“I admit it was extremely selfish of her,” the Prince said and Alyna thought that there was a grim note in his voice.

“Come up to the salon and have a drink,” Lady Maude suggested. “I feel I need one after worrying myself sick over that tiresome child.”

“You will punish her for being so inconsiderate?” the Prince asked.

There was something in his voice that made Alyna shudder.

She drew back into the shadows as her mother followed by the Prince climbed the stairs to the first floor.

She heard them go into the salon and then, as they left the door open, she came creeping a little way down stairs to hear what they were saying.

The candles on the stairs were guttering very low, there was almost no light and no one was likely to see her.

She heard the clink of glasses as the Prince poured out the wine.

“You are not too angry with my tiresome little daughter I hope,” Lady Maude ventured.

Alyna knew there was a touch of fear in her mother’s voice that the Prince might withdraw his offer of marriage.

“As I have said, she must be punished for being so naughty,” the Prince said, “but afterwards I shall forgive her.”

“That is generous!” Lady Maude exclaimed in a tone of relief. “After all no one except Lady Glossop knew that the engagement was to be announced tonight.”

There was a pause and then Lady Maude suggested.

“You don’t think it would be wise to send the amendment to The Gazette? Once it is a fait accompli, I am sure that Alyna would be more reasonable. She is very young and a gentleman of such consequence as yourself must inevitably make her shy.”

“I like her shyness,” the Prince said, “but she is headstrong and needs a Master.”

“She does indeed,” Lady Maude agreed with a little sigh.

“Alyna is like a young horse that has never been broken,” the Prince continued. “It will be a pleasure to school her.”

Again Alyna perceived that there was that note of cruelty in his voice, as if the man gloated over something weaker than himself.

“I will talk to her,” Lady Maude said firmly. “She shall apologise to you. Then shall we put the announcement in The Gazette?”

“Perhaps the day after tomorrow,” the Prince said slowly. “I have promised to go racing tomorrow, but if you will be kind enough to invite me to dine with you, then I can talk to Alyna. I will bring with me the engagement ring I have already spoken to you about.”

“She will be thrilled with that, I am sure,” Lady Maude enthused.

There was a pause and Alyna had the feeling that the Prince was thinking of something else until finally he said,

“I have not liked to mention this before. Sometimes with young girls it is wise to prevent them from becoming too wild and perhaps too frightened of being married.”