.

Mack wrapped his arms around her and for the next half an hour or so sleep was the last thing on his mind.

Over the next few days, Elspeth enjoyed discovering more about the village of Lagrasse. They went on walking tours of the village, picnics by the river and explored the Corbières wine region—the largest wine-producing region of France.

On the last day before they were due to go back home, Mack took her on a tour of the Abbey Sainte-Marie, informing her of its history and other interesting details about its construction.

‘The construction of the abbey was given the go-ahead by Charlemagne in 783,’ he said, walking hand in hand with her. ‘The village developed later and is known for both the abbey and its bridges. The abbey was active from the eighth century until the French Revolution, when many monasteries were destroyed. After one hundred and fifty years of neglect, a restoration programme was established and what we see today is the result.’

‘It’s certainly magnificent,’ Elspeth said, looking around her in wonder and awe.

Mack’s arm went around her waist, drawing her close. ‘I hope I’m not boring you with the history lesson?’

She smiled up at him. ‘Me? Bored? You must be joking. I’m loving every minute.’ She was loving every minute of being with him. He could be talking gibberish and she would still be loving it. But that was the trouble...she was loving not just the sound of his voice, not just the protection of his arm around her waist, not just the way he looked at her, not just the way he made love to her, but him.

She loved him.

The realisation was like a lightning flash, momentarily blinding her. How could she be so foolish as to fall in love with a man who had no interest in falling in love with anyone, much less her? And how could it be possible to fall in love with a man she had only met a handful of days ago? Was it even possible? Or had she let the romantic setting get to her?

Elspeth took a step forward but almost stumbled and Mack’s arm quickly tightened around her waist. ‘Are you okay?’ he asked with a look of concern.

She forced a smile and touched a hand to her warm face. ‘I’m fine. But perhaps a little thirsty.’

‘Come on.’ He led her to the nearest exit. ‘Let’s get a drink and something to eat.’

A short time later they were seated in one of the cafés in the central square of the village. The square was surrounded by beautiful houses, their facades dating back centuries and adding to the old-world charm of the village. Elspeth sipped at a glass of mineral water and Mack had coffee while they waited for their food to arrive. She was conscious of his gaze resting on her, his expression still etched in lines of concern.

‘Feeling any better?’

Elspeth put her glass down and smiled. ‘I’m perfectly fine. I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve shown me. I wish we had another day or two to see more.’

There was a small silence.

‘We could extend our stay,’ Mack said, picking up his coffee cup and cradling it in his cupped palm. ‘I can take a bit more time off work. A day or two at least. How about you?’

Elspeth ran the tip of her tongue over her lips. ‘Are you sure you can spare the time? I guess I could ask for another day or two off work. But aren’t you worried about your brother? Have you heard how he’s doing?’

He put his cup down again. ‘He called me this morning when you were in the shower. Sabine’s father has decided to keep him on after all.’

Elspeth frowned. ‘Really? But how does Sabine feel about that? Won’t she feel her father is being disloyal to her?’

Mack shrugged one broad shoulder. ‘Sabine’s father is like a lot of hard-nosed businessmen—they don’t let emotions get in the way of a good business decision. He’s been impressed with Fraser’s work. That would be his deciding factor in keeping him on, not whether or not it upsets Sabine.’

Elspeth reached for the last of her mineral water. ‘I wonder if he’s hoping they’ll get back together again. But unfaithfulness is a tough thing to forgive.’

‘Yes. And trust hard to build up again.’

---