“It would have depended on the nature of the letters,” said Torgos. “He sympathised with the Royalist cause, but he was a pragmatic man. He would have done whatever was best for England. If he felt that our king in exile could rally Greek forces from afar to help defeat the Axis, then he would have seen that any threat to him would be destroyed.”

“The Axis has been defeated, Talbot is dead,” said Sparks. “Yet the letters remain, if rumours are to be believed.”

“Do you know who has them?”

“Another part of the plan,” said Sparks. “Are you free tomorrow night?”

“We’re inviting him now?” asked Mrs. Bainbridge.

“I think he needs to be satisfied as to the truth,” said Sparks, pulling a small notebook from her apron and tossing it to him. “Give me your number. There’s another party you need to attend. Not fancy dress this time.”

He looked back and forth between the two women, then took a fountain pen from inside his jacket and jotted down a number.

“Right,” said Sparks, taking the notebook back from him. “These are yours.” She handed him the automatics. He held them, a speculative look in his eyes.

“Put them away,” said Sparks. “The time for force has passed.”

“And when it came, you were the one who used it,” commented Torgos as he concealed the guns inside his jacket.

“Tadeo was getting antsy,” said Sparks. “I don’t like being strangled. We should go back to the reception.”

“Fetch my cape, would you?” asked Mrs. Bainbridge.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Sparks.

She lifted Tadeo’s head from the floor and unwrapped the cape carefully. She placed him gently down, then stood and snapped the cape open by her hip.

“Olé!” she said.

“It’s wrinkled now,” sniffed Mrs. Bainbridge. “And is that blood? How horrid!”

“Just a speck,” said Sparks, examining it critically. “Nothing a real maid couldn’t get out.”

“That’s my favourite cape,” said Mrs. Bainbridge desolately. “I’ll never be able to look at it again without thinking about this.”

“You have more than one cape?” asked Torgos curiously.

“Of course. This one goes with this outfit.”

The door opened. They turned to see Captain Palfrey poking his head inside.

“Ah, there you are,” he said to Mrs. Bainbridge. “I’ve been looking everywhere. I say, is that chap all right?”

“He overdid the drinking,” said Mrs. Bainbridge. “Millie found him sleeping it off in here, and came to fetch this gentleman to help.”

“Very decent of you,” said Palfrey. “Need a hand with him?”

“Thank you, I will be fine,” said Torgos. “I will see that he gets home to his mother.”

“Excellent. So, Mrs. Bainbridge, to the reason for my seeking you out. The king wishes to dance with you.”

“Oh,” said Mrs. Bainbridge. “Then let us return at once. Good evening, Mr. Torgos. Thank you for the dance. You tango well, I must say.”

“It was a pleasure, Mrs. Bainbridge,” responded Torgos, bowing.

He watched as the door closed behind them, then looked down at his son, who was beginning to return to consciousness.