My parents

So, yes, it could be well and truly said that she was running away. She’d just have to be less obvious about it. She’d have to be on guard, but at least for the next three days she could also be her practical, down-to-earth self.

She didn’t meet Murad again until dinner.

She hadn’t planned on eating alone with him, but when she’d suggested to the housekeeper that she might eat with the rest of the staff, the idea had been knocked smartly on the head.

She was told that Mr Fullbuster had ordered dinner for seven-thirty, with Miss Josephine.

They were seated on the terrace at a small table. The larger tables had been cleared away and the clear plastic blinds had been lowered to keep out the cool night air. The lights on the jetty were reflecting in the indigo waters beyond and two flaming braziers lit the steps down to it.

They were consuming another elegant meal, seafood chowder followed by a veal and mushroom casserole—Irene had the feeling that nothing less than elegant and delicious