Kept at the Argentine's Command

Although all of a sudden she did know, and for the first time in years having her routine destroyed didn’t bring on feelings of anxiety. Quite the contrary…

‘We’re spending the night here.’

CHAPTER SIX

THE DIRECTIONS THEY’D received at the pub in Kilantree’s main street took them just out of town and up a long steep drive to Mrs Bailey’s B&B. The place proved to be a fairly substantial cottage. The eponymous Mrs Bailey appeared in dressing gown and slippers.

‘Well, now, bring the lassie in—you’ll be blown away out there. How are you, m’dear? You look pale as a ghost! We’ve got one of those, but I’m sure it won’t bother you tonight.’

‘Ghost?’

Lulu’s eyes sought his. She didn’t look amused.

Alejandro was aware that her small hand had slipped into his.

‘It brings the tourists in, no doubt?’ he commented, and Mrs Bailey laughed.

‘Aye, it does—but that’s not to say it doesn’t exist. Come up these stairs. You don’t mind carrying your own luggage, do you? My husband is already in bed. He has a four a.m. start with the sheep.’

Lulu’s expression said, More sheep?

Alejandro suppressed a smile. He had to duck at the top of the stairs. The ceilings were low and age permeated the very beams of the place.

The older woman opened a door on a bedroom so snug the double bed itself and a chest of drawers took up most of the room.

There was an unlit fireplace that their landlady began fussing with.

‘We’ll have you warm in no time. I’ll bring ye up some dinner in a half-hour, if that suits. The bathroom is at the end of the hall and there are fresh towels.’

Lulu’s mouth had fallen open. ‘I am not sharing this room with you,’ she hissed as Mrs Bailey closed the door.

He was ready for this. ‘It’s fine, querida, I trust you.’

She rolled her eyes, but he notice

d her gaze was expectant. He wasn’t going to be making the first move this time. He needed this to be very clearly her decision.

‘You should have explained the situation to her.’

He folded his arms.

‘There’s only one bed!’

‘Sí, it looks comfortable.’

It was her turn to fold her arms.

‘I’m afraid you’ll have to sleep on the floor,’ she said.

They both looked at the stretch of floorboards between them.

‘No,’ he said.

She flushed.

‘Maybe you can sleep in the chair,’ she suggested, as if she was being helpful.

He raised an eyebrow. ‘How about we toss a coin for it?’