‘A completely unnecessary traffic accident. Julia wasn’t even in a car. She was standing in line at Starbucks when an elderly man stepped on his accelerator instead of his brake, drove through the front window and ran over Julia and two other people.’

‘How awful.’

‘Dominic fell apart. He withdrew from the world, spent a year sailing from one port to another. In fact, Max met him in Cape Town where Dominic was having a mast repaired. It was all quite sad.’

Kate couldn’t visualized Dominic incapacitated. He was so powerful, commanding, assured. ‘He must have loved her very much,’ she said, a painful anguish settling in the pit of her stomach.

‘They were inseparable. It was a beautiful marriage; they were partners.’ Olivia smiled. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve seen any pictures of her. Oh dear, forgive me. How rude of me. As if you want to talk about Dominic’s wife when he’s so enthralled with you.’

‘No, I’d like to know. He doesn’t talk about his life. Not that I know him very well.’ She blushed furiously. ‘I mean I’ve only known him for a few days.’

‘He adores you. Don’t blush. I think it’s sweet. And to be perfectly honest, it’s wonderful seeing him smile again.’

‘I have seen pictures. His wife was very beautiful.’

‘Julia was almost as tall as Dominic. They made a stunning couple.’ Olivia slapped her hand over her mouth. ‘Stop me. I’ve said enough.’

‘No, really, you’re the only one I can ask.’

‘Dominic doesn’t talk, does he? Julia complained about that. His childhood was very unhappy, apparently. Max said you’ve met the mother so I don’t have to tell you much more.’

‘I didn’t get the impression he’s close to his father either.’

Olivia snorted a fine mist of gin and tonic. ‘The understatement of the millennium. Dominic despises his father. He won’t stay in the same room with him. Max said they walked into a private club in London not too long ago where the elder Knight was having dinner. Dominic made a scene. He told the steward that either his father goes or he would. It was a simple decision for the club steward. Dominic has so much more money than his father. And his father isn’t a poor man.’ She paused, shot a quick glance towards Dominic before turning back to Kate. ‘What I’m about to say is probably the result of one too many gin and tonics, but I was wondering if you’re aware of Dominic’s … well – there’s no other word for it – vices.’

Kate’s cheeks flamed bright red.

‘I see you are.’

‘I researched Knight Enterprises before my interview. It’s standard operating procedure. I found a video. He’s since had it taken down.’

‘I just didn’t want you to be surprised. And men will be men. I’m no prude.’

‘I found it a little shocking at first.’ Kate kept it simple, but she could feel her face heat up again.

Fortunately Olivia’s attention had been drawn away. She swung back and smiled. ‘See Dominic over there, see that woman clinging to his arm? You might want to go and save him. The Principessa thinks she has special rights to Dominic because they were friends once.’

‘Friends?’

Olivia shrugged. ‘Whatever Dominic calls them.’

‘Maybe she does have special rights.’ Dominic had been surrounded by women all evening and he hadn’t seemed unhappy.

‘No, she doesn’t,’ Olivia firmly said. ‘In fact, Dominic told Max to save him from Antonia if necessary. She can be difficult. But I don’t see Max. He must be in another room. Would you like to intervene or should I?’

‘Are you sure?’ Kate quickly glanced towards the group of people, the woman hanging on Dominic’s arm movie-star glitzy. And he didn’t look like he was fighting her off. ‘I don’t want to embarrass anyone.’

‘Well, first, you can’t embarrass Dominic. Second, Antonia doesn’t know what the word means. She stole her current husband from under his wife’s nose at Cannes two years ago, without so much as a blush. And third, if you ask me, Dominic looks as though he’s trying his best to ignore Antonia, her silicon-enhanced breasts jammed into his arm notwithstanding.’ A faint lift of her pale brows, a flare of her aristocratic nostrils, a teasing smile. ‘So either you or I have to ride to the rescue.’

Dominic glanced up as Kate approached, although he continued listening to an older man who was the centre of attention in the small cluster of guests. Save for Antonia, her adoring gaze was fixed on Dominic.

There was no question why Dominic had been interested in the Principessa, Kate decided. She was flawless from the top of her glistening black, carefully tousled hair, past her dark-kohled eyes and full-lipped pouty mouth, down her tall, shapely body to her long, sleek legs and perfectly manicured toes that were slipped into expensive Louboutin heels. Only a few inches shorter than Dominic in her spike heels, she was glamorous with a capital G.

Kate stopped at Dominic’s elbow not currently in Antonia’s grip. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt you, Mr Knight, but there’s an attack on your Romanian server. I was just notified. It’s urgent.’

Antonia glared at her.

Dominic’s gaze narrowed. ‘Impossible. We took care of it.’

Kate tried to assume a modest, demure expression. ‘A renewed attack isn’t unusual, Mr Knight,’ she said with a small deferential dip of her head. ‘I wouldn’t bother you, sir, but you’re the only one with the password.’