‘Jesus Christ.’ He jumped to his feet and took a cigar from the humidor. He fussed over lighting it, as if making an opportunity to collect himself. ‘I’ve never wanted to do this with anyone I was doing business with,’ he said, his words far more reasonable than his tone. ‘But I don’t see why it should interfere with our professional relationship. It could make it stronger. Working as a team. We’d be great, Caroline.’

She reached for her drink and took a sip. ‘That’s what I’d like too. But I need a little more time to get used to the idea. I’m not saying never, I’m just saying not tonight.’ She looked away. ‘And there’s another thing too.’

‘Oh? What might that be?’ He glared mutinously at her.

‘Katerina,’ she said softly.

His face closed down in the tight mask she’d seen the first time they’d met. ‘What about Katerina?’ he eventually said.

‘You’re the one who said how much I look like her.’ Carol tried for a pleading expression. ‘I need to be sure it’s really me you want to sleep with, not another version of Katerina.’

His eyes clouded and his shoulders drooped. ‘You think I haven’t asked myself the same question?’

‘I don’t know.’ Realizing she’d found the button to push that had turned his anger to vulnerability, Carol let herself relax a fraction.

‘The first time I saw you, once I got over the shock, I told myself I would never lay a finger on you because it would be sick. But the more I’ve got to know you, the more I’ve got to like you. Now when I look at you, I see Caroline, not Katerina. You have to believe that.’

‘I want to believe it, Tadzio. But I think I need a little more time.’

He folded his arms across his chest. ‘I understand. Take the time you need. It’s not like there’s any rush. I’m sorry if I came on too strong.’

She shook her head. ‘There’s nothing to apologize for. At least it’s made us clear the air. Find out where we stand.’

He managed a faint smile. ‘I have a good feeling about this, Caroline.’

‘Me too, Tadzio. But I want to be sure.’ She straightened her dress and stood up. ‘And now I think I should go home.’

His light was still burning, the curtains wide open. It had been the first thing Carol had checked as she stepped out of Tadeusz’s Mercedes and said good night to his driver. She felt dishevelled and faintly dirty from her scramble on the sofa, but she didn’t care. The need to see Tony was too strong for her to want to waste time restoring herself to a pristine state.