And Dominic groaned.

‘You only have to smile for two hours, Dominic, and it’s over,’ Olivia lightly said.

He sighed. ‘I’ll do my best, Liv.’

Kate glanced at him, her eyebrows going up delicately. ‘It’s a good cause. I’m sure two hours will go by quickly.’

Dominic’s sharp look gave way to a grin. ‘My conscience,’ he drolly said.

Olivia smiled. ‘Then how nice that you brought Katherine along, Dominic. The philharmonic is grateful. Shall we?’ She waved toward the entrance hall.

Moments later the small party was standing near the door, waiting for their guests to arrive – the ladies with a glass of champagne in hand, the men with whiskies. ‘You have my permission to escape after two hours, Dominic, whether guests are still here or not,’ Olivia said with a gracious smile. ‘And thank you again for stepping into the breach at such short notice.’

‘My pleasure, Liv. Now tell me, who needs convincing to take out their chequebooks?’

As Olivia began to run through a list of people, Dominic nodded from time to time, commented on one or two, asking for particulars, emptied his glass, casually held it out for a waiter to take from him without shifting his attention from Olivia. ‘I think I have it. A hundred grand from the two ambassadors and the Principessa, fifty from Ng, Chen, Tsui, Dan Lee, Malcolm, the Dunhams, Schultz, and ten from all the rest. You’re going to take in a haul tonight, Liv.’

‘That’s the idea.’

‘I hope this won’t be too boring for you, Katherine.’ His voice softened, his gaze for her alone. ‘If it is,’ he said, suddenly speaking in a conversational tone as though he’d not just made her blush, ‘go upstairs and make yourself comfortable. You can’t be expected to talk to all these strangers. I’d prefer not talking to them, but’ – a shrug, a quick grin for Olivia – ‘I’m happy to help you out, Liv.’ He took Kate’s hand. ‘Promise you’ll leave if it gets tedious. But not for too long. I’ll go into withdrawal.’

Her blush deepened. ‘I promise,’ she said, a slight tremor in her reply. ‘Don’t worry.’

‘Hey.’ He dipped his head, held her gaze. ‘Are you all right?’

She dragged in a breath, smiled tightly. ‘I hadn’t thought about all the people – looking and staring. Until now that we’re actually here.’

‘How about a breath of fresh air? If you’ll excuse us,’ he said without looking at either Max or Liv. ‘Come.’ He began to move away, gently drawing Kate with him. ‘We’ll check out the stars from the terrace.’

‘Well, well, well,’ Liv said on a slow exhalation as the couple walked away hand in hand. ‘Katherine’s definitely more than a playmate, considerably more. ‘I’ll go into withdrawal. Really?’ There’s no doubt in my mind that she’ll be leaving with Dominic on Tuesday. And Antonia’s going to be really pissed when she sees that shocking display of affection. I’d better see that Penzance does his duty to crown and country because Dominic might very well be rude. He can be.’

‘You think?’ Max had seen him tear competitors to shreds with a few razor-sharp remarks. ‘Although he did promise to be nice enough to Antonia to get your donation.’

‘I’m not sure he’s capable of such guile tonight. He’s like a changed man. He was never like that even with Julia … protective and solicitous, guarding that young girl against the cold, cruel world. Do you think that’s her appeal. Her naivety?’

‘I doubt it. Miss Hart is pretty no-nonsense and assertive.’

‘I didn’t see that.’

‘She can be.’

‘Just like he can be a huge prick but he’s not with her. I don’t know, Max. I think we’re seeing something astonishing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in love with her. She certainly is with him.’

‘No!’

‘For heaven’s sake, Max. You men never get over the terror of that word.’

‘I beg your pardon.’

‘I don’t mean you don’t love me, darling. I just mean Dominic is going to call his feelings everything and anything but love. And his little Katherine will try to disguise her feelings because, as you say, she’s not stupid. Dominic would bolt.’ She uttered a little trill of laughter. ‘What fun it will be watching them tonight.’

‘Or watching Dominic fend off Antonia in order not to anger Katherine.’

‘Plus we’ll be taking in a few million for a good cause.’ Olivia threw her arms open wide in playful drama. ‘Won’t it be grand!’

Dominic had taken off his jacket and wrapped it around Kate’s shoulders before they walked outside. Holding her close, her back to his chest, his arms around her, they stood in the lee of the wall, the sparkling lights of Hong Kong harbour and the mainland laid out before them in a radiant panorama.

‘I didn’t think about all the people staring. I thought it was enough to stay away from you,’ he said, his chin resting lightly on her head. ‘I don’t know what I was thinking. Any little bit of gossip always stokes them.’

‘Don’t worry.’ She didn’t want to be ungracious or difficult. ‘I’ll manage just fine. I’ll ignore the stares and mingle.’

‘I don’t want you to mingle. Jesus,’ he grumbled, ‘that’s the last thing I want you to do. Every man here is going to hit on you.’ His arms tightened around her. ‘Stay by me, we’ll deal with the gossip.’