‘You’ve got it all worked out.’

‘I always plan ahead. It’s a great help in covering every angle.’

‘You should be careful, covering too many angles. It looks suspicious,’ Elise replied.

That checked him, she was glad to notice, and made him regard her uncertainly.

‘What do you mean by that?’ he asked.

‘In another age they’d have called you a wizard and burnt you at the stake.’

‘Whereas now they call me a wizard and buy my shares. No more talking. Time to be outrageous. Hurry. Don’t keep me waiting.’

Elise went into the bedroom, thinking that it was simply indecent that he should have known about her ‘flaunt’ dress.

It hung in the far corner of her wardrobe, low-cut, whispering honey-coloured silk that sparkled with every movement. Ben had chosen it.

‘You can wear it to do me proud,’ he’d declared.

‘I’d wear it if I wanted to be taken for a certain kind of woman,’ she’d protested.

‘Nonsense! If you’ve got it, flaunt it.’

He’d actually said that.

She’d worn it once and felt self-conscious at the way it hugged her so tightly that it was impossible to wear anything underneath, and emphasised every movement of her hips.

It was cut on the slant, clinging lovingly to her, the neckline so low as to be barely decent, the extra length at the back making a slight train. It was impossible to walk normally in such a dress. Only sashaying would do.

Elise tried it, watching her own provocative movements before the mirror, and was shocked at herself for enjoying it. But tonight she was a different person.

Taking a deep breath, she flung open the door and walked out.

The room was empty.

CHAPTER TWO

LOOKING round in strong indignation, Elise realised that Vincente Farnese had made a fool of her-teasing her expectations, then leaving her stranded. But the next moment there was a knock on the door and she opened it to find him there.