Sweet Surrender (The Dysarts) by Catherine George

up. ‘Let’s go for a stroll round the garden before the light goes.’
    Kate slid her arms into the jacket he held for her, pleased that Alasdair was angry with her for having more than one man in her life. Or even other men besides him, maybe. Though why he should have expected otherwise after all this time was hard to imagine. It wasn’t like him to be so illogical, she thought with amusement, as they strolled past neatly trimmed lawns and beds full of spring flowers about to burst into colour.
    â€˜It’s a lovely afternoon,’ she said after a while, to break the brooding silence between them.
    â€˜I wish it wasn’t,’ he said morosely. ‘I hoped it would snow. I’d rather you slept in one of the spare rooms than drive back to Stavely late tonight.’
    â€˜It’s not going to be late,’ she informed him. ‘I’m leaving straight after dinner.’
    â€˜My point exactly. And tomorrow you’re leaving for Foychurch—and who knows when I’ll see you again?’
    Kate halted, eyeing him challengingly. ‘Alasdair, I just can’t get to grips with this new enthusiasm for my company. It’s years since I even thought about you much, and don’t tell me you’ve thought about me, either. If at all. Because I refuse to believe it.’
    He stared down at her sombrely for a moment, then shrugged. ‘All right. If you want the truth, it was only when I came back here that I started thinking of you again. Even before I caught up with Adam. Just being in the house here again brought back that Christmas when you invited me over to supper at Friars Wood. Because you were afraid I’d be lonely. I remembered what a sweet kid you were, and realised that I’d cared about you more than I knew. Suddenly I wanted to know how you were now, what had happened to you since I saw you last. Getting in touch with Adam wasn’t solely about furniture, Kate.’
    â€˜And Adam, it seems, gave you the impression that I’ve been eating my heart out for you all these years! That must have pleased your male ego, Alasdair.’
    â€˜It wasn’t like that,’ he said flatly, as they resumed their walk. ‘You know Adam’s always been protective about you.’
    Kate smiled wryly. ‘You don’t know the half of it. He was furious because I invited you over that Christmas. He was convinced you were some hunk lusting after my body.’
    Alasdair let out a crack of laughter. ‘Whereas I was about the only male in your vicinity who wasn’t!’
    â€˜Don’t rub it in! I knew that only too well.’ She sighed theatrically. ‘Sad, really, when I was so desperately in love with you.’
    â€˜Were you really, Kate?’ he said softly, and came to a halt to look down at her. ‘So what did I do to turn you against me?’
    â€˜Nothing, Alasdair. You did nothing at all.’ She said it so flatly sudden comprehension gleamed in his eyes.
    â€˜I see . You would have preferred me to lust after you like the rest?’
    Kate shook her head. ‘No way. I wanted you to be in love with me. Lust wasn’t something I knew much about at the time.’
    â€˜But you’ve learned since?’
    â€˜What do you expect? I’m a teacher, not a nun!’
    He laughed, and took her hand in his. ‘So if Adam objected to my presence, why was he so friendly when I turned up that Christmas?’
    â€˜Because you were older than either of us, and very obviously not lusting after me at all. He took one look and decided you were one of the good guys.’ Kate smiled at him. ‘But you worried my sisters no end.’
    He turned a surprised look on her. ‘How did I manage that?’
    â€˜By being immune to my youthful charms when I was so obviously bowled over by yours. They never discussed it with me, of course,’ she assured him. ‘But I knew they were worried. I think Leo