‘Commendable, I’m sure,’ Letitia Knight coolly murmured. ‘We’ll do lunch then. Two-ish. I’ll be back from shopping by then. Talk to your chef, will you? Something French, I think. You said Max is here?’

‘Yes, he’s visiting his family.’

‘I don’t know why you can’t meet some nice young woman like Max’s wife, Olivia. British, upper class, her family has been in government in Hong Kong for centuries.’

‘Not any more, Mother,’ Dominic drily noted.

‘Nonetheless, the point is you should find yourself a wife from a good family this time.’

A muscle twitched along Dominic’s jaw. ‘I’m not looking for a wife.’

‘That’s what you said last time and look what happened.’

‘That’s enough, Mother.’ His voice was pure ice.

‘Remember your manners, dear. What will Miss Hart think?’

Dominic’s nostrils flared. ‘If you’ll excuse us, Mother. We have work to do.’

‘Until two then.’ Her smile was model-perfect and just as artificial.

Looking grim, Dominic nodded and touched Kate’s arm. ‘This way, Miss Hart,’ he politely said. ‘My office is in back.’

As they moved away down the long corridor Kate wanted to say, ‘I’m sorry’, or better yet, take him in her arms and comfort him. No wonder he was hard as nails. He’d had to have been to survive a mother like that. ‘You don’t have to speak for me,’ she said. ‘I could have answered your mother.’

He shot her a look. ‘What’s the point? She’d just ask you another question.’

‘Maybe she’s really interested in your friends.’

‘Is that what you are?’ he said with a wicked grin. ‘My friend?’

‘I could have been.’

‘No you couldn’t have. Not with my mother. You saw her look at you – calculating how rude she could be. Best to let me deal with her.’

He suddenly went silent and she vowed not to bring up his mother again. It wasn’t a topic that brought a smile to his face. Nor was she going to ask any questions about his wife after that curt conversation between mother and son. Even though she’d really, really like to. But just because she’d had sex with Dominic Knight didn’t make them tell-me-your-deepest-feelings friends. In fact, it didn’t make them friends at all.

She was available, that’s all. Dominic Knight’s favourite kind of woman.

So she remained silent on their passage down a long hallway brightly carpeted in a red oriental rug, past dozens of gold-framed seascapes lining the cream brocade walls that reminded her of the yachting photos in the Palo Alto office. Obviously, he had a passion for the sea.

When they reached the end of the hall, Dominic opened a heavy oak door, waved her in, shut the door behind him and locked it. ‘Don’t be alarmed. I just don’t want’ – he blew out a breath – ‘any company.’

‘Are there really papers from Max?’

It took him a moment to respond. ‘No – I had to say something. We’ll go somewhere else after lunch. Please, sit down. I could have coffee brought in if you’d like,’ he said, his courtesy automatic despite his air of distraction.

‘I’m fine. I’ll just enjoy the view,’ she said, moving towards a bank of French doors that offered another spectacular ocean vista. The house was on a headland with sweeping sight lines.

A hushed silence descended.

Her back to the huge room, she heard him drop into one of the leather chairs in a silken whoosh of air, heard his soft sigh and a muted expletive.

‘I apologize for my mother,’ he said into the stillness. ‘And knowing her, I’ll apologize again after lunch.’

Kate turned and smiled faintly. ‘I don’t think she likes me.’

‘Don’t worry about it. I don’t think she likes me either.’ He grimaced, then rose from his chair and strode to a liquor table behind his desk. ‘Would you like a drink?’ he said over his shoulder.

‘It’s a little early for me.’

His laugh was acrid. ‘It’s never too early when you’re dealing with my mother.’

‘Do we have to do lunch?’

He turned to face her, a bottle in one hand, a glass in the other. ‘We only have to last an hour. I’ll have Leo come in with some emergency. I try not to openly war with my mother. Long story. I won’t bore you with the details.’ He held up the bottle. ‘Sure?’

She grinned. ‘It might not be wise. You know how mouthy I can be. I wouldn’t want to shock your mother.’

A little dip of his head, a sideways glance. ‘I might pay to see that.’

‘Don’t tempt me. You’ve never seen Nana in action. I’ve learned from a pro.’

His laugh this time was warm with humour. ‘You’re a cheeky little thing. Come.’ He set down the bottle. ‘I’ll show you my first editions.’

‘Are you trying to seduce me? Etchings, first editions?’

He lifted his glass to her and gave her a look that fired up all her erogenous zones. ‘Sorry. Not until she leaves.’

But his mother left late for her shopping, almost too late. Generally nerveless, Dominic was restive. With an apology to Kate, he booted up his computer and redirected his focus on his emails, dealing exclusively with those that didn’t require more than a yes or no answer. With his thoughts in tumult, he needed a simple task. Glancing at his watch, he realized Mrs Hawthorne would arrive soon and he sighed. The prospect of Mrs Hawthorne meeting his mother was particularly unnerving. Not for him. He couldn’t care less what anyone thought, including his mother. But Miss Hart’s reputation was another matter entirely. He felt responsible.