One Summer At The Castle. Jules Bennett
that he’d made a bloody fool of himself and created an awkward situation for himself into the bargain?
‘Look,’ he said, tight-lipped, ‘let’s agree that we’ve both made some mistakes here. I shouldn’t have grabbed you, I admit it. But you shouldn’t have made me so mad that I forgot what I was doing.’
Rosa wanted to argue that she hadn’t been the one who’d brought her here, that if he’d been honest right from the beginning none of this would have happened. But a reluctant awareness that she hadn’t exactly put up much of a fight kept her silent, and when she finally spoke it was to say, ‘Would it be all right if I used your phone, then?’
Liam knew a most inappropriate desire to laugh. Her words were so unexpected, so prosaic, as if all they’d been doing for the past half-hour was discussing the weather. But he had the sense to realise that humour would definitely not go down very well at this moment, and with a careless lift of his shoulders he said, ‘Why not?’
‘Thanks.’ Rosa hoped she sounded sincere. ‘I just want to ring my mother again.’
Liam arched dark brows. ‘And tell her your sister’s not here?’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay.’ He nodded towards the desk where the phone was situated. ‘Be my guest.’
Rosa hesitated for a moment, feeling awkward now. ‘Um—perhaps I could ring for a taxi at the same time?’ she ventured. ‘What was it you called that man?’
‘McAllister?’
Rosa nodded.
‘No need.’ Liam started for the door, trying to hide the fact that his leg was protesting at the sudden activity. ‘Sam’s driving over to the village later this morning. You can go with him.’
Rosa wasn’t sure she wanted that. Sam Devlin hadn’t exactly welcomed her here. ‘If it’s just the same to you, I’ll call McAllister,’ she murmured, wishing she didn’t have to ask. ‘I don’t want to put anyone out.’
Liam paused now, half turning to face her, his brows drawing together above those piercing green eyes. ‘What’s Sam been saying to you?’
‘Oh—nothing.’ And it was true. ‘I’d just—prefer to make my own arrangements.’
Liam regarded her broodingly. ‘So you don’t want any advice on where to stay?’
‘Well—yes.’ Rosa hadn’t thought of that. ‘That would be useful.’
‘Okay.’ Liam reached for the door. ‘I’ll have Sam give you an address.’ He pulled the door open, trying not to drag his foot as he moved into the aperture. ‘Take your time. There’s no hurry.’
‘Oh, but—’
‘Yes?’
His response was clipped, and Rosa, who had been about to ask if he’d injured his leg, changed her mind. ‘You—haven’t given me Mr McAllister’s number,’ she said, with sudden inspiration, and Liam frowned.
‘I can’t remember it off-hand. I’ll have Sam give you that, too. After you’ve rung your mother.’
And wasn’t Sam going to wonder why she’d refused to drive back to the village with him? But, ‘Okay,’ she said weakly. ‘Thanks.’
‘No problem.’ Liam was eager now to put this unfortunate interlude behind him. ‘Have a good trip back.’
‘Oh—’ Once again, Rosa detained him. ‘I mean—I will see you again before I leave?’
It had been an inane question, bearing in mind that he’d just wished her a good trip, but, conversely, now that the time had come, Rosa was curiously loath to leave him.
Liam sighed, leaning heavily on the door for support. ‘You’re not going to tell me you’ll be sorry to go, are you?’ he asked flatly. ‘Because, quite frankly, I’d find that hard to believe.’
Rosa met his mocking gaze defensively. Then, to her dismay, she found herself saying, ‘I suppose you’ll be glad to see the back of me?’
Liam took an audible gulp of air. How was he supposed to answer that?
‘Pretty much,’ he admitted at last. Then, seeing her expression, he added, ‘You’re too much of a distraction.’
‘Oh, right.’ She gave him a scornful look. ‘What you mean is, I’ve wasted too much of your time already.’
Liam shrugged. ‘I didn’t say that.’
‘You didn’t have to.’ Rosa turned towards the desk. Then, picking up the receiver, she said, ‘I hope your leg’s better soon.’
Liam blinked, but she wasn’t looking at him now. And, although he was tempted to ask her what she knew about his injuries, he kept his mouth shut.
The door closed behind him and Rosa breathed a sigh of relief. The sooner she left here, the better. Despite what she’d thought before, he was dangerous to her peace of mind.
Her mother answered on the second ring, and when she did Rosa was instantly aware of the anticipation in her voice.
‘Sophie?’ Mrs Chantry said eagerly. ‘Oh, darling, I hoped you’d ring back.’
Back?
Rosa was stunned. ‘You mean you’ve heard from her?’
There was a moment’s silence. ‘Rosa? Rosa, is that you?’
‘Who else?’ Rosa could hear the edge in her voice but she couldn’t help it. ‘What’s going on, Mum? I gather you’ve heard from Sophie?’
‘Well, yes.’ Her mother sighed. ‘She rang yesterday evening.’ She made a sound of excitement. ‘You can’t imagine how relieved I was.’
Rosa could. Sophie could do anything and their mother would forgive her. Even if, as in this case, she’d been telling a pack of lies.
‘So where is she?’ Rosa asked, forcing herself to be patient. ‘Did she tell you that?’
‘Of course.’ Mrs Chantry sounded indignant now. ‘She’s in Scotland, as she said.’ She paused, and then went on breathlessly, ‘She’s having a wonderful time. Everyone’s been so kind to her, and there’s every chance she’ll get a part in the production. Isn’t that amazing?’
‘Unbelievable, certainly,’ said Rosa drily, wondering if her mother was pathologically foolish where Sophie was concerned. For heaven’s sake, who was going to employ a starstruck teenager with a very minimal acting talent?
‘I might have known you’d say something like that, Rosa.’ Mrs Chantry sounded irritable now. ‘Just because Sophie isn’t on the island, as you expected, you’re taking your frustration out on me. Well, Scotland’s a big country. It’s natural that a production like this would need a less confined location.’
‘It wasn’t my idea to come to the island,’ Rosa pointed out, aware that she sounded peeved. ‘It was your idea, not mine.’ She paused. ‘Did you tell her where I was?’
‘Not exactly.’
‘You mean you didn’t.’ Rosa gritted her teeth. ‘So where is she?’
‘I’ve just told you. She’s in Scotland,’ said her mother testily.
‘Where in Scotland?’
‘Ah…’ There was a pregnant pause. ‘Well, I’m not precisely sure.’
‘But you said you’d heard from her.’
‘I have. I did.’ Mrs Chantry sighed. ‘But you know what Sophie’s like, Rosa. She was so busy telling me all the exciting things that have happened to her that she forgot about giving me her address.’
‘I’ll