“I hate to say this, but, a word to the wise, Petra. Rupert says they’re taking odds in the clubs about your relationship with Guy, how far it’s gone,” she added delicately. “But also about whether he’ll declare himself. It’s never good to be the subject of gossip.”

Petra’s high spirits wavered for a moment. So far she had managed to ignore that most inconvenient and unfair fact of life. An unmarried woman’s reputation was like gold dust. Ephemeral, blown away on a slight breeze. A man’s reputation, of course, was immune from anything short of murder.

“I haven’t done anything publicly to offend society’s dusty morals,” she said, after a moment. “I defy anyone to find something concrete to accuse me of.”

“I hate to say it, darling, but Guy’s reputation is enough to sully yours,” Fenella pointed out. “It’s the height of injustice, of course, but it’s a sad fact.”

“And if tongues are wagging the gossip is bound to reach your parents,” Diana added.

Petra closed her eyes briefly. Scandal was the one thing she could be sure would bring her mother and father hot foot from the baths of Baden-Baden, or wherever they were now. “Joth hasn’t said anything. If he had wind of any potential scandal he would have said.” Although, now she thought about it, Petra wasn’t so sure. Jonathan was so deeply involved in his parliamentary life, and thought Guy was the answer to his prayers when it came to legislation for Somerset, that he probably couldn’t see past the end of his nose when it came to Granville and his own sister.

“I don’t think it’s taken wings yet,” Diana said. “Rupert just thought we should warn you of the possibility that the gossips might get ahold of it.”

“Well, thank him for the warning,” Petra said. “I’ll be as discreet as a nun from now on.” She drank her champagne. “Oh, don’t look so uncomfortable, both of you. I’m not in the least offended, how could I be when I know you only have my best interests at heart.”

“Well, as long as you don’t think of us as a pair of fussy maiden aunts,” Fenella said, which had the beneficial effect of reducing the three of them to helpless laughter.