She was surprised at how much she wanted to see him. In Nairobi he had taken her to charity balls and rugby matches, and she had watched him play polo or joined him for tennis at Muthaiga Club. In between safaris they had occasionally met for dinner and he had kissed her on several occasions. But she had refused his attempts at further advances. Her future lay in London and there was no room in it for Anthony Chapman, hunter and safari guide. Now she was overcome with nostalgia for the smell of the dust and the sound of the first rain falling on scorched earth, the tussle between humanity and wildlife, the incomparable majesty of endless plains, the glare of snow on mountain peaks and the dazzle of blue ocean. In the smart London drawing room, she was pleased when Anthony’s hosts and their guests recognised her and were impressed by his choice of companion. As his slide photographs flashed across the screen she sat a little apart from the other guests and allowed the power and essence of Africa to reclaim her. Over dinner she enjoyed talking to his potential clients. Some had travelled with him before, while others were contemplating their first safari experience, and she used all her charm and powers of persuasion to help him sell his vision of the land he loved.

‘Nice work,’ he whispered into her ear, as the evening drew to a close. ‘Between us we’ve really got them going. Two of the couples will definitely sign up. How about dinner tomorrow evening?’

When she woke the next morning, the world seemed changed. The day dragged and she whiled away the last hours making an extra effort with her appearance. Anthony arrived early, bringing flowers and chocolates from Fortnum & Mason. He could not hide his admiration for her exquisite beauty. He was wearing a suit that was definitely old-fashioned. His shoes were polished but slightly scuffed, and they looked as though he had trudged through the bush in them once too often. In the crowded restaurant that Camilla selected he looked slightly out of place, but he was amused by the fact that everyone recognised her. She was delighted to find that he was unfazed and completely at ease in the glossy surroundings.

‘I don’t suppose you’ll be back in Kenya any time soon, now that you’ve arrived in the halls of fame. Just as you predicted.’ His eyes crinkled at the corners as she protested. ‘Not that I’m surprised. You were made for all this razzmatazz. But maybe one day you’ll need a break, and then you’ll be tempted by the idea of a few weeks in the bundu.’