Harry must have slept but erratically so. The only faint glimmer of hope in an otherwise awful day was that Arlington wasn't around and she didn't have to act. Her eyes felt gritty and sore from the hot tears that she had shed in the privacy of the bathroom.

Any hope that she may have secured the grant was undermined by the very real fact that the man in the bed next to her was a sex worker. How much sex he had on the job was a mystery that she didn't want to solve but the fact remained he was working. The only person played for a fool was Arlington and his staff. Yet it was she who felt like the idiot.

"Good morning," said a voice from the other side of the bed. Dempsey was waking up, running a hand over his face and through his hair. His voice was gravelled from sleep.

"Good morning," her tone was sharp.

"You sleep okay?" Dempsey blinked at her from dark eyes.

"No, not a wink," she owed him an honest appraisal.

Dempsey pushed himself up so he sat against the headboard; she avoided looking at his chest. Reaching to the bedside table, he passed her a cup of coffee, "this will help."

"You don't have to serve me, it's not part of your job," Harry took it nevertheless and in the silence, dared to look at his face which lingered on hers as he took a long sip, as if trying to solve a puzzle.

"I'm being nice," he commented, evenly and carefully.

And I'm being a bitch. He had a point, Harry conceded. He hadn't done anything wrong apart from being nice.

"Thank you," she tried to be more agreeable.

"We didn't share a secret last night," Dempsey remembered.

"You first then," she wrapped herself in a blanket and waited as he considered what to say.

"Even my mother doesn't know this. When I was thirteen, I set fire to a shed in our yard and blamed an English kid next door, Keith something."

Harry was astounded, "You can't say that and end it there. I need more details."

"He was going out with a girl and he shoved my head in a locker. She moved away a month later and never noticed me." Dempsey pouted sadly.

Harry couldn't help smile; "Didn't you think to say hello and ask her out?"

"I went around there with some flowers but the house was empty." Dempsey tried to look sad but a smile danced around his mouth, "Would've kept Keith out of prison if I had, I guess."

"My ex-husband stopped me completely my police training at Hendon," Harry blurted out before she could stop the words.

Dempsey regarded her for a moment, his face clouded; "Asshole."

Perhaps it was the tiredness that ran through her body or his economy with words but she couldn't help the tired laughter. He looked at her with something like affection and she stopped abruptly, remembering her place. It's a job.

"What happened to him?"

"I caught him screwing my best friend," Harry said briefly, unwilling to share the details in this bed, even though it really did mean nothing. Robert would have a field day if he knew about Dempsey. "He was an asshole."

Dempsey reached out and touched her arm. "Sure was if he thought he'd find anyone better than you."

Harry swallowed and reminded herself again that he was paid to say such things. She watched him get out of bed. When she heard the shower go on, she slipped from the bed to gather her own clothes. A movement caught her eye and she saw several workmen on the roof, pointing at something. Around then were some tools and she closed the window blinds before they saw her.

In the lounge downstairs, there was another spread of breakfast; the coffee pot half full. Dempsey must have carried the cups upstairs before she woke. Harry twisted the ring he had gifted her on her finger and wondered about the intimacy of such a gesture.

Katherine found them in the main hallway as they zipped up warm coats for a walk to the nearby town; she hurried down the staircase with a relieved smile; "Arlington has called to say that he'll be in London for a few more days. He's happy to continue the conversation when he gets back and you have free run of the house and grounds."

The housekeeper paused and looked a little embarrassed, "He said to tell you that he's very keen to award the money and looks forward to talking when he's back."

Harry looked at Dempsey with concern. "Katherine, may I have a moment to talk with James in private?"

"He's gonna hold you to this grant," Dempsey grumbled as they watched Katherine disappear into the house. He followed Harry and winced at the cold weather. "What if you have other stuff going on? He can't -"

"- Dempsey," Harry felt wrung dry by the change of plans. "I can't afford you anymore."

"What about the grant?" He look genuinely worried, coming to a stop in front of her.

"I'll head back to London, maybe arrange to cook him a meal or meet him there. We did well yesterday, there must be a way around it." She knew there wasn't but they had tried. "I'll tell him you have business elsewhere."

"You heard what Katherine said, he wants to award you the money here, on his turf. It's not a request, it's an order. Anyway, you shouldn't be alone with that guy." Dempsey insisted.

"Alone?" Harry countered with more sass than she intended.

Dempsey scrubbed his hand over his chin, "He's got a reputation, Harry."

Well, who knew, a hooker with a heart. "Nevertheless, I haven't got any more money to pay you."

"But the research won't go ahead without his cash?"

She nodded.

Dempsey frowned, "Let me make a call."

Remembering that her eavesdropping last night only bought bad news, Harry walked around the lawns wondering what on earth he was doing or saying.

"Chas said I can stay, no extra charge," Dempsey told her when he caught up with her a lake.

"Dempsey - "

"Hey, it's fine. I'm invested in this now, I get to spend time here in a beautiful place with a gorgeous woman and it's Thanksgiving." He ran a finger down her cheek when she looked quizzically at him. "Money talks."

DMDM

It felt good to be out, Dempsey thought as they ambled along a footpath. The call from Simone had bothered him.

He wasn't sure how she had his number but she used to move in powerful circles and required his arm to keep her steady and off the booze. In the hotel room later, he would do as she paid for. Lately, she had become more possessive. He would speak with Chas when he got back and be more careful with his phone in the meantime.

He felt better already as he wandered around the streets, keeping Harry close to his side. Yet sadly, she didn't take his hand or wind her arm around his.

That evening they lounged in the library after a quiet meal. Dempsey had found a book on the history of New York and Harry was writing a letter to her father.

"Hello, I'm sorry to disturb you both, but Arlington asked me to arrange a treat for you both," Katherine smiled politely at them.

