‘Among those who have fled their country are the King’s brothers: the Comte d’Artois and the Comte de Provence; and his cousin, the Prince de Condé. They have gone to Coblenz, in Prussia, where they live as émigrés. It is from Coblenz that they seek to further a counter-revolution by raising an army. It remains in the interests of our King that relations are maintained between Britain and the émigré court, and it is my duty to ensure this. I have been made the emissary between our King and the supporters of the French King.’

Allenham said that this was a mission which required the utmost discretion and when he had taken his leave of England he had not been at liberty to inform so much as a soul of his departure. The position had been granted to him through the influence of his friends in government, and rewarded him with an income of which they understood him to be in need.

‘I fear that my debts are vast,’ he whispered to me, his brow heavy with sadness. ‘Herberton and my lands have been mortgaged. The house in London has been let, and my resources are at present entirely spoken for.’ He slowly shook his head before continuing in a low, apologetic tone: ‘Henrietta, I have not the means to wed you, nor the means to support any children of our union. It is a predicament that has vexed me since the day we parted.’

I studied him, his dark hair and sharply formed features. His remorse was etched deeply into them. It was then I recognized from where his sorrow sprang and how I might soothe it.

‘My dear love,’ said I, ‘you believe I have pursued you to France in the hope of marriage? Why, you know well enough that I abandoned such notions upon the very day I surrendered myself to you. I have been long reconciled to a life as your mistress. I am not such a fool as to think that a gentleman of title with little income is any more at liberty to marry according to his tastes than is the friendless and illegitimate daughter of an earl.’

He raised his eyes and appeared somewhat surprised to find a gentle smile upon my lips.

‘I request no more of you than the constancy of your heart, which you have ever given to me freely,’ I affirmed. ‘It would be an honour if you would permit me to return to Brussels with you and there live quietly in some lodgings not far from your own.’

There was a moment of silence while he sat and contemplated my proposal. Then the corners of his mouth turned carefully upward, before he placed upon my lips the kiss that sealed his consent.