‘Why, I reckon we’ll be the best dressed party there tonight,’ Mr Chatsworth declared as he raised his glass in a toast to them all, but then the carriage he had hired to take them to the opera was at the kerb and they rushed about putting their outside clothes on.

When they arrived, the theatre was ablaze with lights and posters advertising the opera, and smartly dressed people were making their way inside. As Ruby had whispered to Caroline, much to the girl’s amusement, she was beginning to feel a little like Cinderella and just hoped that the carriage wouldn’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight. The foyer was so grand that it almost took Ruby’s breath away and she was so busy staring about that she even forgot to take her cloak off for a few minutes. A glittering crystal chandelier that sparkled like diamonds hung in the centre of the ceiling and a sweeping staircase on either side led up to the theatre seats. There were enormous gilt mirrors hung on the walls, and charming little gilt-legged sofas scattered about. The women seemed to be trying to outdo each other in the amount of jewels they wore, and their gowns were all the colours of the rainbow.

Once they’d left their cloaks at the ladies’ cloakroom, George instantly came to Ruby’s side and offered his arm. Shyly she slid her small hand through it and they began to ascend the stairs, closely followed by Miss Wood and Mr Pembroke, with Mr and Mrs Chatsworth and Caroline at the rear.

‘I’ve booked us a box,’ Mr Chatsworth informed them leading them along a corridor. ‘You get a much better view of the stage from up here.’ He stopped and drew aside a fringed velvet curtain and they stepped past him into the box, which did indeed look directly down on to the stage. Once again Ruby was speechless as she admired the intricately painted cherubs on the domed ceiling and the luxurious velvet seats. And the sheer size of the place! Ruby had never dreamed that such huge spaces existed.

‘Oh . . . it’s all so, so . . .’ She struggled to find words to express how she felt. ‘So magical, I feel as if I’m in a fairy tale,’ she breathed eventually. ‘I shall never forget this night for as long as I live!’

George took her hand and raising it he gently brushed the back of it with his lips. ‘Neither shall I,’ he whispered meaningfully.

Before Ruby could reply, they were ushered into their seats and she thought no more about it. She was too excited waiting for the opera to begin and she could hardly wait to see it.