I was too exhausted to resist, even though I had serious misgivings about any pill that my mother took. But she was right. It did work like a charm. I fell asleep and awoke to see Queenie standing over my bed with a tea tray.

“Your mum said I had better wake you up,” she said, plonking the tray down on the side table so that the tea splashed into the saucer. “That lawyer bloke is here and wanting to talk to you.”

“Oh, golly.” The full memory of the night before came rushing back to me. “Run me a bath, Queenie, and find me something to wear that looks—” I was about to say “innocent” but I changed it to “girlish. Young.”

“Bob’s yer uncle, miss,” she said cheerfully and went off. I sat up and drank the rest of the tea. Amazingly I felt remarkably well, considering everything that had happened yesterday. I bathed and came back to find that Queenie had laid out the same white trousers and blue jacket of the day before. That was one outfit I did not want to be seen wearing.

“No, Queenie. A simple cotton frock. Oh, let me.” I shoved her aside and examined my meager wardrobe. Simple frocks were actually something I owned. I selected a schoolgirlish check, brushed my hair and went downstairs looking, I hoped, young, innocent and demure. As I neared the drawing room I heard low voices and was mortified to find not only Monsieur Balzac sitting on the sofa, but Jean-Paul standing beside him. I was horribly conscious that I looked like a schoolgirl.

Monsieur Balzac rose to his feet. “Lady Georgiana. I trust that you slept well,” he said in French.

“Yes, I did. Thank you. And thank you for coming to my rescue last night.”

He shook his head. “It was the marquis you had to thank. I am just the instrument.”

“My eternal thanks to both of you,” I said. “If it weren’t for you, I’d have been locked up in a dreadful cell, being gloated over by that horrid man.” I turned to focus my gaze on Jean-Paul. “It was especially nice of you to get up so early for me.”

Jean-Paul laughed. “But I am an early bird by nature. Ask anyone. Besides, I had to meet the train.” He came across to me and took my hand. “I just wanted to see for myself that you had survived the night and were well. Now, if you will excuse me, I have matters that require my immediate attention. I leave you in the experienced hands of Monsieur Balzac.” And he kissed my hand lightly before departing.

Monsieur Balzac coughed to draw my attention. “Please be seated, Lady Georgiana, and I want you to tell me everything.”