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not surprise me? Cat thought, sheltering behind her menu.

    ‘ Is that what ’ s known as a dignified silence? ’ her infuriating companion enquired, after a pause.

    ‘ On the contrary, ’ she returned. ‘ I was merely trying to choose between the melon and the chilled cucumber soup. ’

    ‘ And have you reached a decision? ’

    ‘ The soup, ’ she said. ‘ And grilled Dover sole, please. Off the bone. ’

    ‘ Make that two. ’ Liam turned to the hovering waiter. ‘ But I ’ ll start with the goat ’ s cheese tartlet. ’ He picked up the wine list and indicated his choice.

    ‘ Not steak? ’ Cat asked when they were alone, raising her brows in faint mockery. ‘ I had you down as a red meat man. ’

    Liam took a reflective sip of his whisky. ‘ Any other assumptions about me that you ’ d like to share? ’

    ‘ Well… ’ Cat considered. ‘ You ’ re certainly a risk-taker. ’

    He leaned back in his chair. ‘ Based on what? ’

    She shrugged. ‘ Pestering a female guest to spend the evening with you. I ’ m sure that isn ’ t part of your job description. ’ She tried another steely glance. ‘ How did you know I wouldn ’ t make a formal complaint about you to the management? ’

    ‘ Because you ’ re Cat, ’ he said softly. ‘ And all cats are curious. ’

    ‘ That ’ s it? ’ she queried scornfully. ‘ You staked your future here on some old saying? ’

    He grinned at her. ‘ Not just one. How about “ Faint heart ne ’ er won a lady fair ” ? ’

    ‘ You have not, ’ she said, ‘ won me. ’

    His grin widened into provocation. ‘ Perhaps I haven ’ t been trying. ’

    It was an open challenge, and she knew it. She ’ d had plenty of time to absorb her surroundings and realise that theirs was the most secluded table in the restaurant, practically screened from the rest of the diners. The candlelight, too, seemed to enclose them in this private microcosm. And although she could hear the murmur of voices and the chink of glassware and cutlery from the rest of the room, Cat still felt cut off. Isolated. With him.

    She said coolly, ‘ You have an inflated idea of your own charm. ’

    ‘ I ’ m sure your powers of resistance are equal to it. ’ Liam paused as the wine waiter arrived at the table with an ice bucket and a bottle of white burgundy. He tasted it, then nodded, and the waiter turned to Cat, filling her glass before she had a chance to refuse.

    As the man departed Liam lifted his glass. ‘ A toast, ’ he said quietly, his eyes meeting hers. Lingering enigmatically. ‘ To the promise of the evening. ’

    Cat felt her skin warming involuntarily under his gaze. She bit her lip, raising her own glass in turn with open reluctance. It was certainly not the toast of her choice, she thought broodingly.

    She hadn ’ t planned to drink any alcohol, either, but had to concede that it was a wonderful wine, filling her senses with its cool, seductive fragrance.

    Under other circumstances, she thought, with something approaching regret, this could indeed have been an evening to remember. As it was…

    She lifted her chin. ‘ Not just a risk-taker, ’ she commented with faint derision chilling her voice. ‘ But an optimist, too. ’

    ‘ Everyone is allowed to have their dreams. ’ He was still watching her. ‘ What do you dream about, Cat? ’

    ‘ Oh, I never remember, ’ she said untruthfully. ‘ Anyway, I think I ’ m too busy to dream. ’

    ‘ Really? ’ His brows lifted. ‘ So, what keeps you so occupied? ’

    Studiedly, she put down her glass. Gave him a brief, composed smile. ‘ Sorry, ’ she said. ‘ No more personal details. ’

    ‘ Won ’ t that tend to make conversation tricky? ’

    ‘ Not my problem. ’ She shrugged. ‘ After all, I didn ’ t choose to be here tonight. Which means I reserve the right to protect my privacy. No other options available. ’

    ‘ But hardly the ideal way to start a relationship. ’

    ‘