“Not on any account!” Gretna exclaimed. “She is asleep and must not be disturbed. I know where the things are. We have them ready and cook was asked to bake a rabbit pie.”

“Shall I enquire if she ’as done so?” the maid enquired.

“Yes, please do,” Gretna said. “And I will speak with the woman and explain why Mistress Fitzherbert cannot see her.”

She ran downstairs to the little hall. The woman was standing there, her face worn and lined in the light of the candles. She had an old shawl thrown over her head and the hands that clasped it were work-worn and trembling a little as if from the cold.

“Come and sit down,” Gretna suggested kindly, indicating a cushioned settle just inside the door.

“Are you, ma’am, the lady as I was to see?” the woman asked.

“No, indeed. The lady you have come to see is Mistress Fitzherbert. I am only a friend of hers. She was sorry for your little boy this afternoon when he begged of her and His Royal Highness. He told her that you have five other children. Is that right?”

“Yes, lady, and my ’usband is unable to find work, try as he may.”

“I am so sorry,” Gretna said simply. “And so is Mistress Fitzherbert. She has a few clothes for you and cook has baked you a rabbit pie.”

“Blessings on you, lady. It’s ever so good for the likes of us that the Gentry should come to Brighthelmstone. Maybe then there will be work of some sort for my ’usband.”

“I am sure there will be – ” Gretna began, when she was interrupted by a light knock at the door.

Without thinking and forgetting that she was not at home where it was quite usual for her and her mother to answer the door, she pulled it open.

A servant in the Royal livery of scarlet and gold stood there.

“I have a message for Mistress Fitzherbert,” he intoned in what Gretna felt was a somewhat imperious manner.

“I am sorry, but Mistress Fitzherbert cannot be disturbed.”

“’Tis of importance,” the man argued.

“Perhaps you will give it to me,” Gretna suggested.

“His Royal Highness’s compliments, miss, and he wishes to see Mistress Fitzherbert immediately. He has sent a carriage to convey her to the Pavilion.”

“But I don’t think that is – possible,” Gretna said.

“’Tis urgent. That’s what I was told,” the man persisted,

“Wait a moment,” Gretna answered him.

She closed the door and stood irresolute in the hall.

If the Prince had sent for Maria, that meant that something unexpected had happened – an order from the King, even more trouble about his debts, a communication from the Prime Minister? It might be any of these things.