I spend the remainder of the day in preparation. After a visit to the gardens, I sprinkle our bed with rose petals. I spray cologne on the pillows. I set candles on the bedside tables. I prefer good, old-fashioned candles to anything that runs on electricity, despite paying hundreds of pounds to have the manor fitted out with all the wires and switches necessary to be able to access it. I search the whole house for yet more candles and set them up around the dining room. I personally select two bottles of Eduardo’s favourite wine from the cellar and instruct Francois’s attractive, young assistant, Daniel, to decant it.
Lester draws me a bath. I step in and sink down into its warm caress. I sigh and close my eyes as the warmth relaxes my muscles. When I’m ready, Lester, with soap and flann
