Page 24 (1/2)

'I shall be sorry to see you go,' Marie said gently 'But you alow, if that's what you want We'llon a cruise when Dad co to India, of course'

Mrs Abbot looked at her, s wryly 'You can never be sure of the future, can you? Out of a clear blue sky so falls to pieces'

'I'm sorry,' Marie said shyly 'I'

m very sorry'

When Mrs Abbot had gone she lay on the carpet, gazing at the full-colour pictures of Jedhpur; white-cappedbetween marshlands rich with birds and animals

The doorbell rang, startling her, and she glanced at her watch It couldn't be Clare back already? Or had Mrs Abbot forgotten her key?

When she opened the door she stared in disbelief 'Stonor! What are you doing here?'

The dark eyes were uns on the door-fraht

'I cah,' he drawled

'Oh' For a moment Marie could only stare at hiain'

'Obviously' His voice was irritated 'Aren't you going to ask me in?'

She glanced helplessly back into the sitting-room, lit­tered with open books 'I suppose so…' She stood back

'Such eagerness is very flattering,' he drawled, lance

'You took me by surprise I'' Hurriedly, with flushed cheeks, she began to pick up the books, wishing she had known he was co dusty pink denims and a short-sleeved white blouse if she had had any idea she would be seeing hirily aware of her disordered hair, the fact that she was barely wearing anyof powder and the palest pink se of lipstick

He bent to pick up one of the books and glanced at it with raised brows 'Don't tellthe romantic dream?'