The Spaniard's Baby Bargain. Helen Bianchin

pulled on jogging-bottoms and top, caught up a towel and made her way down to the lower level.

      The gym was impressive, the equipment expensive, and she crossed to the indoor lap pool, slid into the water and began a punishing series of laps, back and forth until she could feel the pull of muscles.

      It felt good to expend pent-up energy, and she emerged, crossed to the shower, then donned sweats and returned to her room to change for dinner.

      After a pleasant meal, they took coffee into the entertainment room and watched a movie on DVD.

      When it finished Ariane rose to her feet. ‘Goodnight.’

      Tony slotted in another movie, then sank back into a comfortable chair. ‘See you at breakfast.’