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snatching at every sensation, every pleasure in case . . . Because of that she could not deny him. He watched her pensive face moodily for some moments, then roused himself.
    ‘Now where’s that dratted dog?’ He whistled.
    It was some moments before Caesar appeared, and they sat in silence, each busy with their thoughts. Gray’s gaze had gone to the distant mountain crests, and Frances studied his face, wondering to what she had committed herself. He was still almost a stranger to her and there were depths in him at which she could only guess. With her eyes upon the firm lines of his mouth, she decided he could, if provoked, be cruel as well as kind, and she hoped she would never encounter that side of his nature. At that moment he seemed to have gone away from her, and she surmised that his thoughts had fled to Silver Arrow. There was her real rival, a thing of steel and fibreglass, as opposed to flesh and blood. Absurd on the face of it, but only too true.
    The sky became overcast and the waters of the loch heaved with warning of a storm to come. Gray whistled again, and at last Caesar appeared, galloping along the shore. He wagged an apologetic tail, as Gray heaved him aboard, and sat down with his head upon Frances’ knees.
    ‘We'll have him to live with us,’ Gray decided, beginning to scull. ‘You wouldn’t mind?’
    ‘No, I’d love to have him, but he takes up a lot of room.’ She stroked the massive head. ‘Unless he was kept outside.’
    ‘No. A dog is a companion, not to be shut up like a wild animal. We’ll accommodate him. We’ll start house-hunting when I come back.'
    Frances found these remarks reassuring, they gave substance to what had seemed a wild dream, but until Gray returned she would have to live somewhere, and she asked:
    ‘Gray, need we tell the Fergusons? I’ll have to go on living at Craig Dhu for a little while, until you come back, and it would be easier for me if they didn’t know.'
    He looked displeased. ‘I meant to take you to my parents, it would be a more suitable arrangement.’
    ‘But they would be strangers.’ (And possibly antagonistic, not approving his choice.) 'It 11 be an anxious time and I'd much rather be among people I know and go on as if nothing had changed.’
    ‘Something will have changed. You’ll no longer be a virgin.’
    Frances flushed fierily as she met his sensual look and he laughed.
    'I like to make you blush, shows you’ve some red blood in you. We’ll spend a little time together after the ceremony, but not at Craig Dhu. I’ll arrange something.’
    Gray agreed, but with reluctance, to keep the marriage secret until his return. Frances felt she could not endure Lesley’s venom and Ian’s reproach without his presence to support her, and it would be worse being with his at present unknown parents.
    By now the waves had increased and Gray was having to pull hard to get the boat across the loch. About half way over it started to rain. Frances draped her towel over her shoulders, but it was not much protection. Her hair streamed out on the wind like a banner. The boat rose and fell with the surge, but she was not afraid, storms always' exhilarated her, but by the time they reached the landing stage she was soaked to the skin.
    ‘Run up to the house and get dry while I put the boat away,’ Gray commanded.
    As she ran Frances reflected that water seemed to be the prevailing element in her life by the loch. Later, soaking in a hot bath, she went over the events of that incredible afternoon. She had promised to marry a man who had spoken no word of love, and who on parting had not even kissed her, but had ordered her away peremptorily, as if he were glad to be rid of her.
     

CHAPTER FIVE
    During the short period that was to elapse before Gray left, Frances went about her duties in a daze. The more she thought about it, the more fantastic the afternoon on the loch appeared. Surely she could not have been so mad as to promise to marry Gray? He