Spring Proposal in Swallowbrook Read Free

to stay, and Libby and Nathan unaware that their protégé had arrived unexpectedly?
    There was the apartment above the double garage, of course. If she hadn’t fallen into such a deep sleep the night before he might have mentioned it then. He could offer her the use of it until tomorrow and it would serve a dual purpose from his point of view. Ease his conscience with regard to wanting her out of his space and give him peace of mind knowing that he hadn’t turned her out without accommodation.
    Before it had been turned into an apartment the area above the garage had been a study and sitting room that his late brother-in-law had used, and when she had lost him one of the few decisive things that Patrice had done was to have the accommodation made into a small apartment for letting to help out financially. It was usually occupied by visitors to the lakes from Easter onwards but as it was out of season it was currently empty.
    Ruby was observing his expression and wondering what was coming next. The feeling that she was ruining his weekend was heavy in the air and she certainly was not expecting a suggestion as welcome as the one he was about to make.
    ‘There is a self-contained apartment above the garage.’ he told her. ‘You can use that until tomorrow if you wish. No need to go looking for somewhere to stay. There’s plenty of food in my fridge and freezer so just help yourself to what you want if you would like to make use of the accommodation.’
    The generosity of the offer made her want to weep. The last thing she’d been looking forward to was trudging around the village with her flowery suitcase.
    ‘That would be fantastic,’ she told him gratefully. ‘If there is a bath I can have a nice long soak to take away the stresses of yesterday.’
    ‘Yes, of course there is a bathroom,’ he said dryly, ‘and now, if you will excuse me, I heard the Sunday papers drop through the letter box a few moments ago and am going to bring myself up to date with what is going on in the world.’
    He paused in the kitchen doorway and as if he hadn’t been dismissive enough said, ‘Let me know when you want to go across there and I’ll take you on a short guided tour.’
    ‘I’m ready now,’ she said meekly, eager to take advantage of his reluctant hospitality.
    ‘OK. So go and sort out what food you want to take with you and I’ll bring your case down. The sooner you’re settled in there the better you’ll feel, even though it will only be for the one night.’
    And the happier you will be on both counts she thought. Count one because it is only for one night, and count two because you will have your privacy back, but you will still have to endure my presence at the surgery Dr Lawrence, and you could be in for a surprise as my sparkle has only been dimmed, not extinguished.
    ‘Oh! This is lovely,’ she said, looking around her at the pristine open-plan dining room and kitchen. Her glance went to the window. ‘I can see the lake through the trees!’
    Hugo was checking that the lighting and central heating were switched on at the mains and didn’t reply. He just nodded his agreement and pointed towards the apartment’s one bedroom and en suite arrangements for her to inspect.
    ‘I hope I’ll be able to find somewhere like this when I start looking for accommodation next week,’ she said wistfully, and waited to see if he would rise to the implied suggestion, but it fell on stony ground and once he had satisfied himself that she was au fait with the workings of everything he said, ‘Libby and Nathan usually get back from their weekends away around half past seven on a Monday morning, so you should be able to get in touch with them tomorrow any time after that.
    ‘If you should leave here after I’ve gone to the surgery just drop the keys through my letter box.’ And off he went…to read the Sunday papers while she did some unpacking and had that long soak that she had promised herself.
    Then, after