Dane

Chapter 10

Dane entered the foyer of Collinwood, whistling a favourite tune and a spring in his step. He'd risen early, and had amused himself, by talking a walk around the estate, and then had driven into Collinsport.

He hung up his coat and then headed towards the dining room; eager to dispel the ravishing appetite he'd worked up.

Julia was sitting at the table when he entered, engrossed in a small black notebook. She hadn't noticed his arrival, and he grinned mischievously to himself. He crept up behind her, and then, covered her eyes with one hand.

Startled Julia gasped, and quickly closed the book. Angrily she turned to face the culprit that had scared her. "Dane!" she gasped, he had been the last person she had expected to see. "You almost frightened me to death!"

A contrite look crossed his handsome face. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "But I just couldn't resist. Forgive me?" he asked in a regretful tone, bringing his other hand from behind his back, revealing a bouquet of roses.

"Dane!" she gasped in surprise. "Roses, my favourite."

He smiled as she inhaled their fragrance. "A perfect gift, to a perfect lady, on a perfect day."

She blushed at his comment, but he knew he had pleased her. "Poetry, that's got to be a first," she said with a smile. He sensed that she hadn't been the receiver of spur of the moment surprises, for some time, and mentally chalked up one point in his mind.

"Not really," he said, becoming serious. "I wanted to apologise for making a complete ass of myself last night. I know what your work means to you, and I had no right to question what you choose to do."

Julia smelled the roses again, and then looked at Dane seriously. "You have nothing to apologise for. If there is cause for blame then it's my fault. I let my...concerns over my research with Barnabas, intrude on a perfectly good evening."

"Does that mean, we could perhaps do it again?" he asked hopefully.

"I'd like that," she said with a pleased smile. And placing a hand on his arm added, "and thank you for the roses. They're beautiful. I'll put them in a vase."

She turned to leave, but he caught her by the arm. "I was thinking of taking a drive someplace. I was hoping that you'd come with me."

Her face fell. "I'm sorry Dane, but I have work..."

His eyes clouded for the briefest moment. "Barnabas?" he asked, irritated.

"Actually no," she said, her voice and manner growing cold. "I was intending to work at Wyndcliffe." She stared at him, a moment. "I get the impression that you don't like Barnabas. Why?"

Dane shrugged and let go of her arm. "I hardly know him," he said defensively. "I've only met him once, so I haven't formed an opinion of him, but he seemed very aloof when I met him."

"It's his way. He's wary of strangers. But once he gets to know you, he can be easy enough to get along with."

"Then I'll have make an effort, won't I?" he said, forcing a smile. "Maybe I should make the first move? Is he at home?"

A guarded look crossed her face. "No, he mentioned last night that he would be away until tonight."

"He's working again? On a Sunday?"

"He's loves his work. I recall that you admire dedication to hard work. Or has that changed?"

"I still believe it, but there's dedication, and there's dedication! Personally, I'd find reading musty old books all day and everyday pretty dull. But, that's Barnabas' business not mine. How about that drive?"

"I told you, I had to go to Wyndcliffe."

"Then we'll stop by Wyndcliffe. But after that I insist that you have some R and R." He grinned. "Doctor's orders."

"But I don't know how long I'll be. It could be hours," insisted Julia, hoping to put him off.

As soon as she said it, she regretted it; once he made his mind up, he rarely changed it. Except under special circumstances. And this, she swiftly realised, wasn't one of them. Dane remained firm.

Shortly after their conversation, they left Collinwood and headed in the direction of Wyndcliffe.