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She made a few notes. ‘Have you any preference regarding colour and style, Mr Major?’

‘Luke, please, I can’t stand formality.’

‘Very well—Luke. Am I to be given a free rein?’

‘I don’t like modern stuff,’ he said, ‘but then I’m sure you’d never dream of suggesting anything like that. It would look so out of place in this house. I wonder why it’s stood empty for so long?’

Taryn smiled. ‘Haven’t you heard? It’s reputed to be haunted
—
by the previous owner.’

‘How interesting.’ He seemed not in the least perturbed. ‘I’ve always wanted to meet a ghost.’

‘You wouldn’t be frightened?’ asked Taryn, wide-eyed.

‘Of course not. Ghosts can do no harm.’

‘Well, I don’t mind admitting that if I see one here I shall be off as quick as a shot, and I shan’t come back again.’

‘Then you’ve decided to take the job?’ he asked quickly.

‘Not yet. Shall we move on?’

‘Why, I do believe you’re scared. Surely you don’t believe all those old tales?’ He was openly laughing at her, but as they moved into the next room he pulled her hand through his arm. ‘You’re cold. Let’s hurry up and get finished so that we can go out into the warm sunshine.’

She was enchanted by the house and already had visions of what it might look like. Small bedrooms converted into bathrooms; woodwork stripped down to its natural colour. The whole house had a grace, a nobility, longing to be released. She could imagine it restored to its former elegant glory and felt an excitement in the challenge. It was different from any work she had ever done before, but she knew she could do it. Her eyes shone as she worked out colour schemes and she hurried from room to room, exclaiming over Adam fireplaces and baroque carvings.

At last they returned to the hall. ‘Well,’ said Luke, ‘need I ask whether you’ve changed your mind? One look at your face tells me that you’re entranced by the prospect, and on my part I know I’ll not be disappointed. Have you done much of this sort of work?’

Taryn’s heart dropped. ‘Why, no. But I thought you knew. I was a fabric designer. I can do it, though, really I can. I can see it all now. We’ll have a ’

He held up his hand. ‘Wait a moment! Don’t get carried away. It matters not in the least what you’ve done before. I know instinctively that you’ll make a good job of my house. I shall look forward to seeing the results of your labours.’

Taryn didn’t know whether to be pleased or not. She was delighted at the prospect of designing the decor for Dale End, but did she really want to work in such close proximity with a man who looked so like Mark? Over the last few months she had grown very bitter towards the man who had thrown her over for another woman. Would she be able to forget Mark and treat Luke as a separate individual? It was so easy to link the two together. Mark and Luke. Luke and Mark. It was unbelievable that two people should be so alike. Perhaps Gammy had guessed correctly and it was Mark suffering from amnesia. There was a subtle difference in his character, but wouldn’t an accident resulting in loss of memory cause such a change?

If only she could find out something about Luke’s background! So far he had not mentioned himself at all—whether he had a wife—and family—or why he had chosen to make Dale End his home. All she could do was wait until he volunteered some information. Wait and watch. She herself had known Mark so intimately that surely he would give himself away if he was the same man. But it would be strange working with Luke, wondering all the time whether she had once Iain in his arms, whether it was his kisses that had aroused her to the heights of passion—rand whether it was this same man who had subsequently broken her heart, resulting in bitter disillusionment and the wish never to see him again. It would be difficult to hold back her resentment.

‘You’re very quiet. Have you any doubts?'

‘I was wondering if it would work out. I might forget you’re not Mark and ’

‘I don’t think you need have any fears there,’ he broke in. ‘I shan’t be here all of the time. I’m sending someone over tomorrow and I want you to go over the plans with him; explain exactly what you have in mind. It won’t be too soon?’

Taryn shook her head. ‘I’ve already got a good idea of what wants doing, and I have the rest of the day to mull it over and get it down on paper.'

‘That’s settled, then.’ He touched her shoulder briefly and flashed one of his uneven smiles. His eyes in the dim light of the hall were unfathomable, deep and dark as a night sky, and Taryn turned away quickly. Memories were still too near the surface.

‘Now we’ve finished how about inviting me back for a cup of tea? I’m afraid facilities here are sadly lacking at the moment.’

