She had thought that it would be easy to tell her dear Aunt Maria everything, but with the Prince of Wales sitting there and listening to every word, she felt that it was impossible to relate what had happened, especially regarding the Marquis and Lord Wroxhall.

“What is more important than your enquiries about this Mrs. Merryweather,” the Prince said now, “is to decide how we shall launch the beautiful Miss Hayden upon the Beau Monde.”

He was teasing her, Gretna thought, and yet he smiled so charmingly as he spoke and she felt that anything he said could not but sound pleasant.

There was no doubt at all that he was a very attractive young man. He was tall with broad shoulders and his elegance and exquisite manners were almost overwhelming to Gretna.

The Prince was dressed with great richness and she remembered, as she looked at his embroidered waistcoat with its jewelled buttons and the exquisite texture of his coat with its high velvet collar, that someone had once said that he spent over ten thousand pounds a year on his clothes.

But she was not prepared to criticise him whatever he did for from the moment of her arrival he had gone out of his way to make her feel at ease.

Indeed she was soon smiling at him and finding him as easy to talk to as if he had been just an ordinary gentleman.

The clock on the mantelpiece struck the hour and Maria gave an exclamation.

“You must go, Sire. You know you have an appointment with Sir James Harris.”

“He can wait,” the Prince of Wales said easily.

Maria shook her head.

“No, you must leave,” she insisted. “I would not wish Sir James to think that I detained you when he may have matters of import to discuss. You will remember that he has been with His Majesty all day.”

“Then anything he has to tell me must certainly be disagreeable,” the Prince replied almost petulantly, but Gretna noticed that in obedience to Maria’s wishes he rose to his feet.

“I shall see you this evening at Carlton House?” he asked almost anxiously, as if it was hard for him to tear himself away even for a few hours.

“I shall be there, Sire,” Maria Fitzherbert replied reassuringly.

“And you will bring your little guest with you?” the Prince enquired with a gesture towards Gretna.

Maria Fitzherbert shook her head.

‘“Not tonight, Sire. If she is to blossom out, as you suggested, and make an impression on Society she must have some beautiful gowns. They take time to choose and to make.”

“Yes, of course,” the Prince nodded. “Well, I am quite certain that I can leave all such details in your very capable hands, Maria. But I shall he delighted to sponsor her debut.”

“That is indeed kind of you, Sire,” Maria smiled with a glance at Gretna that made her drop down in a deep curtsey.