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catapulted open and the contents flew over the floor. ‘Sorry about that. I noticed the catch was broken when I took it from the car and I was being careful.’
    He knelt and quickly replaced her things, then held the photo of John up for closer inspection. ’Is this the lucky guy?’
    ‘I suppose so,’ Serenity muttered.
    ‘You suppose so! Don’t you know? You’re wearing his ring, aren’t you?’ He gave her a sharp glance.
    ‘Yes, I’m wearing his ring, but whether he’s lucky or not is a matter for conjecture,’ she said with considerable asperity.
    He turned the photo over and to her annoyance read out loud John’s silly verse.
    'Serenity James is tall and slim,
    Serenity James has an enchanting grin,
    Serenity James has a figure divine,
    And Serenity James is mine... all mine.
    Well, he seems pretty sure he’s got it made, quite boastful in fact.’
    Serenity stared out the window. Yes, John had been so boastful about their engagement, about her loving him . . .
    ‘Hey, you’re not still having trouble remembering, are you?’ Hudson was all concern. He stuffed the photo back in the purse. ‘I’m an idiot.’
    ‘No. It’s okay. Everything’s coming back now.’ The trouble was that she had been gloriously free of regrets and resentments for the past hour, and she didn’t want it all coming back. She had actually been enjoying herself, laughing, even singing.
    ‘I’ve made you cry, I’m sorry. You’re probably more shaken up than you realise. I’ve got to get you into a bath then into bed, and then you can ring this chap up and tell him you’re safe and well. Which case do you want opened?’
    Serenity pointed to the smaller case, and Hudson flicked the latches open and pulled it closer to her before picking up the other case, together with her purse and dress and headed off through the far door.
    She leaned forward, angry at herself for the tears which had fallen so unexpectedly. She scrubbed them away from her eyes, then lifted out her toilet bag, some clean undies, a pair of jeans and sneakers and a pretty blue scooped-necked top. She loved this top with its heavy embossed satin butterflies. She had chosen it to wear on her honeymoon.
    ‘Got everything?’ Hudson asked cheerfully. ‘The bath is run, and I’ve put out the towels.’
    He bent down and lifted her back into his arms, then, balancing her on his knee, piled her things into her arms and strode for the far door.
    ‘This is unnecessary,’ Serenity cried angrily. ‘Put me down.’
    Ignoring her he carried her up a short flight of stairs, elbowed the bathroom door open, and deposited her on a chair beside a hot bath. ‘Do you think you can manage by yourself?’
    ‘And what do you propose to offer if I can’t?’ Serenity asked in quelling tones.
    ‘Well, sing out if you feel faint or anything.’
    ‘I will not faint or anything,’ she informed him firmly.
    ‘No, I’m sure you won’t. You just don’t look the fainting sort. Pity. I’ll be in the kitchen making a cup of tea. Your bedroom is directly opposite. Take as long as you like then hop into bed and I’ll bring you up a cuppa.’
    ‘I won’t go to bed. I’ll come down for my tea, thank you.’
    She heard him whistling again as he went downstairs. She looked about her with appreciation at the well- appointed bathroom. This Hudson Grey didn’t stint himself when it came to comfort. She stripped and eased her stiff achy body into the hot bath, then sniffed inelegantly. He must have added the fragrant bath oil with a liberal hand. She didn’t know what he had used but she would bet it was expensive. It was absolutely divine, and Serenity felt lapped in luxury.
    As she soaked in the hot water she relaxed completely, the combination of the heavenly perfume and the glass of brandy brought a sense of euphoria and she idly speculated on Hudson Grey and his life-style. This bathroom, for instance, was definitely feminine. It certainly wasn’t his bathroom, no sign of