A Tempestuous Temptation by Cathy Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

snow and poor visibility.’
    Aggie blinked in an attempt to gather her scattered wits, but she still heard herself say, with complete honesty, ‘We grew up with snow in winter. We learned to build snowmen and have snowball fights and there were always lots of kids around because we were raised in a children’s home.’
    Deafening silence greeted this remark. She hadn’t planned on saying that, but out it had come, and she could have kicked herself. Thankfully she was spared the agony of his contempt by the door being pulled open and they were ushered inside by a short, jolly woman in her sixties who beamed at them as though they were much expected long-lost friends, even though it was nearly ten and she had probably been sound asleep.
    Of course there was room for them! Business was never good in winter … just the one room let to a long-standing resident who worked nearby during the week … not that there was any likelihood that he would be leaving for his home in Yorkshire at the weekend … not in this snow … had they seen anything like it … ?
    The jovial patter kept Aggie’s turbulent thoughts temporarily at bay. Regrettably, one of the
en suite
rooms was occupied by the long-standing resident who wouldn’t be able to return to Yorkshire at the weekend. As she looked brightly between them to see who would opt for the remaining
en suite
bedroom, Aggie smiled innocently at Luiz until he was forced to do the expected and concede to sharing a bathroom.
    She could feel him simmering next to her as they were proudly shown the sitting room, where there was ‘a wide assortment of channels on the telly because they had recently had cable fitted’. And the small breakfast room where they could have the best breakfast in the village, and also dinner if they would like, although because of the hour she could only run to sandwiches just now …
    Aggie branched off into her own, generously proportioned and charming bedroom and nodded blandly when Luiz informed her that he would see her in the sitting room in ten minutes. They both needed something to eat.
    There was just time to wash her face, no time at all to unpack or have a bath and get into fresh clothes. Downstairs, Luiz was waiting for her. She heard the rumble of his voice and low laughter as he talked to the landlady. Getting closer, she could make out that he was explaining that they were on their way to visit relatives, that the snow had temporarily cut short their journey. That, yes, public transport would have been more sensible but for the fact that the trains had responded to the bad weather by going on strike. However, what a blessing in disguise, because how else would they have discovered this charming part of the world? And perhaps she could bring them a bottle of wine with their sandwiches … whatever she had to hand would do as long as it was cold …
    ‘So …’ Luiz drawled as soon as they had the sitting room to themselves. ‘The truth is now all coming out in the wash. Were you ever going to tell me about your background or were you intending to keep that little titbit to yourself until it no longer mattered who knew?’
    ‘I didn’t think it was relevant.’
    ‘Do me a favour, Aggie.’
    ‘I’m not ashamed of …’ She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. It was cosy in here and beautifully warm, with an open fire at one end. He had removed his jumper and rolled his sleeves up and her eyes strayed to his arms, sprinkled with dark hair. He had an athlete’s body and she had to curb the itch to stare at him. She didn’t know where that urge was coming from. Or had it been there from the start?
    Wine was brought to them and she felt like she needed some. One really big glass to help her through this conversation …
    ‘You’re not ashamed of … ? Concealing the truth?’
    ‘I didn’t think of it as concealing the truth.’
    ‘Well, forgive me, but it seems a glaring omission.’
    ‘It’s not something I talk