‘Good idea, I’ll have the same. I forgot to tell you, I was talking to Johnny Anderson last week, and he told me that the King now seems to be getting on well with Arthur Balfour. They’ve sort of … bonded. So much for all those chaps who said the King would never do that.’

‘Everybody’s got an opinion about the Prime Minister, so I don’t pay much attention, as you know. Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with that, as far as I can see.’

‘I suspect that doesn’t sit well with some folk.’

Their drinks arrived; they clinked glasses and said, ‘Down the hatch,’ in unison.

After a few sips of his Scotch and soda, Adrian stared at Robert for a long moment, before saying in a low but forceful tone, ‘She got you!’

Robert returned Adrian’s stare, his expression neutral, in total control of himself. He had known this kind of comment would be coming and was prepared to respond appropriately.

After a swallow of the Scotch himself, he said, ‘Got you is a rather strange expression. Does it mean, got you in her clutches, suggesting a bad thing? Or cornered me in a bad way? On the other hand, it could mean she’s got you in a nice way. Such as having captivated me. Certainly she hasn’t got me by my short hairs, if you were meaning that. Not at all. Quite the contrary.’

Adrian burst out laughing. Then, calming himself, he said, ‘There’s just nobody like you when it comes to words and explanations. You’re a bloody marvel.’

‘I knew earlier tonight that something peculiar would be forthcoming from you, old chap,’ he replied, also laughing.

‘So which is it?’ Adrian probed.

‘Can’t you guess? Go on, have a go.’

‘She cornered you, chatted you up and you fell for it … for her.’

‘Partially true. I got separated from you when we arrived, and I made it down to the end of the room and the French doors. We kind of bumped into each other, and I was struck at once by her looks. Vanessa is stunning, you can’t deny that.’

‘I don’t. But I think it was a bit calculating.’

‘I would prefer to say she’s enterprising. In any case, I felt as if I’d been hit by a truck. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and she reacted in the same manner. Finally, I took her hand and we went right down to the back of the room. Later, we walked into the garden to smoke.’

‘How did you feel, really and truly?’ Adrian asked quietly, understanding that this was a serious situation now developing right before his eyes.