“I suggest you tell her they are good for her complexion,” the Prince replied with a laugh. “What woman can resist beautifying herself?”

“No indeed! That is a good idea,” Lady Maude agreed. “I hope she will not be difficult about it.”

‘“I am sure you will persuade her cleverly, dear lady, and I have always found you very persuasive!”

“Well, I will try,” Lady Maude said, “but I shall be very angry with her for behaving so badly tonight and I hope that she will be very contrite and very apologetic when you come to dinner.”

“I shall be with you at half after seven,” the Prince said. “Until then, may I thank you for a delightful evening?”

Alyna did not wait to hear more, but hurried up the stairs to her own room and slipped into bed.

Although her heart was beating quickly, she shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep, hoping that her mother, if she did come to her room, would decide to postpone the row until the following morning.

But Lady Maude was too angry.

As soon as the front door closed behind Prince Ahmadi, she stormed up the stairs and flung open Alyna’s door.

“Wake up, Alyna!” she called out grimly. “I have a great deal to say to you.”

Alyna sat up in bed knowing that there was no escape. Lady Maude brought in a candle that was standing on the table outside on the landing.

She lit two other candles beside Alyna’s bed and then looked down at her daughter.

“How dare you?” she stormed. “How dare you behave in such a manner?”

She did not wait for an answer, but continued,

“Do you realise that you made the Prince look a complete fool standing there waiting for your appearance. And Lady Glossop must have realised that you are reluctant to marry him.”

“That is the truth,” Alyna asserted. “I will not marry Prince Ahmadi, Mama. I have already told you so.”

“You will marry him if I drag you screaming to the altar steps!” Lady Maude snapped. “And stop defying me while I tell you a few facts that I should have told you long ago.”

“What are they?” Alyna asked.

“Your father left me practically penniless,” Lady Maude said. “Oh, I know you thought he was the charming clever gentleman engrossed in his books! He flattered you by saying you had a brain, that you and he could enjoy life together without worrying about your empty-headed mother.”

Lady Maude almost spat the words at Alyna, who was listening to her wide-eyed.

“While your father was dissipating what money he had on purchasing useless volumes and paying no attention to the estate, which went to rack and ruin under his administration,” Lady Maude went on, “debts were piling up year after year!”

“I am – sorry, Mama,” Alyna murmured.