was even named after a nineteenth-century explorer.’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t believe it. There was never an explorer called Bella. What’s your real name? Augustus?’
‘You’re wrong there. Isabella Bird was the first female fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
‘Never heard of her.’
‘You’ve missed a good thing,’ said Bella with enthusiasm. ‘She was a phenomenon. Half the time she reclined on a couch or stayed at home with Mama and did good works. And the other half she would pack her bags and go travelling. After Mama died, she went round the world. She was passionate about horses and rode all through the Wild West in the days when it still was wild. Possibly had an affair with a Davy Crockett type and maybe another one in Japan with her translator, who was less than half her age. She went to Persia, Ladakh, Tibet, Hawaii, all round the States. Wrote some pretty good books. My father always says she was an anti-colonialist and bent Gladstone’s ear about it.’
Bella stopped dead, suddenly realising where her enthusiasm had led her.
‘Er … I probably ought to tell you. I mean, it’s not going to matter, you’ll probably never meet him, but my father is a conviction Republican. Doesn’t hold with monarchy. Or empire. But mostly he just hates kings and queens.’
Richard stared at her for an unnerving minute. She had the impression of his brain working very fast to process a lot of new information. He said slowly, ‘You mean, he wouldn’t approve of me.’
‘Probably not. No.’
‘I see.’
‘Nothing personal,’ she added hurriedly.
He nodded. She could still sense his brain racing. ‘So you’re not going to tell him you’re seeing me?’
That sounded underhand somehow. ‘Well, I don’t see him very often, and he’s not a great one for writing. The subject probably won’t come up.’
‘Don’t see him? How come?’
She explained about her parents’ divorce and moving to Hampshire with stepfather Kevin.
‘But you still try to keep up the Greenwood traditions?’
‘Yes, I suppose so. I was sort of always Daddy’s girl.’
‘Ah. Do you ever travel with your father?’
She was shocked. ‘Good heavens, no. He wouldn’t have me. You need full survival training to go anywhere with Finn. Not to mention the patience of a saint, an orderly mind, and a determination to Stick to the Plan. Finn tends to be impetuous.’
Suddenly Richard was amused. ‘Very clear-sighted,’ he murmured.
She was conscience-stricken. ‘Do I sound mean?’
He shook his head. ‘Beautifully honest.’
‘Oh. Good. I think.’
‘Good, definitely.’ He paused. ‘So you’re Daddy’s girl but you’re not going to tell him about me?’
Bella looked down at her plate. This was the crunch then. The point in each first date when you had to decide whether there was going to be a second one.
She swallowed. ‘I’ve been away a long time and I’m still a bit disoriented. I need to find my feet again. Get a job, see where I’m going. I’m not looking for a full on relationship—’
He sat very still. ‘So thank you for a nice evening and goodbye?’
NO, screamed something inside her.
‘Does it have to be so black-and-white? Can’t we just enjoy each other’s company and see where it goes?’
He looked at her for a long, unnerving minute.
‘I mean, do you usually rush off to tell your parents every time you meet a new girlfriend?’
‘I’m twenty-nine years old. I don’t often tell my parents anything. Anyway, there are plenty of people to do it for me. Starting with the Press.’
‘Oh.’ She hadn’t thought of that. ‘Of course. Like that piece in the Despatch on Monday. That’s when I first recognised you, actually.’
He pulled a face. ‘Well, at least we had two days when I was just me.’
‘Hmm.’ She was remembering the blonde in the backless dress. ‘Who was the girl you left with?’
‘Chloe Lenane. Our families have known each other for ever. Her aunt is one of my mother’s ladies-in-waiting. She’s like another sister.’
He raised a hand and a waiter materialised beside them. ‘Would you like anything more? A brandy? Coffee? Something sticky?’
She didn’t care. But she knew the evening wasn’t ending yet. ‘Anything.’
‘Madeira for my guest,’ he said to the waiter. ‘Black coffee for me.’
When the man had gone Richard leaned back. ‘Do you know what has been really different about tonight?’
She shook her head.
‘You haven’t once said, “So what is it like being Royal?”’
‘I’ve talked all about myself,’ said Bella, instantly conscience-stricken.
‘You’re missing the point. You answered my questions. You asked some of your own. As if this was just like any other date you’ve ever