The carriage drew up outside Gunter’s on the far side of the square from Granville House. Diana paid the driver and the three of them went into the tea shop. It was busy, a warm evening brought out people strolling the square garden and the quiet residential streets. One of the round iron tables on the pavement outside the tea shop was free and they took it, ordering a few light dishes from the white-aproned waiter.

“Oh, and a bottle of Moët,” Petra called after him. “We might as well make the most of our freedom from Wagner. I shall have to write a groveling apology to Bella Carrington in the morning. I’ll apologize for spoiling your evenings too.” She bestowed a benign smile on her companions.

“Forget that,” Diana said. “Tell us what’s going on with Granville.”

“Have you already made love?” Fenella asked, cutting to the chase. “I don’t believe in beating about the bush.”

“No, you don’t.” Petra fell silent as the waiter opened the champagne, filling their glasses. When he’d departed she said, “To be equally blunt, yes, we have. And lovemaking is wondrous. But you both know that.”

“Indeed,” Diana agreed.

“You’re not taking any risks?” Fenella asked hesitantly.

Petra gave a half laugh. “You really don’t believe in discretion, Fenella. No, no risks. Guy uses those rubber sheaths, even though he doesn’t like them. I’d be quite happy if he didn’t use them.”

“Not until you have a ring on your finger,” Fenella said sharply.

“Oh, you’re such a mother hen, dearest.” Petra laughed. “Of course I’m not going to take any risks. Even if I was willing, Guy wouldn’t be. He’s oddly strict about some things, sometimes annoyingly conventional and rule abiding.”

Diana and Fenella exchanged glances of relief and Petra went into a peal of laughter. “Oh, dear, why does everyone feel the need to watch over me, to guide my hesitant footsteps? I’m perfectly able to look after myself.”

“Yes, of course you are, darling.” Diana shook her head ruefully. “We have no right to think you need tutoring in this game of life we’re all playing.”

“How do you feel about Guy?” Fenella asked, leaning across the table. “Do you just really like him, or do you think you might love him?”

“To the point as always, Fenella,” Diana observed.

Petra took a leisurely sip of champagne before responding. “It’s a fair question. The answer is that I’m not really sure. All I know at the moment is that I’m loving every minute of the whole adventure and I’m hungry for whatever new experiences I can have with Guy. The future is the last thing on my mind.” She selected a crab tart and ate it with reflective pleasure.