“It appears that Lord Wroxhall has procured one,” Gretna said, not liking to say how much she loathed and detested the man or to relate to Maria the wager that she had heard him make when she was at Carlton House.

He would have forgotten about it now, she thought, and there was no need to upset Maria. In fact she had long learned never to repeat to her friend anything that was unkind or unpleasant as Maria had enough to suffer without that.

“So now we can go to Brighthelmstone,” Maria enthused gaily. “I am grateful to Lord Wroxhall for finding us a house. The Prince has delayed his departure just because he did not wish to leave me. Now he can go ahead and somehow I think we will be very happy there.”

“You have been there before?” Gretna asked her,

“Yes, two years ago. In fact soon after the Prince first discovered the village on the sea and decided to build a house there on the site of the one where he stayed at that time.”

“I am longing to see it,” Gretna said.

“And so am I,” Maria admitted. “We shall all enjoy the sea air while the Prince swears that the sea bathing does more good to the glands in his throat, which sometimes distress him by swelling, than anything else he has ever tried. Oh, Gretna, what fun it is going to be after all!”

She was like a young girl, Gretna thought, and putting her arms around Maria, she kissed her tenderly.

They chattered gaily in the hired post-chaise all down the long Brighthelmstone road until finally the Downs came in sight and then at last the charming village which, even with its Royal patronage, had only just emerged from the obscurity of a fishing hamlet.

Gretna only had a moment, as they drew up with a flourish at a little house with green shutters, to take in the beauties of the Marine Pavilion with its big circular dome and Ionic columns, which connected it to two other wings.

Then they hurried into the little Villa and found, as Maria must have expected, that the Prince was awaiting her there.

He ran forward as eagerly as a boy to take her hands, to draw her up into the pretty little drawing room with its balconies looking out towards the sea.

“You have come! You have come!” he cried excitedly. “I have hardly been able to content myself without you, Maria. I want you to see the Pavilion at once to approve all that I have done. You will be astonished.”

“I am sure I shall be, Sire,” Maria answered, looking happily into his eyes. “Give me just a few moments to wash my hands and change my gown and then I will come with you at once.”

She hurried from the room as eager as a schoolgirl at an expected treat and the Prince turned to Gretna,