The house was obviously empty and had been for some time, because there was dust everywhere. Thea stood in the entrance, trying to make out the details in the moonlight.

The door opened directly into the front room, which was large and had probably been two rooms at one time, judging by the beam that ran across it. She could make out a massive fireplace at one end and a staircase at the other. There was a window almost opposite the front door through which Thea could see a garden and tree-covered hills beyond. The house was enchanting, unrestored, probably bristling with original features. Thea would almost have put money on there being an old Cotswold privy outside. It must have cost a small fortune.

‘It’s amazing,’ said Thea. ‘But I don’t understand. You kidnap me – and you really did kidnap me – take me away from all my friends and important contacts to show me a house you could have shown me at any other time.’

‘I couldn’t wait any longer. I couldn’t risk it. If I hadn’t taken you away when I did, you’d have gone to bed with Rory.’

‘Oh. Why did you want to stop me? You’ve got Poppy, after all. You’ve never shown any interest in me, so it can’t be jealousy.’

‘Jealousy! If you knew what I’d gone through. What do you mean, I’ve never shown any interest in you? You must know by now how I feel about you.’

‘How was I supposed to do that? By ESP? There certainly haven’t been any other indications! You’ve only ever kissed me when you’ve been angry and couldn’t hit me.’ Suddenly she found herself smiling and was glad he probably couldn’t see. ‘You’re angry now, aren’t you? You want to hit me again.’

She heard him laugh softly as he walked towards her. ‘Well, yes, but not quite as much as I want to kiss you.’

He swept her into his arms, crushing her expensive dress and her with the same ruthlessness. His mouth came down on hers as if drawn by a magnet, his fingers pushed up into her hair at the back of her neck. She couldn’t move, could hardly breathe and wanted to stay there for ever. It felt as if all the kisses he’d never given her were concentrated in that one kiss. He kissed her as if he were never going to stop.