'You have neglected me,' she said, pouting slightly.

'I'll make amends for that this evening,' he promised.

'Where have you been?'

'I told you, my love. I had business to attend to.'

'What kind of business?' she pressed. 'I know that you are a merchant with interests all over the world but your work surely does not take precedence over me.'

'Nothing could ever do that, Berenice,' he said, taking the opportunity to plant another kiss on her hand. 'But let's not waste time talking about trade. The only person with whom I'm interested in having commerce at this moment is the one I adore.'

Her eyes flashed coquettishly. 'How do I know you adore me?'

'I could give you at least ten good reasons.'

'What's the first?'

'That would be telling,' he said with a teasing smile. 'And I'm not sure that you're in the right mood to hear them.'

She stamped an impatient foot. 'I want to be told, Daniel.'

'Let me refill your glass.'

'No,' she said, grasping him by the wrist. 'Stay here and recite these ten good reasons for me.' She lowered her voice to a purr. 'There may be a reward in store for you.'

He sealed the bargain with a laugh then he began. As he worked his way unhurriedly through the list, he was allowed to take a liberty each time, unhooking part of her dress or delicately removing an item of jewellery or even taking off a whole garment. At the end of his recitation, she stood before him almost naked, exuding a bewitching fragrance and making a visible effort to hold back her passion.