When the Devil Drives

'Very commendable, but at the moment you look in need of somekind of stimulant. You're as white as a sheet.' He paused. 'What'supset you? Surely not all that talk of widowhood?'To her shame, Joanna realised she hadn't given that aspect of theconversation a second thought. It was almost as if Martin had neverexisted, she thoughtwith angry guilt. Nevertheless, she grasped at thelifeline Cal had thrown her.'Naturally I found it distressing,' she said shortly. 'Although I'm sureyou'd prefer to believe I have no feelings whatsoever.''On the contrary,' he said softly, 'I have every reason to know thatyour emotions—and passions— are all alive and well. Although howthey ever concerned poor old Martin is something we'll have todiscuss one of these days. Now drink your wine, and tell me whatreally caught you on the raw.'She lifted her chin. 'I've just told you.'Cal shook his head. 'That was an afterthought, and we both know it.'He studied her for a moment. 'You were on edge from the momentMorris showed us that bed. Don't tell me it's brought on an attack ofbridal nerves?''I'm not planning to be a bride. Your intentions to me are quitedifferent, as you've made more than clear.' She set down her wineglass with a jerk, spilling some of the liquid on to the table.'Is that what's troubling you?' His brows lifted in amused disbelief.'You want a proposal of marriage?''No.' Joanna kept her voice low but vehement. 'For God's sake, youheard her—what she said about it. "A labour of love", she called it.You could tell the kind of relationship they'd had—that it had beengood—and right. The whole cottage breathed it. And that's what she