Taryn shot him a startled glance. ‘You’ll find the cottage I share with my great-aunt rather cramped compared with this.’ Besides which she did not relish the idea of his accompanying her back through the village. There was already enough curiosity about the man who was buying Dale End without her being seen taking him home.

‘I’m not proud,’ he said. ‘I was brought up in a village myself. Some of my happiest memories belong there.’

‘In that case,’ she replied, ‘I’m sure Gammy won’t mind.’

He opened the door and stood back for her to pass. The sunshine outside seemed warm and safe and suddenly Taryn felt much happier. It was unfair of her to treat Luke Major in any other way than in the friendly manner he extended towards her. She smiled as they walked along the overgrown path. It was almost like her first meeting with Mark all over again. Only this time she must not fall in love!

As Taryn had anticipated. Gammy was delighted to meet the new owner of Dale End, and Luke in his turn further won her approval by declaring she looked too young to be Taryn’s great-aunt.

‘You flatter me, young man,' she said, ‘but I won’t pretend I don’t like it. Do take off your coat and make yourself at home. Taryn will keep you entertained while I make a pot of tea.'

But Taryn had just caught a horrified glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her normally sleek hair was windswept and bedraggled and there was a smut on her nose. Together with her torn clothing she looked a sorry sight. She went hot at the thought that she had spent the last two hours in Luke’s company looking like this. In fact she was surprised he had decided to give her the job, for she was nothing like the impression she had tried to create of a responsible young woman who knew exactly what she was doing.

‘I’m sorry,' she said quickly, trying to smooth her hair with a hasty dab of her hand, ‘but I must wash and change. I didn’t realise I ’

'That’s quite all right,' interposed Luke with a grin. ‘I’ll go and give Gammy my moral support. Take as long as you like.’

He hung his coat over the back of a chair and followed her aunt from the room. Taryn shrugged and climbed the narrow stairs which led up from the living room. It did not take long to wash off the tell-tale stains of her climb up to Dale End. Contemplating her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she was surprised to see a new glow to her face. In the months since her broken love affair she had felt—and looked— listless and tired. Her eyes had lacked their customary sparkle. But now, suddenly and without warning, it was back. She put up her hands to suddenly hot cheeks. Please don’t let me be taken in again, she prayed silently, and then scolded herself for being silly. Luke meant nothing to her. If anything she hated him for reminding her so much of Mark. It was the thought of the job, the new challenge, that had done this to her. It was nothing to do with the man for whom she would be working.

In her bedroom she studied the contents of the small wardrobe. She had half pulled out a dress before thrusting it back with a gesture of impatience. She could imagine Luke’s reaction and she certainly wasn’t going to give him the pleasure of thinking she had dressed just to please him. Finally she tugged on a pair of clean jeans and a check shirt, brushed her shoulder-length hair until it shone, and satisfied that she looked presentable, if not ladylike, went back downstairs.

Tea was made and Luke occupied one of the chintz-covered fireside chairs. Gammy presided over the teapot and Taryn was forced to take the other chair on the opposite side of the hearth. She pretended not to notice the way Luke eyed her up and down, though she knew exactly what he was thinking.

‘What have you been saying to your aunt?’ he asked. ‘She seems under the impression that I'm your Mark Vandyke suffering from amnesia.’

‘Gammy! ’ Taryn shot the older woman a scandalised glance.

‘It’s true,’ she protested, not looking in the least concerned. ‘You said yourself that you thought he was Mark. I’m just trying to find out the truth.’

‘Well, I can tell you both here and now,’ he said, ‘that I am not Mark Vandyke. My name is Luke Major—always has been and always will be. Now are you satisfied?’ His eyes held a gleam of suppressed laughter.

‘I have no alternative.’ returned Taryn, ‘but I can’t help feeling it strange that two men should look so completely alike.’ Disconcerting too, she thought, especially when seen in such close proximity.

‘Have you no brothers?’ asked Gammy as she handed Luke his tea. ‘Could it be that Taryn’s friend is related?’

‘Thank you.’ He took a sip of the steaming liquid before answering. ‘Sorry to disappoint you again,’ he drawled at last, 'I’m an only child. I don’t even boast a cousin.’

‘How strange,’ murmured Gammy, absently stirring her tea. ‘Of course, I’ve never met Mark, but Taryn was so sure.’

