She would stay true to Darcy. She would, because she must. The other way was to gamble everything, and now the stakes had risen too dizzyingly high.

But even time was to be denied her.

Darcy came early the next morning, and she saw the resolve in his face at once. He took her hands and made her stand still to listen to him.

‘I want you to come with me to Montcalm. We must tell them, Helen, and I want us to do it today. I’ve telephoned, and they’re expecting us to lunch. Father was going racing, but I’ve told him it was important and he agreed to stay. So they will almost know already.’

Helen went cold.

‘I can’t, Darcy, we can’t do it today. I want to talk to you. It’s important and it’s something we have to understand between us before we see your mother and father.’

The thought of Montcalm and the cold, surprised faces of Their Royal Highnesses made her feel shaky with fear.

Darcy was immediately concerned.

‘What is it? Is something wrong?’

‘Not wrong.’ Helen searched uncomfortably for the right way to say her piece.

‘It’s just that I’m … afraid. All this has happened very quickly. I’m only just beginning to understand what I’ve promised you. I need some time now, to think about it and to be sure that what we’re doing is right.’ She was talking more quickly, gaining confidence.

Darcy’s face cleared.

‘You can have all the time in the world. I’ve already told you that. And of course you are afraid. Do you think I’m not? And do you think every couple who promise to marry walk blithely into it without a tremor of doubt? I’m happy to be afraid, because it means I understand how serious it is. But it’s why I want to tell everyone, too. It will be easier once there is a clear statement between us, no murky areas and nothing to misunderstand.’

Oh, but there is, Helen thought bitterly. And does he really think that announcing our engagement to Lord and Lady Montcalm is going to cement it?

Disconcertingly, the current of her thoughts changed direction. Perhaps it would do just that. There was something to be said for burned boats.

She looked at Darcy, and saw the honest conviction shining in his face.

‘We-ell,’ she said, knowing that she was being weak. Sensing his advantage, Darcy produced his rare, stubborn expression, all the more effective because she had seen it only once before.

‘We must go,’ he said. ‘They’re waiting for us.’

Helen bowed her head and made to follow him. Her legs felt as if they were lifting lead weights. Darcy stopped her at the door.

‘And there’s this.’ The blue box again.