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It was a new experience—one she would treasure when they got back home and everything returned to normal.
    She took a sip of her wine and smiled shyly at him. ‘You’re very kind.’
    ‘It is no more than the truth.’
    ‘I enjoy the job.’
    ‘And are you also enjoying the conference?’
    Kara nodded. ‘I’ve never attended anything like this before, and I have to confess I was a little nervous, but, yes, I am enjoying myself.’ Except when he paid her too much attention!
    ‘Every man here envies me. And why not, when you are a very beautiful woman?’
    This time colour really did flood her cheeks. ‘It’s very kind of you to say so.’
    In response he simply gave her a smile that caused a further skittering of her senses.
    The waiter returned with their food and Kara was glad of the respite. It gave her time to take a few deep breaths and tell herself she was in control. That having a man flatter her like this should be a joyful experience, not scary.
    And somehow it worked. Gradually she began torelax and enjoy the evening. She drank more wine than usual, unaware that her eyes were brighter and her cheeks flushed with happiness. They talked incessantly, and Kara laughed out loud at some of his anecdotes.
    It was not until the end of the meal, when he passed her an envelope and then watched her face closely as she opened it, that she was suddenly stuck for words. Inside were tickets for
Faust
the following night. Kara blinked twice and swallowed a sudden lump in her throat.
    ‘Think of it as a thank-you from me to you for all the hard work you’ve put in,’ he said, watching the changing expressions on her face.
    ‘I—I don’t know what to say. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t think that you would be able to—’
    ‘But you are pleased?’ He looked suddenly anxious, not something he usually did. ‘And hopefully a little excited?’
    ‘Yes, but—’
    ‘But nothing, Kara,’ he said, his voice firm now. ‘All I want is for you to enjoy it.’
    Privately Kara doubted whether she would remember anything of the opera. Sitting here talking to him when the room was filled with other people was one thing, but going to the theatre, seated so close that their bodies would touch, when there would be no escape, was another.
    She would be far too aware of Blake, of the emotions he was amazingly managing to arouse in her. Alien feelings that sometimes made her feel happy and at others scared her witless.
    Admittedly she was beginning to feel more at ease with him. He had never done or said anything to alarmher; he was in fact always the perfect gentleman. So perhaps she was worrying for nothing. It was just that she was not used to being treated so kindly. To have Blake make this generous gesture brought a lump to her throat and tears to her eyes.
    Immediately he frowned. ‘Now what is wrong? You are still not happy?’
    ‘Of course I’m happy. It’s just that no one’s ever done anything like this for me before.’
    Blake reached across the table and took her hand, enclosing it gently with his other one. ‘That is such a pity. You are a gracious woman, Kara, and you should be treated accordingly.’
    His sympathy, the look of compassion in his eyes, completely overwhelmed her, and it was a big struggle to control her tears. She swallowed hard and smiled. ‘I’m being silly. I’m sorry.’
    Blake lifted her hand to his lips. ‘I am the one who is sorry. Sorry that you have not enjoyed the pleasures in life that a beautiful woman like you should. But now I think it is time we retired to our rooms.’
    Before she made a complete fool of herself in front of everyone—that was what he was saying. Kara smiled weakly and allowed him to take her elbow and lead her upstairs.

CHAPTER FOUR
    J OINING Blake for a nightcap went against every one of Kara’s self-imposed rules. The trouble was he had a way of making her break them. He had made her laugh tonight; he had been fun company—something she had never