‘You both seem very disturbed that I’m not the man you think I am. He seems to have had a profound effect on your lives.’

‘You don't forget a man who’s broken your heart,’ returned Taryn hastily. ‘Now if you don’t mind changing the subject, I’m a little sick and tired of hearing about him.’

‘If you’d rather I went ’ he said, beginning to rise.

‘You'll do no such thing,’ protested Gammy. ‘I’m ashamed of you, Taryn! Where are your manners?’

'I’m sorry,’ she mumbled, avoiding Luke’s eyes. ‘I can’t help how I feel.’

Gammy spoke again. ‘I’ve a very nice piece of lamb for lunch, Mr Major, if you’d like to stay?’

‘How kind of you. I’d be delighted—provided your great-niece has no objection?’

‘Would it matter if I had?’ asked Taryn with some asperity. He had spoken lightly, but she felt suddenly disgruntled by the apparent ease with which he had made friends with Gammy. Couldn’t her aunt see that by encouraging him she was only making things worse for Taryn herself?

‘Taryn!’ exclaimed the older woman in shocked tones.

But Luke merely smiled, his eyes sardonically mocking her. ‘Not really, since the invitation came from your gracious aunt.’

‘In that case,’ she returned, ‘please be our guest.’ He passed back his empty cup. ‘There’s just one thing, Gammy—I may call you that?’

‘Please do,’ beaming her pleasure.

‘I must leave at two. I have important business this afternoon.’

‘Then I’ll go and see to it at once.’ She stacked the empty cups on the tray, her best rose china ones, observed Taryn, only brought out for special visitors, and disappeared into the adjoining kitchen.

‘I’ll come and help,’ volunteered Taryn, preparing to rise.

‘No need,’ called her aunt over her shoulder. ‘You stay and keep our visitor company. Show him the garden if you like.’

Taryn looked across at Luke, her fine brows, raised expressively. ‘It’s Gammy’s pride and joy, but I’m sure you won’t be interested.’

‘On the contrary, I’d be delighted. I miss a garden, living in a flat. I remember when I was a boy my mother gave me my own little patch. I was so proud of the first flowers I grew. I don’t think anything compares with the first time you do something, whether it's the first flowers you’ve grown; the first time you’re allowed out alone; your first kiss; the first time you fall in love.’

He watched closely for her reaction. Taryn felt sure he was trying to find out more about her affair with Mark. Why else would he reminisce like this? Men weren’t usually so nostalgic.

She smiled briefly and pushed herself up from the chair. If he thought she was going to make any comment he would be disappointed.

Outside she felt easier. In the tiny room his presence had been overpowering, but now she breathed in the warm June air and relaxed. ‘There’s not much to see.’ She sounded apologetic as he followed her along the narrow path between two strips of smooth green lawn.

But the profusion of colour here was a pleasure to the most unappreciative eye. It was a typical cottage garden—flowers of every sort vying with each other for attention. They passed between clumps of hollyhocks, where the bees were busy at work; giant sunflowers nodded their heads in greeting; the humble marigold encroached across the path defying to be overlooked; lupins, delphiniums, pyrethrums, all mingled happily together. Occasionally Luke would stop and bend his head to appreciate the particular scent of one flower.

If she had not been sure before Taryn could be now that this man was not Mark. She could never imagine Mark actually enjoying the sounds and smells of a country garden. His work was his life and nothing had ever been allowed to interrupt it—until the coming of Maria! The only flowers in which he was interested were orchids or other exotic blooms with which to enhance his creations.

She had not realised she was staring until Luke spoke. ‘Is something the matter? You’re looking at me very strangely. Don’t say you’re still comparing me with Mark?’

He was so near to the truth that Taryn flushed, but she was spared the humility of answering by a tiny voice calling from behind the fuchsia hedge.

‘Aunty Taryn, Aunty Taryn! Guess what we did at school! I ' Rory stopped when he saw she was not alone. He looked questioningly at Luke before breaking out into a grin. ‘You’re the helicopter man! ’ and then accusingly to Taryn, ‘You didn’t tell me you knew him. Why did you say I couldn’t go for a ride?’

Feeling Luke's swift glance in her direction, Taryn spoke softly to the boy. ‘Because I know what’s best for you. Mr Major hasn’t time to take little boys for joy-rides.’