‘Where are you going?’ ‘Back to my room before Sofia finds I’m missing.’ He pushed the tousled curls back from his face and kissed her at such length they were both breathless when he let her go. ‘Come back to bed,’ he whispered, but Eleanor found the strength from somewhere to shake her head. ‘The bed will be dry by now in my room.’ She smiled ruefully. ‘Humour me. I want to make it up with fresh linen before Sofia arrives.’ Alex laughed indulgently. ‘If you must, you must, Eleanor Markham.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘But Sofia will not be here for half an hour yet.’ ‘In that case, we can sort your bed out before I go.’ And, no matter how much he laughed, Eleanor insisted on restoring Alex’s bed to some semblance of order, demanding his help to plump up pillows and turn down the covers. ‘Good,’ she said with satisfaction afterwards and made for the door. ‘Now I can do mine.’ ‘Shall I come and help?’ She shook her head, smiling. ‘Think how shocked Sofia would be.’ Alex ruffled her hair.
