‘As long as I’m in your power, everything about you is my business.’

‘I see no need to discuss David.’

‘Is he a painful subject?’

‘No, he isn’t. It’s just that our relationship is-difficult to describe-’

‘You mean it isn’t passionate,’ he said calmly.

‘I mean nothing of the kind.’

‘Then it is passionate? His kisses inflame you, your body aches for him when you are apart?’

Alex’s lips twitched. Her sense of humour was coming to her rescue.

‘You forget,’ she said, ‘that I’m a cold-blooded northerner. We don’t “do” passion. It gets in the way of business.’

His eyes gleamed. ‘A remark like that is pure provocation.’

‘You can take it any way you like. David is the man I’m going to marry, and I refuse to discuss our relationship any further.’

He was silent for a long moment after that. Alex knew that the announcement of her impending marriage was like a glove thrown down in defiance, warning him that she had her own agenda. But his face was slightly averted, and she couldn’t discern what effect it had had on him.

At last he raised his head and spoke.

‘Teresa is ready to serve the next course. I hope you’re hungry.’

CHAPTER FIVE

TERESA served game bird cooked with Marsala wine and juniper berries. It was delicious and Alex soon persuaded herself that arguments could wait.

Sitting on the veranda they could see the light fade from the land and the sun turn deep red before sliding down the sky. Here and there a cloud seemed lit by crimson from behind.

Brutus moved between them, begging. To Alex’s surprise Rinaldo showed no impatience, but fed the old dog patiently, although he advised her, ‘Don’t let him pester you.’

‘I don’t mind being pestered,’ Alex said with perfect truth. ‘He’s beautiful.’

‘He’s a dog,’ Rinaldo said with a touch of curtness. ‘Come on, boy.’