‘Some watchdog you are, Metcalfe. Anyone could have driven off with your precious car.’

Diana, who, despite all her best efforts, had been thinking about this extraordinarily beautiful man who’d invaded her thoughts, her life, jumped at the unexpected sound of his voice.

‘They could try,’ she said. ‘Of course, if they got past the locks and the alarm, there is still the global positioning gizmo.’

‘Those gizmos will get you every time,’ he said, joining her at the rail. Then, ‘So why didn’t you come into the gallery?’

‘Mr Pierce would not have approved,’ she said, keeping her eyes fixed firmly on the north bank of the Thames. ‘Besides, this view is more interesting than a load of old paintings.’

‘“…all that mighty heart…”’ he prompted.

‘Wordsworth had it nailed, didn’t he?’ Unable to help herself, she glanced at him. ‘How many Englishmen could quote an Arabic poet, I wonder?’ Then, before he could embarrass them both by answering, ‘Did the party end prematurely?’

‘No, it’s in full swing.’

‘Oh.’ He’d come out to see her. She looked at the tray. He’d brought her food? ‘Does Mr Pierce know you’ve escaped?’

‘Escaped?’

‘You are the star attraction?’

‘On the contrary, the Nadira Resort is the star of the show. Besides, I distracted James with a serious young journalist who doubts my probity.’

‘Why?’

He offered her the tray. ‘I thought you might be hungry.’

She stared at it for a moment, then, with a little shake of her head, said, ‘No, why does she doubt your probity? Whatever that is.’

‘Maybe integrity is a better word.’ Then, ‘You know journalists. Natural cynics.’

‘That’s one word for it.’ Then, ‘Why would she believe James Pierce and not you?’

‘She won’t. His job is to persuade her to come to Nadira and see the resort for herself.’

A smile from him would have been enough, she thought. One of his smiles could get him anything he wanted…