Spinning her around and pulling her against the hardness of his body, he kissed her with hungry desperation. Suddenly, the chilly, dark passageway was suffused in sunshine.

Taking her hand and dragging her round tower blocks of beer crates, Drew negotiated the bustling crowds, and out across the close-cropped grass of the owners’ car park.

Serried ranks of wildly expensive cars simmered in the sunshine, shielding glamorous people grouped round the open boots, all eating Fortnum & Mason picnics.

Leaning against a pale grey Rolls-Royce, Drew pulled her between his expensively clad thighs and kissed her again. ‘We did it,’ he whispered into the ostrich feathers. ‘We really bloody did it – oh, Christ.’ Spitting out feathers, he wrenched the hat from her curls and dumped it on the Rolls-Royce’s bonnet along with his grey silk top hat. ‘That’s better. I feel as high as if I’d eaten three square meals at the Cat and Fiddle.’

‘It was sensational,’ Maddy croaked, against his shoulder. ‘How’s Suzy?’

‘Just coming down to earth. She and Luke had to be prised apart so that he could ride in the Coronation Cup. He was absolutely delighted for her. It’s the first time I’ve ever known a jockey to be ecstatic at not winning.’

‘But, shouldn’t you be there … I mean, talking to people?’

‘You’re the only person I want to talk to. I made sure Dock of the Bay was all right, Kit and Rosa are dealing with press, and Caroline is revelling in reflected glory. They won’t miss me.’

Oblivious to everyone else, they kissed again, falling backwards on to the bonnet. Wanting him desperately, Maddy squirmed rapturously as his hand snaked up the fullness of her thigh.

‘I wish all these bloody people would disappear,’ Drew groaned.

‘So do I.’ She giggled into the silk cravat. ‘I’m wearing the red satin.’

The combination of laughter and well-polished car led to them sliding inelegantly sideways and landing beside a very surprised picnic party.

‘I’m so sorry.’ Drew picked himself up. Ex-colonels and their ladies bristled with red-faced indignation. Maddy smiled winningly as she scrambled to her feet.

‘Tonight,’ Drew whispered, grabbing their hats and Maddy’s hand before the party could have mass apoplexy, ‘we’ll celebrate the red satin. Right now, I guess I ought to be getting back to my seriously boring duties as husband and trainer. What about you?’

‘I’ll have to watch The Derby with Fran to stop her biting people. And as I’ve just won the cost of this dress back I might have a drink or two.’

Drew kissed her thoroughly again, and removed the pink rose with its grey foliage from his buttonhole. ‘One day I’ll buy you an entire florist’s shop.’

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-two

‘Where have you been?’ Fran was gnawing her fingers. ‘And what the bloody hell are you wearing?’