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ceiling, while at the foot of the bed the gold theme was continued with a twisted rope pattern that led from each of the side poles to meet in the middle in a two-feet-tall figure of two lovers embracing. The blue and white padded headboard was unusually high and surrounded by a design that matched the entwined gold rope at the opposite end.
    The en suite bathroom was a total contrast. The floor was covered in white rugs and the bath was white enamel set in a solid wood surround and shaped to fit the body, broad at one end, then narrowing at the end where the taps were. It was also unexpectedly deep, and Harriet wondered if there was enough hot water for everyone in the house to fill similar baths.
    On the walls were tiny pen and ink etchings, all framed in wood that matched the bath surround. On closer inspection Harriet could see that each etching showed a couple engaged in some form of love-making, most of them the kind of positions that made her ache at the very prospect.
    At her bedside table was a telephone, and on a sudden impulse she picked it up and dialled Ella’s number. For once it wasn’t the answerphone and Ella was clearly delighted to hear from her.
    As soon as Harriet lifted her receiver a light flashed on the phone in Lewis’s study and he carefully picked up his own handset, then sat listening with interest to Harriet’s conversation.
    ‘Ella, you were right!’ she said dramatically.
    ‘About what?’ asked Ella, intrigued by Harriet’s unusual enthusiasm.
    ‘Rowena’s husband. He is incredibly handsome, and there’s something about him I can’t explain it but it just makes you feel weird all over when he looks at you.’
    ‘Nice weird?’
    ‘Of course! I know now that I was right to leave James. I never once lusted after him in all the years I knew him!’
    ‘You mean you lust after Lewis James? Harriet, he’s a respectable married man!’ laughed Ella.
    ‘I know, disgraceful isn’t it? I can’t help it, Ella. I’d give anything to know what it was like to have a man like that make love to me. Still, I’ll settle for living in the same house.’
    ‘I wouldn’t,’ said Ella bluntly, and in his study Lewis smiled. ‘You should go for it,’ continued Ella. ‘It could be difficult though, he’s not what you’d call a ladies’ man. As far as I know from the gossip columns he’s been faithful to Rowena Farmer since they married, and word has it that even she comes second to his work.’
    ‘Sounds quite a challenge,’ said Harriet.
    ‘Let me know if you make any progress!’ laughed Ella. ‘What are your rooms like?’
    ‘I’ve only seen my bedroom and bathroom, and they’re out of this world. I’m sure the living-room will be just as grand.’
    ‘Better than working for Mr Grant, I take it?’ queried Ella.
    ‘No comparison!’ agreed Harriet. ‘I’d better go now. Oh yes, one thing. Did you know Rowena Farmer had a half-brother called Chris?’
    Ella hesitated. ‘Now you come to mention it I did read something about him once. I think he only gets to act in her films, you know – a kind of hanger-on. Why, is he there too?’
    ‘Yes, but he doesn’t look anything like her. In fact, I wasn’t that struck on him.’
    ‘That’s because you only had eyes for Lewis,’ laughed Ella. ‘I’ll have to go now. I’m auditioning in half an hour, but keep me up to date, won’t you?’
    ‘I certainly will,’ Harriet assured her and when she replaced the receiver she failed to notice the faint click as Lewis did the same.
    Her living-room was equally luxurious, the colour theme an unusual burnt orange with cream furniture, including an antique chaise longue and the largest armchair Harriet had ever seen.
    When she went back into her bedroom the maid was unpacking her clothes and hanging them in the cupboards. ‘Miss Farmer would like to see you downstairs in the conservatory when you’re ready,’ she informed Harriet.
    ‘I’ll go now,’ Harriet said quickly. ‘Where