Drowning Read Free Page B

lips with his own as he forced the life back into me. The image was shocking, but at the same time it made me feel strangely warm inside.
    “Thank you,” I said, in a rather shaky voice. “I had no idea… I didn’t know my condition had been so serious.”
    “It was. I’m a trained paramedic, but even so I thought I’d lost you.”
    Suddenly, I wondered if his voice had been the one I’d heard in my dream; the mystery lover by the lake who had shouted ‘Don’t leave me!’ Could that have been a fragmented memory from my resuscitation? I thought it likely, but felt too shy to ask.
    Seeing that I was temporarily stumped for words, he said, “I haven’t introduced myself. Nicholas de Lanoy.”
    “Erin Mitchell.”
    “Where are you from?”
    “New York.”
    “Well, Erin, all I can say is you New Yorkers are made of tough stuff.”
    He put the radio receiver back in its bracket, and I stepped aside as he got out of the car and slammed the door.
    “Is there anything you need right now?”
    “Actually,” I said, “I came to ask you if I could use a phone—it’s urgent.”
    Walking with me back down the narrow covered corridor, Nicholas kept to my left, shielding me from the spraying rain.
    “Unfortunately, the answer is no. All our cellular comms went down in the storm, and as I told you last night, the landlines aren’t operational either. I only have one radio connection, which is a direct link to our local police station. I’ve already reported that you’re here, so when your husband gets in touch with the police, he’ll find out you’re safe.”
    “Would I be able to get a ride to the police station?”
    “Also not possible. The flood washed away the bridge, so the only road leading into this estate is now impassable. There are rough tracks going through the valley into the Kruger Park, but those lowlands are completely underwater now. So, Erin, you are my guest here until conditions change.”
    “But… oh, okay, then.” If there was no way out, there was no way out. I’d just have to explain this to Vince in a way that didn’t make him angry all over again. And I certainly wasn’t going to let my husband know about Mr. de Lanoy. The way things were between us now, telling him that I was stranded on an estate belonging to such an attractive man would be completely foolhardy.
    “There’s a very well-stocked library and a gym,” Nicholas said, guiding me to my seat in the dining room and pulling out my chair for me. “We have a freezer full of food, a vegetable and herb garden, fruit trees, and an excellent wine cellar. You’ll be comfortable here for now, and I’ll come and find you the minute we have cellular connectivity again.”
    “Thank you,” I said, overcoming my confusion for long enough to finally remember my manners.
    “It’s my privilege to be able to offer hospitality to such an attractive visitor.” He stared down at me and the hint of a smile creased his delicious mouth. I had the feeling that if he’d taken my pulse again at that moment he might have advised me to lie down immediately. But he didn’t. He turned and strode out of the dining room to carry on his radio conversation with the police, leaving me alone with my coffee and, briefly, at a loss for words.

CHAPTER 3
    The stresses of the past twenty-four hours had been more draining than I’d thought. After breakfast, and despite the large mug of strong coffee, I could not keep my eyes open. Refusing Miriam’s offer of a guided tour around the lodge, I stumbled back to my bedroom to find that another uniformed housekeeper had just finished making up my bed and was wheeling out a laundry cart containing the muddy, soiled bedding.
    Mindful of my underwear shortage, I removed my bra and panties before climbing gratefully between the cool, crisp sheets. My eyelids felt leaden. The sound of the rain had abated to a soft hissing.
    I hoped Vince had contacted the police by now, who would have informed him I was