I felt a great sob like a hiccup coming up in my throat. “What is it, ma petite? He really upset you this afternoon with his boorish behavior?”

“No, it’s more than that,” I said. “He’s dead. After you brought me home, I looked over the terrace and there he was, facedown in his swimming pool.”

“He drowned?”

“Worse than that,” I said. “It looks as if someone killed him. I shouldn’t say any more, but it will probably be in the papers tomorrow.”

“How extraordinary,” Jean-Paul said. “Frankly I’m not surprised that somebody killed him. Such a man makes many enemies. And one wouldn’t be surprised if Olga flashed a knife at him in the heat of passion one day.”

“Olga walked out, I believe.”

“And returned for vengeance? How fascinating. I will follow the case with interest. Quite the thing to lift me from my boredom.”

“You? How can you be bored? You have a wonderful life.” Jean-Paul sighed. “I always crave the excitement. And most people I find frightfully boring. Except you—you are a delightful breath of fresh air. But now eat up. We cannot waste good caviar.”

This banquet should have been the ultimate treat for me, but I found that the events of the day had left me so shocked that I could hardly swallow. The rock melon filled with port slipped down easily enough and the effects of the port, mingled with the champagne, gradually started to unwind my tension. I knew I should put Sir Toby from my thoughts. I hardly knew the man and I certainly had no cause to like him. Still, it’s always a shock when any human being’s life is taken from him.

After we had eaten the lobster and duck, each of them exquisite beyond belief, and a sorbet had been brought to clear the palate, I excused myself and went to the ladies’ room. As I entered, the first person I saw, powdering her nose, was Belinda. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.

“Darling, fancy bumping into you here of all places. I didn’t see you. Are you with your mama?”

“No, I’m up in a little turret room with Jean-Paul.”

“Jean-Paul?” Her eyes widened. “You mean the Marquis de Ronchard?”

“The very same. I can hardly believe it, but he seems interested in me. I hope you’re not too cross with me. I did nothing to encourage him.”

“Of course you didn’t, you sweet thing.” Belinda touched my cheek. “That’s why he finds you so delicious. A completely unspoiled, unscheming female. What a change. No wonder he is captivated.”

“I know you wanted him for yourself.”

“I have to confess that was the idea, but as it happens I have moved on to pastures new, thanks to you.”

“To me?”