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hire some big-hitter from London. Someone who won’t run scared of the great Count Di Salis.
    ‘And now—today—I get back from shopping,’ she added furiously, ‘to find this—this bloody telephone message, saying
    that he’s arriving in England in forty-eight hours time and I can expect to see him the following day.’
    She swallowed. ‘What’s worse, he actually dared to tell Penny that he couldn’t wait to see me again, and now she’s
    being all arch and asking which room she should prepare for him, and what would he like for dinner’
    ‘I didn’t know she was such a romantic,’ Simon muttered.
    Emily glared at him. ‘He flirts with her,’ she said stonily. ‘Outrageously.’ She shook her head. ‘Oh, God, Simon, what am
    I going to do And please don’t say “I told you so.”’
    Simon was silent for a moment. ‘Have you called him back’
    She shook her head. ‘I came straight here to ask your advice.’
    Simon chewed on his lip. He seemed, Emily thought, as much on edge as she was herself.
    ‘Why not get in touch with him’ he said at last. ‘See if you can head him off by agreeing to his quickie divorce.’
    ‘Never,’ she said fiercely.
    ‘But what other solution is there—apart from running away, of course’
    Emily lifted her head and stared at him. ‘Simon,’ she said. ‘Darling, you’re a genius.’ She nodded, her eyes narrowing.
    ‘When he arrives, I just won’t be there. Penny can tell him quite truthfully that I’ve gone away for an indefinite period and
    left no forwarding address.’
    Her mouth curled. ‘The world of finance is bound to collapse without him, so he won’t want to hang around, waiting for
    my return. Apart from anything else, it would make him look very silly,’ she added reflectively.
    ‘And, as soon as he’s out of the way again, I can get the annulment started.’ She gave a small exultant laugh. ‘Everything
    beautifully sorted.’
    ‘But where will you go’ Simon asked. ‘You haven’t got long to decide.’
    ‘Somewhere that he won’t even dream of looking.’ She thought for a moment, her bottom lip caught in her teeth. ‘I can’t
    use my passport, of course. I’m sure he could trace me. So it will have to be some incredibly unlikely place in this
    country.’
    There was another silence, then Simon said slowly, ‘Actually, I might be able to help you there. Some people I know
    have a weekend cottage in Scotland—a village miles from anywhere called Tullabrae. They rent the place out when
    they’re not using it.’
    ‘Scotland’ Emily repeated. ‘I don’t suppose Raf even knows where that is.’ She looked at him, her eyes sparkling. ‘Is it
    empty at the moment’
    Simon looked towards the window, at the expanse of wintry sky, and pulled a face. ‘Almost certainly, I’d say.’
    ‘God, it could save my life.’ She thought rapidly. ‘I could rent it for two weeks. That will give Raf plenty of time to give
    me up as a bad job and go back to Paris or Hong Kong or wherever he’s operating from at the moment.’ She put an
    eager hand on his arm. ‘Could you contact them for me—make the arrangements Tell them I’ll pay cash.’
    He looked down at the carpet. ‘Yes—I suppose so.’ His tone sounded strange. ‘If that’s what you really want.’
    ‘Well, of course it is.’ She was puzzled. ‘It sounds ideal. And as you say, I haven’t much time.’
    He made no reply and she looked at him, frowning a little. ‘Darling, is something wrong You’ve been odd ever since I
    got here.’
    ‘I’m sorry.’ He summoned a smile. ‘It’s just—Scotland in January. The weather could be tricky.’
    ‘All the better,’ Emily said triumphantly. ‘Count Di Salis prefers his snow in the Italian Alps, designer style. The domestic
    kind won’t appeal to him at all.’
    For a moment he hesitated, then got to his feet. ‘Then I’ll email them now. Make the deal.’ He paused at the door. ‘Shall
    I ask Tracey to bring you a