Mistral’s long lashes veiled her eyes and swept her cheeks, then she turned away.

‘But you are not going,’ Sir Robert said desperately when he saw that was her intention. ‘Have I said something to offend you?

‘I think you are laughing at me,’ Mistral said in a very small voice.

‘I promise I was doing nothing of the sort,’ Sir Robert answered. ‘I was speaking the truth. Don’t you realise, you ridiculous child, how lovely you are?’

She looked up at him then and he saw the colour rise in her cheeks.

‘Nobody has ever told me so,’ she said after a moment.

‘But they must have done,’ Sir Robert protested. ‘You must have met men sometimes – even in your Convent.’

Mistral smiled, and there was a hint of mischief in her eyes.

‘Yes, indeed, I have met men before, but they were either the Priests, who came to perform the services at the Convent, or the parents of the other pupils, who visited us once a year on prize giving day.’

‘And they did not tell you, you were beautiful?’ Sir Robert enquired.

‘They did not, and therefore I think you must be mistaken.’

‘On the contrary, I am merely in a better position to judge than they. Shall I tell you how beautiful you are?’

His voice was low and unexpectedly deep.

Mistral’s eyes dropped before his and once again she turned towards the door.

‘I must go,’ she said. ‘Please, please do not keep me.’

There was no mistaking her determination this time to escape him, but he reached out and caught her hand, drawing her flying feet to a standstill and holding her fingers in his.

‘Promise me one thing before you go – that I may see you again?’

‘I can promise nothing,’ Mistral replied. ‘You do not understand. Aunt Emilie would be very angry indeed if she found out that I had spoken to anyone.’

‘Don’t let her bully you,’ Sir Robert said.

‘But I must do what she wants,’ Mistral protested. ‘She is my aunt, besides I am – a little frightened of her, I think.’

‘If you want me, you know where to find me,’ Sir Robert said.

He bent his head and kissed her hand. The skin was soft and cool. Then he had a quick impression of surprise in her eyes, of the colour rising once again in her cheeks, before with a sudden flurry and rustle of the flounces of her gown she was gone. Sir Robert made no attempt to follow her. Instead, for several moments he walked up and down the little reading room.

When he looked up, it was to see Lord Drayton standing in the doorway.

‘What on earth are you doing here, Robert?’ he asked. ‘I have been looking for you everywhere. Come and have a drink. I have lost a packet. I shall try my luck again later.’

‘A drink is what I need,’ Sir Robert answered.

‘Has Violet gone home?’ Lord Drayton enquired.