Robert had been slightly taken aback when she told him her real age. She had a certain sophistication about her, self-confidence, and she was rather forthright. Blunt even.

He took a deep breath, and said, “Whatever you say, seventeen years is a huge age difference. You grimaced when you explained your brother-in-law is older than your sister.”

“Oh, did you notice that! Well, Jean-Claude is like an old man, behaves like one, and he’s not stunning like you.”

He chuckled. “Oh, Vanessa, you do take my breath away at times. But to continue. There is an even greater impediment. I am married.”

“I know that. I know you have two sons, Quentin and Christian, at prep school. Your wife doesn’t come to London, anymore. Much of the time you live alone at your beautiful house in Grosvenor Square, when you’re not in Ireland or Yorkshire.”

“My goodness, do you have some sort of dossier on me?” he asked in a mild voice, rather pleased with her honesty.

“Of course not. And I’ve never asked Caroline or anyone anything about you. All I’ve told you is just common knowledge. After all, you are a very visible man.”

“I understand. I’ll have to become less visible, I suppose.” He sounded droll.

Vanessa looked up at the house, where the noise of talking and laughter could be heard, then turned toward him on the bench. “What are you going to do about me? About us? Are we going to see each other again, Robert?”

He was silent, looked miserable, and worried. And his face was solemn.

She waited for a while, felt her heart sinking, certain he was going to reject the idea. This thought was unbearable.

Taking all of her courage in both her hands, she said carefully, slowly, “If a very nice, well-brought-up young woman invited you for tea at the Ritz, would you accept?”

Robert looked at her, a smile flickering briefly. “It would depend on who that young woman was, if I would go to tea at the Ritz with her.”

Vanessa did not say anything.

After a second, wishing to please her, to play her little game, he went on, “For instance, if that young woman was anything like you, then I would accept that invitation with alacrity.”

“Oh, very good. She would like to suggest tomorrow. If it suits your schedule.”

“I can fit it in. At what time would I be expected to arrive?”

“At teatime, of course, four-thirty p.m.”

“Then I think we have a deal.”

They both were startled and looked around when they heard Adrian calling from the French doors, “Robert, are you out there?”

Robert jumped up, pulled her to her feet, then walked ahead of her to greet Adrian.

“I am, old chap. Came out to have a smoke. Found Vanessa doing the same. Apparently her mother doesn’t like chaps smoking in the drawing room.”