‘You don’t. You’ll have to abandon it and tell the firm to come for it later.’

Muttering, she got out and called the hire firm on her mobile phone. The ensuing conversation was terse on both sides. The firm was reluctant to accept responsibility, insisting that the car had been perfect when consigned to her, and that it was her job to get it back.

As the argument grew heated she saw, to her annoyance, that Rinaldo was observing and taking in everything. At last, with the air of a man who could endure no more, he reached over, took the phone from her and spoke into it sharply and in Tuscan.

The effect was instantaneous. As she recovered the phone and put it to her ear the man on the other end was burbling with eagerness to please. Alex couldn’t decide whether she was more relieved to have the business sorted, or exasperated at being beholden to Rinaldo. His grin told her that he understood her dilemma perfectly.

‘Thank you,’ she said crisply. ‘I’m grateful to you.’

‘No you’re not,’ he said cheerfully. ‘You’d like to murder me.’

‘I’m far too much of a lady to say so.’

The phone rang before she could switch it off. She answered, turning away slightly.

‘Alex?’ It was David’s voice.

‘Hello, darling.’

‘I got your message. Sorry I couldn’t call back before. How are you doing out there?’

‘It has its ups and downs.’

‘I take it the arrangements are problematic?’

‘Very,’ she said. ‘But I’ll get there.’

‘Are the Farnese brothers being difficult?’

‘Nothing I can’t cope with,’ she said, loud enough for Rinaldo to hear.

‘Don’t stand for it,’ David told her. ‘You hold all the cards.’

‘Well, I know that. But everything isn’t as simple as it seemed when we were talking in England.’

‘If they start making themselves unpleasant, just set the lawyers onto them.’

‘It’s sweet of you to worry about me,’ she said tenderly, ‘but honestly darling, I’m coping really well.’