Dominic smiled and nodded at a couple of guests as they trotted up the terrace steps and into the house, laughing together as they went. ‘If you’re serious, you should come and find me when you’re sober.’ Elizabeth felt his hand slide down her back and cup her buttock.

‘I’m not that drunk,’ she said.

‘You’re not that sober either.’ He looked up towards the terrace. ‘And here comes your husband.’

‘You two are looking very guilty,’ said Harry as he approached.

Elizabeth gulped but realised he was smiling at them.

‘I was just looking after your wife. Keeping the lecherous wolves at bay,’ said Dominic. He gave Elizabeth’s backside another squeeze before sliding his hand away.

‘And drinking the champagne,’ said Harry, nodding towards the now empty bottle.

‘Ah, yes, the champagne. Not a bad year.’

‘Where’s Lisa?’ Harry asked.

‘Saskia’s puked everywhere. I would have offered to go myself but I can’t deal with sick.’ Dominic grimaced. ‘Natalie’s gone too. She was hacked off that Owen’s got himself pissed so early.’

Harry sighed. ‘He’s only got one setting – a hundred mph all the time where drink’s concerned.’

‘I told Natalie we’d scoop him up soon and take him home. I’ll have to speak to him tomorrow. It’s all getting out of hand.’

Elizabeth stopped listening as the two men discussed their brother and turned her thoughts to the proposition from Dominic. She replayed the conversation to check she wasn’t reading too much into the comment or, indeed, misreading it completely, but no, she was certain she hadn’t got hold of the wrong end of the stick. It was a very appealing proposition, she had to admit.

She spent the rest of the night keeping one eye on Dominic and being attentive to Harry. She didn’t want to arouse his suspicions if she was indeed going to accept Dominic’s suggestion. By the time Dominic and Harry had managed to persuade their brother to call it a night, it was gone midnight.

‘I’m ready for bed myself,’ said Harry, when he found Elizabeth.

‘Oh, don’t be such a party pooper. The evening has only just started,’ she said.

‘You’ve had quite your fair share of booze as well.’

‘Who are you? The alcohol police? Lighten up, Harry. Let your hair down and enjoy yourself.’ Elizabeth then made a point of hitting the dance floor and throwing herself energetically around to the music.