But the man who got out of the back seat was certainly nothing to do with the British army, retired or otherwise. Barbara Penhaligon’s chaperone was a handsome young blond man in a dark uniform, and Hilaria stared in horror at the swastika on his arm. ‘I don’t understand,’ she faltered. ‘Where is Arthur? What is that man doing here?’

‘I was about to ask the very same thing,’ Marlene said, and her voice was suddenly like cut glass.

Barbara Penhaligon waved and made her way over, and it seemed to Archie that she was perfectly aware of her host’s discomfort; not only that, but she appeared to be enjoying it. ‘My father isn’t well,’ she announced, kissing Hilaria on both 94cheeks. ‘He’s so disappointed not to be here, but he’s gone down with a terrible cold and he wasn’t fit to travel.’ She looked round at everyone, waiting for the introduction that was hardly necessary. ‘He sends his apologies, but you really wouldn’t thank him for passing it on, I’m sure.’

‘I’m very sorry to hear that,’ Hilaria said, just as her lack of response was verging on rudeness. ‘We were looking forward to seeing you both, but you shouldn’t feel obliged to stay if you’d rather be at home with him. Christmas isn’t a time to be on your own.’

The attempt to avert a social disaster was both clumsy and transparent. Barbara smiled to show that she’d seen through it, but played along with the game. ‘That’s thoughtful of you, but he really was most insistent that we don’t both let you down, and Max was kind enough to bring me across. You remember him from last summer, when he was here with the British Ambassador? It would have been at the Godolphin garden party.’

‘I was away in Egypt last summer, so I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure until now.’ She shook hands with the German, and out of solidarity Archie did the same, resisting the urge to wipe his palm on his trousers afterwards.

‘Delighted to meet you all,’ Max said in flawless English, ‘and particularly you, Miss Dietrich. We are great admirers of your work back in Germany, as I’m sure you know.’

He held out his hand to Marlene, and Archie glanced at Fielding and the ever-present camera, but the actress was one step ahead of him: under no circumstances was she willing to be photographed shaking hands with a Nazi, and she simply nodded, her face expressionless.

‘Aren’t you going to invite Max to stay?’ Barbara asked, 95looking provocatively at her host, as if daring her to choose which guest to offend.

Archie felt sorry for Hilaria, put so publicly on the spot, but ironically it was the German who saved her. ‘Thank you, that is very kind, but I have business to attend to over Christmas. The compliments of the season to you all.’ He gave a curt nod and spoke quickly in German to Barbara, then strode round the harbour to the waiting car. Hilaria sent the second footman after him to collect the luggage.