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Laurie can show me around.” Danny laughed. He was obviously pleased to
see her, but his eyes blazed with something she could not quite understand.
    “Get your
hat, and we’ll go for a walk. Ever ridden in a cable tram?”
    Leaving
Danny and Blair chatting to Aunt Jane, she followed Helen upstairs. They did
not speak, Laurie vowing not to even try starting up a conversation after what
had happened.
    “Couldn’t
you find someone more suitable than a common lout like him?”
    “There's
nothing wrong with Danny. At least he isn't rude like you.” She pushed past
Helen and slammed the door in her face.
    The
reflection in her mirror as she brushed her hair, showed anger lending a rosy
hue to her cheeks. “Oh, Danny, I love you, but you’re so reckless you frighten
me.”
    She put on
the cream straw hat she had worn on the train, picked up a clean handkerchief
and left the room.
    Back in the
sitting room, Blair and Danny talked earnestly together, but they broke off as
soon as she entered.
    “Danny will
be staying for dinner,” Aunt Jane announced. “Your Uncle Richard will make sure
he's driven back to camp later. Now off you two go and enjoy yourselves.” She
bestowed a benevolent smile on them. Laurie could hardly believe her eyes.
Danny must have poured on the charm.
    “Goodbye,
Aunt Jane.” She kissed her aunt's cheek.
    “Enjoy
yourself, child. Now take good care of our Lauren, won't you, Danny?”
    Laurie
stifled a giggle behind one hand, as Danny in true gentlemanly fashion bowed.
    “I'll take
good care of her, don’t worry.” She caught his wink when he turned his head
towards her.
    “Goodbye,
Blair.” Helen had not shown up, and Laurie wasn't sorry. She was beginning to
dislike her cousin more and more.
    “I'll see
you both at dinner. Enjoy yourselves.” Blair did not smile and his eyes were
dark and somber. She didn’t know why she felt pleased he would be sharing their
meal. What would it take to make him laugh?
    A maid let
them out of the house, and once in the street Danny put on his slouch hat. They
linked arms as they strolled along the path. She was filled with pride to be
seen in the company of such a handsome young soldier.
    They ambled
along for a time admiring the many mansions with their park-like gardens. Even
the smaller, more modest houses looked pretty.
    “I've
missed you like hell.” He pulled her into his arms and his kisses were hot and
fierce.
    “Danny,
please, someone might see.”
    “Don't you
want to kiss me?”
    “Yes,
but…”  
    His lips
obliterated the rest of her answer. His hands pressed her so hard against him,
the buttons on his uniform jacket dug into her breasts.
    He moved
his tongue inside her mouth, darting, flicking and tasting. She found herself
responding to him. Her heart fluttered and excitement swirled around in the pit
of her stomach.
    “I love
you, Laurie.” He shifted his lips so he could nibble her throat. “My mate told
me about this hotel where they don't ask any questions.”
    “What!” She
stiffened in his arms.
    “Please.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I've thought of nothing else for days.
I’m just about out of my mind with wanting you.”
    “I, I…
can't.”
    “If you
loved me, you would.” His tone became sullen. “You're my girl. We're going to
get married one day, so why not?”
    “Sneaking
off to some cheap hotel room would make everything seem sordid.”
    “Yeah, too
good for a common private, huh? You're acting like some outraged virgin, and we
both know you aren't.”
    Hot tears
sprang to her eyes as she twisted away from him. She couldn’t believe he would
say something so cruel to her.
    “Laurie.”
He strode after her. “God, I’m sorry.   What a filthy thing to say.” He grabbed her arm. “Please, I’m a bastard.
I didn't mean it.”
    “Yes, you
did.” She let him swing her around. “It's true.” Huge tears hung on her lashes.
    “No. You're
beautiful, far too good for me. You always have