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place where his hand touched as if trying to erase the warm sensation caused by the contact. She didn’t know whether she liked him or not, but physically she would never be indifferent to him, and she saw danger where before there had seemed to be none. There was an undercurrent between them which couldn’t be explained, and which she certainly couldn’t deny. Perhaps she was just being oversensitive, letting her imagination run away with her, but it served as a warning.
    ‘Tomorrow,’ she said, ‘I’ve got to find out whether my brother and sister-in-law have been in touch with anyone. I must let them know I’m safe. We were all taking part in a yacht race, but I was swept overboard in the storm.’
    ‘I know,’ said Sam. ‘I’ve been making enquiries for you.'
    'Oh!’ Her eyes were anxious. ‘Please tell me what you found out.’
    ‘Very little, I’m afraid. The authorities in Bermuda lost radio contact with most of the yachts owing to weather conditions, but they’re gradually being accounted for. I’ve asked for any new information to be phoned through to me.’
    ‘Thank you. But how did you know anything about me when I couldn’t even tell you my name?’
    He gathered the soup bowls together and stood up.
    ‘It wasn’t too difficult,’ he said. ‘I’m interested in ocean racing and the Westerly Cup always attracts a lot of entries. I’ve been following it, so I knew some of the yachts would be in the vicinity if the gale blew them off course. Then you very sensibly had a lifebelt from the boat round you, which spoke for itself’
    He went back to the kitchen and she felt as if she had been put in her place. He obviously thought she was a bit of an idiot.
    The main meal consisted of smoked sausage and pork cooked with peas and tomatoes, which he told her was a favourite Azorean dish. She was getting tired again and much as she had fancied solid food she found herself unable to cope with so much. Afraid of offending him, she ate what she could, but had to give up after a few mouthfuls.
    ‘You don’t have to eat it, Sparrow,’ he said kindly. ‘It’s probably all wrong for an invalid anyway.’
    ‘It tastes so good and I hate to leave it. Normally I’d scoff the lot.’
    He smiled. ‘Don’t worry, Benita will take what’s left tomorrow for that no-good nephew of hers.’
    ‘Do you mean Vasco?’ she asked in surprise.
    ‘I do mean Vasco. How come you know him?’ Sam was scowling now, peering at her from beneath lowered brows.
    ‘He carried me from Dr Porva’s house to the taxi. Benita told me who he was.’
    ‘Hmmm,’ he growled. ‘Just see he doesn’t get as close to you again.’
    ‘He’s not likely to when I’m leaving first thing in the morning,’ said Minella.
    She objected to him giving her orders, and closed her eyes, hoping that was the end of the matter because she hadn’t strength to argue with him. Seeing her fatigue, he came round and opened the sun-bed.
    ‘Lie down,’ he commanded.
    That did it. ‘Don’t speak to me as if I’m a pet dog!’ she shouted. ‘I know I’m a nuisance, but I didn’t ask to come here!’
    Sam paused a moment, taken aback by her retaliation. Then he came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. ‘I ought to have forbidden you to leave that bed. If Henrique knew you were up and dressed he’d slay me, but I feel as if I’m up against a wild thing. Whatever I say you let fly at me. Are you as wilful as this at home?’
    Minella didn’t answer. He was massaging her shoulders and the gentle pressure of his thumbs at the nape of her neck sent exquisite waves of pleasure through her body, making her incapable of uttering any sound except a slow, gasping breath. She arched her back and stretched her neck luxuriously, then shrugged him away, because such sensuality was too potent by far and the language of his hands frightened her.
    ‘I’m on edge,’ she said. ‘I can’t seem to cope with someone like you right now.