BIENVENIDA BUCK, 51, author of Sex, Beauty And Power, is famed for her affairs with wealthy men, including former Chief of Defence Staff Sir Peter Harding, as well as the lucrative kiss-and-tells that followed. She says:
Like every little girl, I grew up with fairy tales in which love overcame all obstacles. The hero was always so handsome and charming that the fact he was heir to a fortune and had his very own castle barely got a mention.
I dreamed that I would one day marry for love and that the size of my husband's wallet wouldn't be a consideration.
As a young woman I followed my heart and looked for a fairy tale of my own, believing that with romance fuelling our passion, we would make the most wonderful lovers. But three times I was betrayed by the men I loved -men who were not wealthy- and that's when I woke up to the reality that if love dies, money endures.
So I started looking for a man I could respect - a man with the means and generosity to treat me with the respect I deserve. And, to my surprise, I learned what has taken scientists until now to discover: that wealthy men make better lovers.
I wouldn't say that it is their wealth, per se, that attracts me and keeps me satisfied. But I am attracted to men who are strong, successful and powerful, and money is the barometer by which strength, success and power are measured.
Since the dawn of time (long before silly romantic notions were invented) women have been drawn to men on the basis of these attributes. In the beginning, they were measured by a man's ability to hunt. In the 21st century, the real catches are the men who earn plenty of money.
It could be possible that those who are successful in other areas of their lives are also technically superior in bed than the average man, but I doubt it.
The reasons why women enjoy sex more - and, according to this research, have more orgasms with wealthier lovers - is more complex. Smart women make love to a man's mind, so going to bed with one of life's winners is exciting, regardless of his sexual performance.
It is flattering that such a man would want to be with you. So potent an aphrodisiac is his wealth and success that before he has proved his bedroom prowess, the woman is closer to a euphoric state than she would be with a less wealthy partner.
The key to success in life and business is the ability to control your emotions. When they move from the boardroom to the bedroom, successful men know the difference between love and sex and are better at using their heads instead of their hearts.
Chief of Defence Sir Peter Harding and Lady Bienvenda Buck kissing outside the Dorchester Hotel in London
There can be no doubt that good sex also depends a great deal on the way that each person feels about themselves.
Not only does a man's success and money breed confidence within himself (which often translates into better love-making) but it can be a boost to the woman's confidence, too.
We know the wealthiest men in the world have the pick of women (how else do we explain the number of fat, ugly old men capable of seducing the most beautiful girls on the planet?) So it follows that if you find yourself in bed with such a man, you will feel good about yourself.
I know that whenever I have had a relationship with a powerful man, I have felt proud of myself for it. Not because he had money, but because this man, desired by other women, had chosen to spend his time with me. I was worth it.
I'm sure such confidence inspires better sex and makes a woman more able to enjoy it to the full. I suspect, too, that a woman who knows she has a man worth hanging on to will make a little more effort in the bedroom.
She wants to impress him and, as a result, it is likely to be more successful and enjoyable. If she is able to engage with him, it will make him a better lover.
This brings me on to the last (and possibly) most likely reason why women who sleep with rich men claim to have more orgasms than those with less wealthy partners.
I suspect they know the secret to keeping a wealthy man is to pamper his ego. Unlike a man, a woman's sex drive changes from day to day, according to her hormones or the pressures upon her at home or work. This prevents her from enjoying sex in the same way, and to the same extent, every day of her life.
However, she understands that an orgasm - or a well-faked one - is a simple form of flattery; an effective way to stroke his ego and make him feel appreciated.
This may be the reason (or, at least, part of it) why wealthier men appear to be more successful and more capable lovers.
It's no coincidence that in this time of credit crunch and economic crisis, as rich men become suddenly poorer, marriages are falling apart at record rates.
The dynamic of any relationship in which financial stability is an important factor - as I believe it always should be - will change completely the minute money becomes a problem.
And as their female partners will soon discover, without money, romance quickly dies and all that is left is unpaid bills. That's certainly no aphrodisiac.
