She found the sensation of his teeth pressing against her skin hugely erotic. ‘I’m not sure that I do, Dr Max.’
He now kissed her finger. ‘Don’t be disingenuous, my darling. I’m displaying all the classic signs of a jealous lover, so please do me the courtesy of not compounding my shameful agony.’
The admission sent a spark of pleasure running through her. ‘Why should you be ashamed of your jealousy?’
‘Because it’s not something I’ve experienced in a long time.’
She smiled. ‘Well, we’ll have to do something about that, won’t we?’
‘Such as?’
‘You must come to Suffolk and spend Christmas there with me.’
He looked doubtful. ‘You wouldn’t rather stay here in London and let me spoil you?’
She shook her head. ‘I haven’t ever missed Christmas at home. It’s a tradition. Come with me,’ she added, her mind running over the pros and cons. Romily wouldn’t mind one more guest, surely? But how would the rest of the family greet Max, him being so much older than she was? And what would Evelyn think? There was also Hope’s condition to consider. Would it be inappropriate to bring a stranger into the family at such a time? But then Max wasn’t a total stranger, was he? Not from what he’d told her about knowing Romily and Evelyn from before and during the war.
‘Won’t that be a break in tradition, having somebody with you?’ he asked, while her mind was racing on ahead.
‘It had to happen some time,’ she said, ‘it might just as well be now. And with you.’
‘In that case, we ought to telephone Romily and make sure it’s convenient for her to have an extra guest.’
But each time they tried ringing, there was no reply; the line was permanently engaged. ‘I don’t feel comfortable showing up without warning Romily,’ he said.
‘Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. Nothing ever fazes Romily.’
Isabella shivered and pulled her mink coat around her. The heater wasn’t working in their compartment on the train, which explained why it was as cold as an iceberg and why they were the only ones occupying it. They had tried looking for two seats together in the other compartments, but despite catching an earlier train than planned in the hope they might avoid the worst of the crush of people going home for Christmas, there were none to be had. At least she had Max to help keep her warm.
‘I’m intrigued,’ he said, ‘am I the first man you’ve taken home to meet your family?’
‘Yes,’ she said, trying to suppress a cough. Since leaving the cosy warmth of the flat, her chest had felt like hot daggers were being systematically pushed into it. Maybe Max had been right to say that she wasn’t well enough to travel yet. But it was too late now to regret leaving London. Too late also to worry about the reception they might be given on arriving at Island House.
‘I’m honoured,’ he said.
‘So you should be.’
‘Does that mean I’m special to you?’
She nestled in closer to him, both for warmth and because she loved being wrapped in his arms. He made her feel cherished. And safe. No man other than Elijah had been able to do that. ‘Max,’ she said, ‘what is it you’re really trying to ask me?’
For a moment he didn’t speak. Leaning forward slightly, he used his gloved hand to wipe thesteamed-up window. Through theporthole-sized space he’d cleared, Isabella watched the snow falling on the already white landscape. It all looked so unreal and impossibly beautiful. She felt as though she were travelling through a land ofmake-believe, a wondrous and magical fairytale.
At last Max turned his gaze back to her. ‘I know I’m much older than you,’ he said, ‘and we’ve known one another for so little time, but I want you to know that I’m serious about you.’
She returned his gaze. ‘You’ve told me that before. And for the record, I like the fact that you’re so much older than me.’ It was true. Any reservations she’d initially held about thetwenty-six-year gap between them had long since disappeared.
He smiled. ‘Hey, you don’t have to emphasise it quite that much, you know.’
‘You were the one who brought up the age difference, not me. And I assume you’re no stranger to dating younger women, so why let it trouble you now?’
‘For the simple reason this is different. Being withyouis different. I’ve never felt the way I do when I’m with you. Or when I’m not with you. You ... you’ve done something to me that no other woman has.’
‘What’s that?’ she murmured.
‘You’ve made me question myself, and the way I’ve lived my life.’
‘How have I done that?’
