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‘I finish my book. In secret.’
A sense of relief washed over him. ‘Good.’ He’d done it. He might not have been able to bring his mother back from the brink before she jumped ship, but he’d fixed this. He’d fixed that little bit of Luce’s life that he could influence and now he could move on, forget all about her.
That, right there, was one good day’s work.
‘I’ve ordered us breakfast,’ he said, just as a knock on the door indicated its arrival.
‘If nothing else, the Hampton & Sons hotel chain has certainly fed me well during my stay,’ Luce said, taking a seat at the table in the dining area. ‘I should write to the management.’
‘I’ll pass on a message.’ Ben let in the room service staff member and took his own seat as platters of food were laid on the table. Eggs, bacon, toast, pastries—and plenty of hot coffee. Should keep him going on his drive through Wales, and it would make sure Luce had one more good meal before she lost herself in research and writing for the rest of the week.
‘Shall I open the curtains, sir?’ the room service guy asked, and Ben nodded.
Helping himself to eggs as Luce poured the coffee, Ben couldn’t help but think how domestic this was. Far more couply than he’d ever managed, even with women he’d actually slept with. It was a good job she was leaving today, or she’d be straightening his tie and calling him ‘honey’ in no time. She was that sort.
‘I’ll call the station when we’ve eaten,’ he said as light flooded into the room from the opened curtains. ‘See what times your trains are.’
But Luce wasn’t listening to him. Instead she stared out of the window, coffee cup halfway to her mouth. Ben followed her gaze.
Outside, rooftops and roads were coated in a thick layer of snow, gleaming white and icy. Heavy flakes fell lazily from the sky, adding to the perfect Christmas scene.
‘Huh!’ Ben said, watching it fall. ‘When did that happen?’
* * *
‘I should never have gone out for dinner,’ Luce muttered to herself as she waited on hold for the station. If she hadn’t gone out for dinner with Ben Hampton she’d have had to try to find somewhere else to stay. When that had inevitably failed she’d have had no option but to get a train home. She’d be warm and cosy in Cardiff, watching the snow fall as she worked on her book.
Except, if she was honest with herself, she knew she wouldn’t be. She’d have called her mother as soon as she got back to sort out the Christmas Eve dinner, and then she’d have been caught up in the responsibility net again. She’d be at her family’s beck and call, sorting out their problems and organising their Christmas season. The book wouldn’t have got a look-in.
Of course she would still have had a roof over her head, which was more than she’d have right now if the trains weren’t running.
The hotel room door slammed open and shut and Ben walked back in, his hair damp with snowflakes. ‘It’s really not stopping out there,’ he said, shrugging out of his coat. ‘I spoke to Reception—apparently all trains are subject to significant delays, and a lot simply aren’t running.’
Luce pressed the ‘end call’ button and dropped her phone onto the sofa before perching on the arm herself. ‘Fantastic.’
‘You’re thinking this is all my fault somehow, aren’t you?’
‘Yes.’ What the hell did she do now?
Ben pulled up a chair and sat opposite her. ‘Okay, well, let’s see what we can do to fix this.’
Luce rolled her eyes. ‘I know you pride yourself on being able to solve problems in hotels, but I think the British railway network might be beyond even your capabilities.’
Ben ignored her. ‘Daisy on Reception says this room’s booked out for tonight, and the guest has just called to confirm they’ll still be coming, despite the snow. So that’s out. We might possibly be able to find you another room if we get some cancellations, but there’s no guarantee. Or...’
‘Or?’ Luce sat up a little straighter. Another option was exactly what she needed right now. Unless, of course, this was another Ben Hampton plan to seduce her.
‘I’m driving south today anyway. Headed to my cottage down in the Brecons. Apparently it’s not so bad further south just yet, and I’m confident my four-by-four can handle it.’ He shrugged. ‘Wouldn’t be too far out of my way to take you on down to Cardiff. I can always stop for the night in one of our hotels there if the snow worsens.’
