Despite her exasperation Alex was curious about him. After the sleek, smooth men she knew in London, meeting Rinaldo was like encountering a wild animal. The feelings that drove him were so powerful that she could almost feel them radiating from him. He was controlling them, but only just.

She thought of David, who never did anything that hadn’t been planned beforehand. She couldn’t imagine him losing control, but with Rinaldo Farnese she could imagine it only too easily.

Strangely the thought did not alarm her, but only increased her curiosity.

He began to stride impatiently about the room in a way that told her he was happier outdoors, and rooms suffocated him. Now she appreciated how tall he was, over six foot, broad-shouldered but lean. He was lithe, not graceful like his brother, but athletic, like a tightly coiled spring.

‘So now you’ve seen them all,’ he said. ‘All the vultures who are lining up to swoop. They’ve calculated that your only interest is money. Are they wrong?’

‘I-well, you’re certainly direct.’

‘I came here to know what your plans are. Is that direct enough for you?’

‘My plans are fluid at the moment. I’m waiting to see what develops.’

‘Do you fancy yourself as a farmer?’

‘No, I’m not a farmer, nor do I have any ambitions to be one.’

‘That is a wise decision. You would find us two to one against you.’

She surveyed him with her head a little on one side. ‘You don’t believe in sugar coating it, do you?’

‘No,’ he said simply, ‘there’s no point. What are your plans?’

‘To discuss the situation with you. The vultures can think what they like. You get the first chance to redeem the loan. Look, I’m not a monster. I know money can be difficult. In my own country I’m an accountant-’

‘I know,’ he said impatiently. ‘Somebody who works with money. And that’s all you care about-money.’