“You are frightened of me,” the Prince said still in that low voice that only she could hear. “It excites me that you are frightened. You are like some small animal caught in a trap it cannot escape from.”

She could not move.

He was hypnotic, mesmeric, compelling. He was drawing her to him, holding her captive and she could not escape.

She wanted to scream, but her voice was lost, silenced by her terror.

‘God help me!’

It was a prayer in her heart.

Then with a swift movement, as if she forced herself from the imprisonment of his eyes, Alyna dragged her hand from his.

Without realising what she was doing, she ran across the room to be beside her mother.

As she did so, she heard the Prince make a low sound. It was almost a chuckle of triumph, as if he felt that he already held her in his arms.

“You can carry two glasses,” Lady Maude said as Alyna reached her side.

As she spoke, she poured champagne into a third glass, while Alyna stood beside her trying to catch her breath.

Her heart was beating wildly. The Prince was right and she really was an animal caught in a trap she could not escape from!

Then she remembered Lord Dorrington.

He would be waiting for her in a very short while.

With a great effort she picked up two glasses and carried them back to the fireplace.

Lady Maude was before her and the Prince already had a glass in his hand. She turned towards her daughter and, taking the champagne from her, raised it to her lips.

“I drink your health, Alyna,” she said. “I know you and His Highness will be very very happy together.”

“I am the happiest man in the world now that Alyna wears my ring,” the Prince said. “It binds us to each other. You are mine, Alyna, for the rest of your life.”

There was somehow a threat behind the words, but Alyna was trying not to listen.

She took a little sip of the champagne.

Then she said,

“Would you think it very rude, Mama, if I went to bed? I find it hard to keep my eyes open. I cannot think why I am so sleepy.”

Lady Maude gave the Prince a meaningful glance.

“No, dear, of course not,” she said. “Perhaps His Highness will be so obliging to take me to one of the gaming Clubs, you are far too young for such places.”

“Go to bed,” the Prince said, “and dream of our future happiness. It will not be long now, Alyna, before I hold you in my arms.”

He held out both hands towards her and Alyna knew that she could not bear him to touch her once again.

She curtseyed, a quick frightened little movement, and then she had gone swiftly from the room and started to run up the stairs.