The food in the dining room was delectable, hut she was not hungry. She even refused a glass of champagne to the consternation of several young dandies who had gathered round Maria and who tried to persuade her to change her mind.

They were engrossed in inspecting a boar’s head stuffed and garnished in an entirely new manner when Gretna managed to slip away without anyone noticing her departure.

She thought that it would be interesting to see the rest of The Palace and to give herself breathing space in order to collect her scattered thoughts and wonder if she met the Marquis again what she was to say to him.

There were so many people intent on enjoying themselves that no one noticed her as she slipped between the chattering couples and wandered about just gazing at her surroundings. After a time she almost forgot the Marquis in her interest.

She found the drawing room hung with yellow silk and furnished in Chinese fashion. She passed through a dozen other rooms where brocades, velvets, satins, plush, objets d’art, porcelain and pictures all vied with each other for attention.

She was staring at a cabinet filled with miniatures, many of them having frames set with precious stones when she heard a loud guffaw of laughter in the centre of the room.

“Have you seen the latest lampoon about her?” a voice asked.

She stiffened, realising instantly who was speaking. There was no mistaking that oily sensual voice that somehow always had the power to send shivers down her spine.

She glanced round hastily and saw that there were six or seven men, resplendent in their brocade coats, decorations and white breeches, gathered together beneath an enormous chandelier shaped like a water lily.

Then, realising that they had not noticed her amongst the other people perambulating the room, she stood staring at the glass case, afraid to move lest she should draw attention to herself.

“It’s very funny of Mistress Fitz,” Lord Wroxhall’s hated voice went on, “and not too kind to our Prinny.”

He obviously showed his cronies the lampoon for there was a shout of laughter and then chuckles as if it was being passed from hand to hand, several of the men making, as they looked at it, somewhat obscene remarks which were fortunately spoken in too low a tone for Gretna to overhear what they were.

“Well, she certainly is in undisputed possession,” someone remarked.

“I should not be too sure of that,” Lord Wroxhall replied.

“My dear fellow, you cannot argue against the evidence of one’s own eyes. The Prince is absolutely infatuated with her, in fact I have never seen him so in love before.”

“It will be but a passing phase,” Lord Wroxhall commented.