Her relief was short lived, however, for his eyes caressed her again, more intimately than before. Then he threw his shirt on the bed and said outrageously, “You're welcome to share.”

To her annoyance she felt herself blush, but she was determined to have one last try.

“Am I to understand that you refuse to leave the room?” she enquired.

“Yes, you are,” he said with a mocking smile.

She was not a woman who liked to admit defeat, but she knew when she was beaten. The only course left to her was to retreat with as much dignity as possible.

Saying haughtily, “Then it seems that I must be the one to leave,” she turned and walked out of the room.

Once in the corridor she berated the innkeeper soundly under her breath and then retired to her maid's room.

“Oh, Miss, I was just coming,” said the girl.

She lifted a pile of nightclothes out of the trunk that was open by the bed and headed for the door.

“I am afraid there has been a muddle, Susan,” said Rebecca. “My room has been given to someone else. We will have to share.”

She sank onto the bed, annoyed, for she did not like to be bested. Her one consolation was that she would be leaving the inn first thing in the morning and so she would never have to see the leonine man again.

*  *  *

Her thoughts were not shared by the man in question, who would have been very happy to see her again. He had met many spirited wenches in his time, and many meek young ladies, but her combination of spirit and gentility was new to him, and that blend of dark hair, ruby red lips and porcelain skin was very attractive. He should have been annoyed with her for trying to steal his room, for he was convinced that, having found the inn full, she had pretended that it belonged to her in an effort to win it by fair means or foul. But instead he admired her for it. He had always been a man to take what he wanted, and it was not often he met with a kindred spirit. What a pity she had not accepted his offer to share his bed!