Private Collection

The chauffeur stood still for a moment, then moved his broad hand up towards the button on his tight uniform jacket. His voice was low and hypnotic.

''I can give you anything you want, Francesca,'' he whispered. ''And I think I know what you want.''

Behind an overgrown garden by the sea, a mysterious crumbling mansion harbours a tantalising secret. This fortress of grandeur is home to fading socie...