obviously appealed to Seton.’ Rupert scowled. ‘He took one look and kept sniffing round you all night. I would have done something about it, but he’s quite attractive, I suppose. You might have wanted it that way.’
‘I told you she wouldn’t,’ said Sarah with scorn. ‘Guy Seton’s bad news where women are concerned.’
‘Another heartbreaker, like Adam Hawkridge?’ asked Lowri slyly.
‘Adam would never be so crass as to assault anyone,’ said Sarah indignantly. ‘Guy was in school with Adam, I admit, but otherwise he’s not in the same class.’
‘Beats me what he was doing here at all.’ Rupert’s jaw set. ‘I’ll have a word with Adam, find out why the devil he brought the chap along in the first place.’
‘Caroline’s idea, probably—Adam seems fairly smitten in that direction from what I could see,’ said Sarah, and pushed a toast-rack towards Lowri. ‘Eat something.’
‘I’m not hungry.’
‘Possibly not, but if you drink any more black coffee on an empty stomach you’ll rattle like a castanet.’
Lowri gave in, and felt a little better afterwards, though angry with a fate which gave her a black eye for her lunch date with Adam Hawkridge. Any other time she’d have been on Cloud Nine at the mere thought of it. Even if he was smitten with Caroline.
‘Go and change your clothes, slap on some lipstick,’ advised Sarah, reading her mind. ‘You’ll soon feel more enthusiastic.’
Duly attired in a newish pair of cream denims, long pink cable sweater and dark glasses Lowri both looked and felt a great deal better by the time Adam arrived. She opened the office door to his knock, her smile wobbling slightly at the sudden, vivid memory of his kisses the night before.
‘Hello, Lowri,’ he said, smiling, and took her hand. ‘I’ve rather press-ganged you into this, I’m afraid, but I wanted time alone with you to explain the drama last night.’
‘It’s very kind of you to take the trouble,’ she said sedately, and took her time in locking the door to the flat.
‘I’ve had a swift word with Sarah and Rupert to put them in the picture.’ He ran down the stairs in front of her then turned at the bottom to hold out a steadying hand. ‘Not unnaturally, Rupert feels responsible for you. He came down on me like a ton of bricks about my part in the affair.’
‘But I told him you came to my rescue,’ Lowri assured him as they left the garden by the side door.
‘Rupert pointed out that if I hadn’t brought Guy Seton no rescue would have been necessary. And he’s right.’ Adam’s wide mouth twisted in disgust, then he smiled at her. ‘Let’s say goodbye then make for the open spaces. I’ve brought a picnic.’
Lowri gave him a delighted smile. ‘What a brilliant idea!’
Adam suggested Runnymede, and a quiet spot near the river for their picnic lunch.
‘The “banks of the sweetest river in the world” according to John Evelyn,’ he told her later. He spread a rug for her, then opened a picnic basket to serve her with smoked trout pâté, cold chicken savoury with rosemary and garlic, a small bowl of green salad and crusty fresh rolls to eat with fierce farmhouse cheese.
‘How did you manage all this on a Sunday morning?’ asked Lowri, impressed. ‘I bet King John didn’t do nearly as well the day he signed the Magna Carta here.’
Adam’s eyes danced beneath the heavy, straight eyebrows. ‘My mother saw to it. I told her I needed to feed a very charming young lady from Wales. When she’d expressed her surprised approval—my usual female company tends more to smart nightspots than riverside picnics—she gave me some of the goodies intended for my father’s lunch. Don’t worry,’ he added, as she gave him a startled look. ‘There was more than enough left over—for them and several others. My mother’s catering is generous.’
‘Please thank her warmly on my behalf, and tell her how much it was appreciated,’ said Lowri, surprised to find her appetite alive and well after all. ‘This is lovely. All of it,’ she added.
Adam leaned forward and gently removed the sunglasses, his eyes hot with sudden anger as he examined her eye. ‘Exactly how did that happen?’ he asked harshly, giving her back the glasses. ‘If the swine hit you I’ll go back and break his jaw this time.’
Lowri hastily explained her accidental contact with Guy Seton’s elbow. ‘He was obviously high on something. Wouldn’t take no. Heaven knows why—I never gave him the slightest encouragement,’ she added irritably.
Adam looked grim. ‘He didn’t need any. The girl he lives with gave him the push yesterday. She delivered an ultimatum. He was to see sense about his cocaine habit or she was leaving. Seton objected. She could take him with all faults or not at all, since, I quote, he could pull any woman he wanted any time, and would prove it.’ Adam’s jaw tightened. ‘He stormed round in a state to Caroline, who’s always adored him. She was terrified to leave him on his own, and, knowing I’d refuse if she told me why, she insisted we take him with us to the party. You were the obvious choice for Seton to make good his boast. I’m sorry. I should never have let the bastard anywhere near you, Lowri.’
‘It wasn’t your fault,’ she assured him, and smiled. ‘Now let’s forget about Guy and just enjoy the sunshine. We don’t get enough to waste it, and tomorrow I’ll be back at my desk. Not that I mind,’ she added happily, ‘I can’t wait to find out what happens next in Rupert’s novel. We’re approaching the climax of the story.’
‘He’s a master of his craft, I agree.’ Adam smiled. ‘And damn lucky to find someone willing to work so hard for him.’
Lowri shook her head. ‘The luck’s all mine. When I left home I never dreamed I’d find something so interesting to do, especially with a flat thrown in. I owe such a lot to Sarah and Rupert.’
He eyed her curiously. ‘Why were you in such a hurry to leave this home of yours?’
Lowri looked away. ‘Dad and I have been closer than most, but now he’s got Holly it’s only fair to leave him to his new life without me in the way. Especially now Holly’s pregnant.’
‘Ah. Do you mind that?’
‘No—at least not now. It was a bit of a shock at first. Though I should have expected it; pretty obvious really from the way—’ She stopped, flushing.
‘I take it your father’s very much in love with his new wife,’ said Adam quietly.
‘Exactly. And she with him.’ Lowri turned away to investigate an insulated jug. ‘Mmm, wonderful—coffee. Want some?’
They fell silent as they drank the dark, fragrant brew provided by Mrs Hawkridge. After a while Adam leaned over and took her hand.
‘Never mind, Lowri. One day you’ll marry and have a baby of your own, and no more regrets about your new little stepbrother—or sister.’
She withdrew her hand swiftly. ‘My regrets were very short-lived, Adam.’
‘Sorry.’ He lay flat on his back, hands linked behind
