I don't care much for diamonds,' Nicola had told him. 'Have you ever been offered any?' he had asked, and he had been making fun of her, his face mocking. 'Not that I can remember,' Nicola had admitted calmly. 'And how would an offer be received?' he had asked, as though he knew the answer. 'With a kick in the teeth,' Nicola had said, meeting his eye.