She rose to her feet as she spoke and added with a touch of irony,

“You will doubtless be able to read about it in The Times the day after tomorrow. I shall perhaps merit – a line or two such as,

‘It is with deep regret we announce that on the night of May 3rd 1799 the body of a young woman was recovered from the Thames near – ’”

Her voice died away as Lord Dorrington also rose and she looked up into his eyes.

“Are you really so cowardly?” he asked scathingly, “that you run away from the first battle?”

“Cowardly?”

Alyna repeated the words beneath her breath.

“I am sure I am right in thinking that your father was at one time a soldier,” Lord Dorrington said slowly. “I know at any rate that one of your relatives was a General.”

“That was – my uncle,” Alyna said. “He commanded the Grenadier Guards and my father also served in the Grenadiers.”

“Then I cannot believe that they would be very proud of you at this moment,” Lord Dorrington said.

There was a long silence.

Then Alyna gave a deep sigh that seemed to come from the very depths of her being.

“I will – try once again to make Mama – understand,” she said hesitatingly. “But, if the engagement is announced at midnight, she will never listen. She will say it’s too late – however much I try to persuade her.”

“Yes, I can understand that,” Lord Dorrington remarked, “and therefore you must leave immediately.”

“If I go back to the house,” Alyna said, “they will be looking for me. I am sure the Prince will be – waiting.”

She shuddered as she spoke and Lord Dorrington saw the gleam of terror in her eyes.

“Why does he frighten you so much?” he asked.

“I wish I knew,” Alyna answered. “I tell myself that it is stupid and childish and yet every time he comes near me I feel as if there is a cobra in the room. I want to scream and run away and yet sometimes I am unable to move. There is some power in him – something almost – hypnotic.”

“Then you must make every excuse not to be alone with him,” Lord Dorrington said.

“I know,” Alyna agreed, “I have told myself that. But I think he orders Mama to do what he wants. And she wishes so much – to please him.”

Lord Dorrington appeared to be about to ask another question and then he changed his mind.

“I must help you to escape,” he said in a matter of fact voice. “It would doubtless compromise you if it was known that I drove you home in my carriage, but that is a risk we must take.”

“He must not see me leave,” Alyna said quickly.