Dempsey looked at Harry who shrugged and put her papers in her bag. They followed the housekeeper to the roof by another turret where they found chairs, a long bench and thick blankets.

"Settle down, and wait for a few moments," she explained and hurried downstairs.

Dempsey headed to the bench, expecting Harry to sit with him but she chose a single deckchair and pulled a blanket over her, like a shield. He paused to watch her and noticed that she was interested in anything, but him.

"Any ideas?" He asked finally, uncertain if that was her manner or the worry of what next.

"None at all," Harry said briefly and settled back to wait.

A thump startled him and suddenly from the lawn, a firework exploded into the sky. Then another until dozens of colours decorated the night, in red, white and blue. Dempsey had to admit that their host did a good display.

He turned to talk with Harry and caught his breath. She sat, her face canted upward with the most perfect profile; each explosion illuminated the pout of her mouth. His breath caught and he felt like he'd been punched in the stomach,

Jeez.

"You're quiet," he commented as they settled down in bed that night.

"My ears are ringing," Harry deflected; he knew that much about her. "Tell me your secret."

"I lied about my job on my taxes," he confessed, wanting to touch her but settling for his toes near her calves and keeping it light after this mornings conversation.

She broke a smile; "Poor James, sex work is sex work."

He settled back on the pillows and drew up the sheets, oddly aroused by her language and relieved that she had smiled; "What's your secret?"

"Angela asked me to pick up a dress from the dry cleaners and I liked so much I haven't given it back," Harry's cheeks turned pink.

"I never had you down as a thief," he teased. "Must be some dress, you gonna give more details?"

"Red, long, sleeveless with a high neck - "

"- sounds like a sack," he grumbled

"-close cut, with a back that's open down to here on me, I tried it on," Harry explained, with a wave of her hand towards her hips. "She hasn't noticed it's missing yet."

Dempsey was dumbfounded as he tried to picture it and his mind could only wander into visions that could easily become pornographic. "When we get back to London, I'm gonna need to check it out."

Harry turned out the lights, and he was relieved she didn't turn him down.

DMDM

When they woke, Dempsey was touching her; a first. At some point she must have rolled close and her back was against his chest; his body had decided to drape over hers. That was how the light of a new day found them.

He'd barely registered how his body was enjoying the sensation, then Harry tensed beside him. He kept his breath steady as if asleep but she'd slipped away into the bathroom; he didn't see her again until she was dressed.

Dempsey was certain that Harry was avoiding him. Yesterday he put it down to the stress but since Arlington had left, Dempsey wasn't sure why she was keeping her distance and he had no idea what to do.

Most women wanted more of him and Harry seemed like she could retreat into herself or worse, leave, if he pressed the matter. Instead Dempsey disappeared himself, hoping the space would help, thinking she'd find him if it was important.

Dempsey went fishing on the lake, telling the gamekeeper that his fiancée would be bored; he wasn't very keen either but the effort to learn stopped his mind wandering. He avoided dinner, explained he wasn't feeling too well with the food and wondered if he could sleep on a couch that night.

By late evening, he needed food. Harry tracked him down as he pulled on a pair of joggers, her hair was damp from the shower and she was in her pyjamas.

"I'm hungry," he confessed and frowned at the phone when nobody picked it up. "I'll go find the kitchens."

"You'll get lost, I'll come with you," Harry tied up her robe and slid her feet into slippers. It was their first conversation for hours and he realise he had missed her company.

They crept down the hallways which were oddly silent compared to the daytime flurry of staff. Harry paused as they reached the stairs to the basement and wondered if that might be the kitchen . She frowned when they heard voices in the distance.

"Honestly I think they're faking it," said a woman with a thick local accent.

"Don't be silly," they heard Katherine reply. "They're such a good match."

"Really? I saw them outside this morning and she wouldn't take his hand."

"Maybe they had an argument?' Katherine suggested.

"I don't know. Greg said they barely spoke to each other since Mad Arlington left. I think she's after the boss's money."

"It's for a good cause, and it's not like Arlington is broke, it's better spent on research than that silly truck." Katherine replied."He gets her breakfast every day you know,"

"Maybe it's her then? There's nothing going on in the bed, those sheets are clean."

"For heaven's sake!"

"I don't know what her problem is, I'd be all over that."

As they heard footsteps, Dempsey grabbed Harry's hand and quickly steered them back to their room. He tried the phone again hoping there would be an answer, and requested toast and tea.

"They're right," Harry bit her bottom lip. "It is me."

"We can fix it," Dempsey commented, pulling off his t-shirt and kicking off his shoes, thinking up a plan as he left the door cracked open.

"But you've been making the effort, I'm the one who hasn't been…." Harry panicked, imagining all the worse outcomes.

"Can you trust me on this?" Dempsey asked gently. To his relief, she nodded, just as they heard a footsteps outside and a tap at the door; Katherine was here with the food.

Working on instinct, Dempsey pinched Harry's bottom. She yelped out his name as he pulled her onto the couch, nestling her body beneath his and kissed her roughly. To his delight, she responded and he couldn't help the moan that rose up inside him.

"Oh goodness, I'm so sorry," he vaguely heard Katherine exclaim as Harry's hands slipped down his bare back and he felt every moment of her fingers. .

They heard the click of the door and the clack of the housekeeper's shoes as she walked away. All was quiet. Beneath him, Harry caught her breath and eyed him, bemused, not cross. Dempsey stole two more light kisses before he stood up.

"You had something on your nose." He said lightly to hide the explosion taking place inside him.

A mighty firework of emotion had been let free. He didn't do kissing like that with any other client. That was reserved for relationships. Unwilling to explore that revelation, Dempsey chose to keep it simple.

"That should help with the rumours."