“Oh, but it does. I am sorry to be the bearer of such news, but I have just heard it straight from the mouth of the Comtesse de Molier. She doesn’t know I was listening, naturally. But she said that she has heard from her compatriots in France that Éléonore Duplay is coming here to England, could arrive this very night, as an emissary from France.” She stepped back, a look of triumph in her features. “I knew you would want to be the first to know, as I hear she is a particular friend—”

“She’s no friend of mine.” Matteo’s curt response caused several near them to turn their heads in curiosity.

“Well, I meant no harm. I understood you grew up together, that you’ve known her for years . . .” Lady Pinckney allowed her voice to trail off.

Matteo’s face had turned to stone and his eyes were fierce as he stared her down.

Scarlet looked from one to the other and then gently placed a hand on Matteo’s arm. “I cannot imagine why she would come all the way from France, if not to gaze upon our fashions, my dear. Last I saw her she was in a dreadful state. Oldest dress I ever saw on a woman of her renown—fit her so ill she nearly sagged. It is no wonder she has come to spruce herself up, so to speak. Must keep Robespierre happy, if you take my meaning? Even unmarried as they are . . .”

Lady Pinckney’s cheeks turned pink, and she brought a hand up to her mouth. “Oh, I see. Well, we can have nothing much to say to her, that is sure. Fashions indeed.”

Matteo bowed crisply and left to walk across the room. Scarlet watched him until she saw Prince George motion to join him in conversation.

Lady Pinckney said, “Awfully touchy, is he not?”

Scarlet turned to her. “Would you not be, if his situation were yours? Excuse me, will you?” Her steps quickened as she made her way to the library.

She paused at the doors, listening, before she stepped into the room. Giggling carried out into the hall. She peered in and grinned. The curtains bulged with the bodies of two people.

A woman’s voice, slightly muffled, said, “Simon, are you sure we will not be discovered?”

After more giggling and a thump against the back wall, Scarlet called out, “Hello! Is someone in here?”

The occupants went silent and still.

“Yoo-hoo! Behind the curtain! I fear I have misplaced my fan. Do you see it there?”

A muffled female voice responded, “I don’t see one here, no.”