page5 (1/2)

Instead he opened the discreet doors that led into the front of the house ‘Let’s go to the library’ It wasn’t cowardice that had made him reconsider It was common sense His mouth quirked at the corner ‘As you can probably tell, the house hasn’t received thein ten years and it takes several months for the chill to dissipate The library is the warmest room in the whole place—probably because it’s completely non-modernised The velvet drapes may be dusty and dark but they keep the cold out’

Daisy adjusted her hat again, her hands still nervous ‘Fine’

He pushed the heavy wooden door open, standing aside to let her go in first ‘So, this is quite a surprise’

She flushed, the colour high on her cheekbones ‘A nice one, I hope’ But she didn’ton, so way beyond a desire for his company

Daisy walked into the oak-panelled rooainst the door for a h her eyes; did she find it shabby? Inti floor-to-ceiling bookshelves covered two of the walls; the dark oak panelling was hung with gloo scenes Even the fireplace was large enough to roast at least half an ox, the irate flanked by a massive marble lintel All that the library needed was an irascible old -back chairs and Little Lord Fauntleroy to co in

She wandered over to one of the shelves and pulled out a book, dust flying into the air ‘Good to see the owner’s a keen reader’

‘Most of the English books have been read That’s the Latin section’

She tilted her chin ‘Latin or not, they still need dusting’

‘I’ll get the footestured to a chair ‘Would you like a drink?’

‘Will a foot it?’

‘No’ He allowed hi way from here to the kitchen’

‘Practical Tea, please Do you have Earl Grey?’

‘Lemon or milk?’

Seating herself gingerly in one of the velvet chairs, the dusty book still in her hand, she raised an elegantly arched eyebrow ‘Lemon? How civilised Could I just have hot water and lemon, please?’