When she came downstairs to the drawing room, the rest of the family was already assembled. The altered gown fitted her like a glove, emphasising her small waist and delicate shoulders, and there was no suggestion that it had ever been any different. Its colour suited her, and when Yvette had dressed her hair high on her head, held in place by two mother-of-pearl combs, allowing soft ringlets to fall about her ears and neck, Hélène had been amazed at how different she looked… and felt.

Because it was a family party, Louise had been included and was standing with her brother and sister-in-law in one of the bay windows. Yvette had also dressed Louise’s hair, and though she still wore it down, it was threaded through with pink ribbons to match her dress. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed with excitement, and she was talking to Georges with great animation.

Georges and Sylvie were prepared for their departure the following day, and though she had enjoyed the festivities of the wedding, