A Forbidden Temptation

And he didn’t know whether to be glad or sorry.

He knew he wouldn’t have objected to seeing Grace again, but it was probably just as well to cool that thought. In any case, he’d spent a goodly portion of both days on his boat, so it was possible he’d missed any visitors. Although knowing Sean, he doubted his temporary absence would have deterred him.

It poured with rain Monday and Tuesday and even Wednesday morning was overcast.

His housekeeper had phoned to say she wouldn’t be in that morning. And, unusually, Jack was feeling housebound. With the redecoration complete, and no other restoration project in prospect, he was restless.

Emptying the remains of his coffee into the sink, he left the kitchen and headed upstairs to his bedroom. He’d take the car for a drive, he decided firmly. He felt like driving and there was nothing to keep him here.

‘Are you going out?’

Jack was zipping up a pair of khaki pants when Lisa’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

He turned to find her slim form balanced on the edge of the windowsill. And he thought how typical it was that she hadn’t appeared for over a week, but now that he was planning on going out, she had to interfere.

‘Yeah, why not?’ He turned to pick up his leather jacket off the bed. ‘I’ve got nothing better to do.’

Lisa sniffed. ‘You could get a job.’ She paused, pressing a scarlet-tipped nail to her lips. ‘You have too much spare time on your hands.’

‘And that’s my fault, is it?’

Lisa’s lips pursed thoughtfully. ‘You’re going to see that girl, aren’t you?’

Jack’s jaw dropped. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Don’t pretend you don’t know who I’m talking about.’

Lisa slipped down off the windowsill and limped on her one high heel across the earth-toned carpet. ‘Even so, I doubt if Father Michael would approve.’

Jack’s lips twitched with humour now. Father Michael had been the priest who’d married them. He’d also officiated at Lisa’s funeral, but he doubted she was referring to that.

‘I think Father Michael gave up on me a good time ago,’ he remarked at last. ‘And I’m sure he’d be the first to suggest I should move on with my life.’

Lisa looked doubtful. ‘She’s very attractive, I suppose.’

Jack shook his head. ‘Do I have to remind you she already has a boyfriend?’

‘You mean Sean Nesbitt?’

‘That’s right. Sean Nesbitt. He’s a mate. I’m not about to forget that, am I?’

Lisa pulled a face. ‘Really?’

‘Hey, I don’t tell lies,’ retorted Jack, slotting his wallet and his mobile phone into his jacket pockets. ‘Which reminds me, you never did tell me where you were going the night you had the accident.’

He didn’t get an answer and he didn’t really expect one. It was a question he’d asked many times before. He knew, without even looking again, that Lisa was gone.

The Lexus was still standing on the drive and, dodging the rain, Jack got behind the wheel and started the powerful engine. Then, shoving a CD into the player, he backed the vehicle out onto the road.

So far he’d only seen a small part of the area. Cumbria and the Lake District were only a couple of hours’ drive west but, without much hesitation, Jack headed for the A1.

As he drove Jack wondered if he’d intended to visit Alnwick all along or whether Lisa’s taunts had piqued his interest. Either way, he refused to concede that he had any anticipation of seeing Grace again.

He was lucky enough to get parked in the town centre.

Despite the lowering clouds, there were plenty of people about, and Jack bought a map of the area before retiring to the nearest coffee shop to study it.

‘Looking for somewhere in particular?’

The pretty waitress who’d served him his coffee was standing at his shoulder and Jack looked up at her ruefully, wishing he had an answer for that.

‘Not specially,’ he replied non-committally. ‘I’ve never been to Alnwick before.’

‘Oh, you’re a tourist!’ The girl evidently thought she had him taped. ‘You’re from Ireland, aren’t you?’ She smiled flirtatiously. ‘I love your accent.’

‘Thanks.’ Jack grinned, amused in spite of himself. ‘Do you live in Alnwick?’

‘Just outside.’ She pulled a face. ‘It’s too expensive to live in town.’

‘It is?’

‘Oh, God, yes.’ She glanced over her shoulder to make sure the proprietor of the café hadn’t noticed she was wasting time. ‘It’s just as well you’re not looking for a house.’ She dimpled. ‘Unless you’re a secret millionaire, of course.’

Jack looked down at the map again, not wanting to give her any ideas. Besides, he reminded himself, he hadn’t come here looking for property.

Or estate agents, if it came to that.

‘Are you staying in town?’

The girl was persistent and Jack decided he had to nip this in the bud.

‘No,’ he said neutrally, swallowing the last of his coffee and pulling out his wallet. ‘I’m heading north to—’ He cast a quick glance at the map. ‘To Bamburgh.’ He got to his feet. ‘I believe there’s a castle there, too.’

‘Are you interested in castles?’

When Jack started for the counter to pay his bill, she accompanied him, apparently indifferent to the customers still waiting to be served.

Avoiding a direct answer, he said, ‘Thanks for your advice.’ He accepted his change with an apologetic smile for the cashier, hoping he could get out of the café without offending the waitress hovering behind him.

But to his dismay, she followed him to the door.

‘If you need someone to show you around, I’ll be finished in an hour,’ she offered eagerly. And Jack was just about to break his own rules and blow her off when the door opened and another young woman came in.

‘Jack!’

‘Grace.’

Jack managed to keep his reaction under control. But he was fairly sure that Grace had immediately regretted the way his name had sprung so effortlessly to her lips.