“That is true,” Lord Grenville agreed, “and the Prince, from all I hear, is very presentable.”

“Where was he educated?”

“In France and Rome,” Lord Grenville answered, “and until the Revolution he apparently made a great stir in Paris with his hospitality and his extremely generous gifts.”

“Are you quite certain that there is nothing we can do to stop him from marrying a girl who has barely left the schoolroom?” Lord Dorrington asked.

“You can only tell Lady Maude what I have already told you,” Lord Grenville replied. “But knowing the lady in question, I feel sure that she will welcome a very wealthy son-in-law with open arms whatever his morals.”

“I am sure you are right,” Lord Dorrington agreed.

“Unless you think it will really help to prevent the Wedding, I would rather you did not speak to her of the Prince’s past,” the Foreign Secretary went on. “Lady Maude will undoubtedly tell him what you have disclosed and this might provoke some uncomfortable questions from the Kahriz Embassy.”

“I had no idea that such a small country had an Ambassador in London.”

“He has the status of Minister,” Lord Grenville said. “The Ruler of Kahriz asked us three years ago if we would accept a representation from his country. There was no earthly reason why we should refuse and therefore it was established.”

Lord Grenville’s lips pursed as he continued,

“This gives the Prince, of course, diplomatic immunity. I should be very loath to interfere in any way with his private life in case it should repercuss upon our public relations with Kahriz.”

“Are they important to us?”

“At the moment Kahriz holds the balance between Afghanistan and Persia,” Lord Grenville said. “All the same, if the Prince steps out of line, I personally would not hesitate to act. From all I have heard he is the type of man I have an avowed aversion to.”

“You are not the only one,” Lord Dorrington murmured and rose to his feet. “Thank you, my Lord.”

“I am sorry I cannot be of more help,” Lord Grenville apologised, “but, as you realise, the Prince has done nothing illegal. Although I think it is undesirable that a man who is not a Christian should wish to marry for the third time in a Christian Church, there is nothing criminal about it.”

“No, I am aware of that,” Lord Dorrington said.

He thanked Lord Grenville again and then drove his phaeton up Whitehall and on towards St. James’s Street.

*

Alyna was back in Hertford Street in time for Martha to take Lady Maude her morning cup of chocolate just after midday.

In her bedroom Alyna sat down in a chair and tried to remember everything that Lord Dorrington had told her to do.