CHAPTER ONE

      “JORDAN CAINE is a cad!”

      “Oh, he is, Angelina!” Outrage sparked in Monique’s faded blue eyes. “Leaving our dear sweet Mallory to cope on her own all these months without so much as a postcard.”

      “Well, the man does appear to be an adventurer.” Eighty-year-old Emily looked anxiously at the other two over her half glasses. “But sisters, we’ve never even met Mr. Caine. Shouldn’t we give him the benefit of the doubt?”

      Angelina sighed. “Emily, you can be very trying. Any man who has behaved as badly as he has doesn’t deserve—”

      The front doorbell chimed, making them all start. They looked at each other meaningfully, and then with one accord set their bedtime mugs of hot milk on the coffee table.

      “She’s here,” whispered Emily. “Let us have no more talk of Jordan Caine.”

      All three cocked their heads and listened.

      From their cosy nook in the sitting room, they heard brisk footsteps cross the hall. Then they heard the front door opening and Elsa, their landlady, say warmly, “Mallory, come away in. How was your trip? It’s almost midnight! I was beginning to worry about you.”

      “I’m so sorry, Elsa. My last day of work, and so many loose ends to tidy…and then the staff surprised me with a Goodbye party and there was no way I could disappoint…”

      The voices faded.

      After several minutes, during which time the sisters sat tensely without talking, they heard steps approaching. Catching their breath, they turned towards the door and waited.

      The door opened.

      When Mallory appeared in the doorway, they sighed with pleasure at the sight of her. She looked lovely as always, in a short-skirted black suit, with an ivory shirt and stylish black pumps. Her face was pale and her features strained, but her genuine smile brought her dusky brown eyes to life.

      “Hi, ladies,” she said. “Isn’t it past your bedtime?”

      Not for the world would they have told her they had waited up to make sure she arrived safely.

      “Just finishing our hot milk,” Angelina murmured.

      “I’m going along to Number Five now.” Mallory raised both hands and shoved back her unruly auburn locks. “But I hope you’ll drop by and visit tomorrow.”

      “Everything’s settled?” Monique asked.

      “Everything’s settled.”

      “So,” Emily’s tone was awed, “you’ve burned your boats.”

      “Burned my boats and my bridges and everything else.” Mallory’s wry smile brought a dimple to her right cheek. “From now on, the only way to go is forward.”

      “Good luck, dear,” they chorused.

      “Thank you. I’m going to need it!”

      With a little wave, she closed the door and walked back into the hallway.

      Elsa was waiting for her, with the baby in her arms.

      “He’s teething,” Elsa said as she carefully handed over the infant. “He was cranky earlier, but he’s settled now.”

      Mallory felt her heart melt with love as she looked down at the sleeping child. Tenderly she ran a finger over his flushed cheeks. “Poor mite.”

      “I was along at Number Five earlier and aired out all the bedding. Just pop him in his crib and with a bit