Giselle didn’t need to hear it. She already knew what she had to do.
Giselle glanced behind to make sure they were alone, then she drew Rocco to a halt. They were strolling hand in hand along the path leading to the village and were heading for The Codfather and a fish supper. It had been Giselle’s suggestion when Rocco had let slip that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
‘You’ve got to keep your strength up for later,’ she’d told him.
‘What’s going to happen later?’
‘You’re going to take me to bed and ravish me.’
‘I am, am I? What if I’m the one who wants to be ravished?’ he’d teased.
‘I’m sure we can come to some arrangement, but you need food, and I bet you don’t want to eat in the dining room.’
He shuddered. ‘With Claire and Kurt? No thanks! And I wouldn’t want to subject you to that, either.’
‘Who says I’d be joining you for dinner?’
‘You’ll have no choice, since I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again.’
‘Not even when you’re asleep?’
‘You know what I mean. Come to London with me tomorrow,’ he pleaded.
She kissed him to stop him talking, but that could only work for so long because she had to come up for air. ‘I can’t; my sister, remember? Plus, I’ve got obligations here.’
‘I absolve you of them.’
‘I want to sell as much as possible while I still can, and summer is when the craft centre is at its busiest.’
His face fell. ‘Does that mean you intend to stay in Duncoorie until the castle is sold? That could take months. And what if whoever buys it decides to keep the craft centre open? Will you stay, or come live with me?’ He looked so worried that her heart went out to him.
‘I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth,’ she vowed. ‘But not tomorrow.’
‘When?’
They started walking again, Giselle ignoring the scenery for once. All her attention was on Rocco. ‘Soon,’ she promised. ‘I can’t just up sticks and leave. There’s such a lot to sort out: all my stock, what I’m going to do about the bothy…’
‘We could use it as a holiday home,’ Rocco suggested.
‘Hmm, I think I’d be better off selling it. I can’t afford to keep it going and not live in it.’
Rocco halted, turning to face her.
‘At this rate, we won’t get to The Codfather before it closes,’ she warned.
‘You won’t have to worry about money.’ Rocco took her in his arms.
Giselle was shaking her head. ‘I’m paying my way; otherwise, I’m stayinghere,’ she replied firmly.
‘You’re stubborn, do you know that?’ He kissed the tip of her nose. Then her mouth.
‘Talking of the bothy, do you have to go back this evening?’ he asked as they set off again.
Giselle smiled. She’d messaged Izzy earlier to let her know what was happening. ‘My sister will be fine on her own for one night.’
‘I’d like to meet her properly. Not when she’s being all fierce and protective.’
‘You will, I promise. Not tonight, though. Tonight is all about me and you.’
