The guests, who had returned to the terrace, clapped loudly as Antoine, clearly loving every minute, took a deep bow.

‘Here,’ insisted Meredith, ‘put on this coat and take a drink. It’ll warm you up.’

Before he deigned to raise it to his lips, the old man examined the label.

‘Don’t worry,’ she laughed, ‘it’s the best in the house.’

He took a large swig. ‘They are very stupid, your guests,’ he pronounced in disgust. ‘They thought it was I who stopped the hail falling.’

‘I don’t think they actually thought that,’ Meredith smiled. ‘But they thought you gave a magnificent performance. And personally, I’d like to thank you. You have rescued the wedding.’

‘Avec plaisir, Madamoiselle Meredith.’ Antoine rewarded her with a slow, knowing smile and took another swig of the cognac.

Near to the riverbank, Liam examined his grapes tenderly.

‘I think this time we’ve been lucky,’ he smiled. He suddenly stared at Jo. ‘You left the wedding party to see what had happened to my crop, when you should probably be firing me for deserting my post.’

‘I knew how much it mattered to you,’ she replied simply, and turned back towards the wedding.

He reached out a hand to stop her. ‘You know, the only reason I held back was that I realized you’d be my boss, in a manner of speaking. But now I know what a lovely woman you are, that seems ridiculous. I just wanted to say that if you were up for it, I think we should start again.’ He grinned and spread out his hands. ‘That was hardly the most romantic speech, but you’ll know by now, I’m a straightforward guy.’

Suddenly Jo had the most powerful feeling that this was a man she could trust. Some of her old self-confidence surged back as she looked him directly in the eye. ‘Straightforward guys sound pretty good to me. Now, I suppose we’d better get back to the party. The guests will be wanting a refill.’

They had almost reached the steps when they bumped into Margot lurking in the bushes. ‘Bonjour, Joanna. I am so sorry for you. The hail has ruined the wedding, no?’ She could barely conceal her glee at such a terrible catastrophe.

Jo just laughed. ‘From what I can tell, everyone rather enjoyed it. In fact, they thought it had been laid on specially.’

Margot shook her head. ‘As long as I live, I will never understand the English.’ She turned for home in disgust.

‘Poor old Margot,’ Jo laughed gaily. ‘She really doesn’t want us to make a go of it at the château.’

Climbing up the steps, they just missed Philippe coming down at the other end of the terrace.