For the first time, as Antonio’s eyes flickered open, Bel saw a hint of a smile in them. ‘Yes, you’re right, I do,’ he agreed. ‘And you, princesa, are the one thing in my life that I am truly proud of.’

‘Then you will hear me when I tell you, just as Mãe would, that you are not yet beaten. Please Pai, rouse yourself, and together we can work out what is to be done. I will help you in any way I can. I have my own jewellery and Mãe’s, which you know she left to me. Surely if we sold it, that would raise a considerable amount for you to put into a new business?’

‘If there is anyone with the cash left to buy anything at the end of this financial holocaust,’ Antonio said brutally. ‘Now Izabela, I thank you for coming and I am embarrassed that you have had to see me like this. And I promise you that I will rise from my bed the moment you leave. But right now, I would simply like to be alone to think.’

‘You promise, Pai? I warn you, I will call Gabriela later to make sure you have done as you are promising me. And I’ll be back tomorrow to see how you are.’ Bel bent to kiss him and he smiled at her.

‘Thank you, princesa. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

Bel spoke briefly to Gabriela and said she’d telephone her later, then climbed into the waiting car and directed Jorge to Madame Duchaine’s salon in Ipanema. Telling him as usual to return for her at six, Bel went through the rigmarole of waiting until he had pulled away, then turned from the doorstep and walked as fast as she could in the direction of Laurent’s apartment building.

‘Chérie!’ Laurent said as he pulled her through the door and into his arms, covering her face and neck with kisses. ‘You have no idea how much I have missed you.’

Melting into him with relief, Bel did not protest as he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. And for a few precious minutes, all the dreadful thoughts whirling around her head disappeared in the ecstasy of being one with him again.

Afterwards, they lay together in the tangle of sheets and Bel answered many of the gentle questions Laurent put to her about the past few weeks.

‘And what of you, Laurent?’ she asked eventually. ‘You have managed to keep yourself busy?’

‘Sadly, since Alessandra Silveira, I have been unable to secure a further commission. Everyone is nervous about the situation with the coffee in Brazil and the stock market in New York. They are no longer spending their money on frippery such as sculptures. So for the past month I have done little more than eat, drink and take a swim in the sea. Izabela,’ Laurent said, his face becoming serious, ‘apart from the fact that the situation in Brazil worsens by the day, I feel that I have stayed here as long as I can. I miss France and it is time that I stopped treading water. Chérie, forgive me, but I must return home.’ He reached for her hand and kissed it. ‘The question is, will you come with me?’