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He ran his fingertips lightly down her arm and over her naked breasts.
    â€˜Only if you continue to dispel boredom by amusing me.’
    â€˜Georgie …’
    She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him long and thoroughly before slipping her hand between his thighs. Then, for a while, there was no time or need for words.
    When they finally lay entwined, pleasantly exhausted, and too close to sleep for Georgiana’s peace of mind, she turned back the sheet.
    â€˜Do you have to move?’ he mumbled without opening his eyes.
    â€˜If I don’t, I won’t wake until morning and I don’t relish the thought of explaining why I stayed out all night to Mrs Butler.’
    â€˜Tell her you were kidnapped by a doctor who wanted to discuss treatments for heart failure.’
    â€˜She thinks I’m having dinner with Clary and the nurses who share her bungalow.’
    â€˜Why would Mrs Butler think that?’
    â€˜Because that’s what I told her.’
    â€˜You’re ashamed of me?’
    She smiled. ‘Should I be?’
    â€˜I think I’m a charming fellow …’
    â€˜I already know what you think of yourself. I doubt Mrs Butler would agree. She’s suspicious of the motives of all British officers, especially where ladies are concerned. I’m amazed she allowed an American like Angela to marry Peter Smythe.’
    â€˜It was Angela, not Peter, who persuaded Mrs Butler to give them her blessing.’ He opened his pocket watch. ‘We have time for that brandy, if you want one.’
    â€˜Please.’ She went into the bathroom and filled the basin from the jug on the washstand.
    He padded naked into the dining room and rang the bell for service. By the time she’d finished washing and dressing the brandy had arrived.
    â€˜What are you doing tomorrow night?’ he asked when she returned to the bedroom and retrieved her spectacles.
    â€˜Working.’
    â€˜Really?’
    â€˜There are only three doctors in the Lansing. I have, however, been promised Saturday off, if you’re free.’
    â€˜I’ll make sure I’m free. Georgie …’
    She laid a finger over his mouth.
    â€˜Now I’m not allowed to talk to you?’
    â€˜Ground rules. Tonight was lovely and fun.’
    â€˜Thank you …’
    â€˜But that’s all it will ever be between us, David, lovely and fun. I don’t care if you have a wife in India or England …’
    â€˜I don’t.’
    â€˜I don’t want to make plans with you. I just want the here and now. Understand.’
    â€˜No I don’t, Georgie. I’ve never met anyone like you and …’
    â€˜No ands, no past, no future. Beyond Saturday that is.’ She picked up her brandy. ‘Dress, please. I don’t fancy riding through the streets in a hire cab alone at this time of night.’

Chapter Three
    Shumran
    May 1916
    Captain Johnny Leigh tottered unsteadily towards Majors Mason and Crabbe.
    â€˜Brigadier’s compliments, gentlemen. He’s invited all officers to join him at the wharf for a briefing.’
    John studied Leigh with a professional eye. ‘You have a temperature?’
    â€˜Difficult to know in this blasted heat,’ Leigh slurred.
    â€˜Fighting stomach cramps and diarrhoea?’
    â€˜Me and everyone else in this man’s army.’
    â€˜Find a place where you can lie down, preferably in the shade.’
    â€˜There is none.’
    â€˜There might be under a cart.’ John couldn’t see Dira but he spotted the guard he’d been given after his court martial, Sergeant Greening, overseeing a platoon of sepoys who were digging a latrine trench. He waved to him and Greening made his way over. ‘Find Captain Leigh a place where he can lie down and rest, sergeant. If Captain Vincent’s around, ask him to administer chalk.’
    â€˜We ran out of chalk half an hour ago, sir.’
    â€˜Damn!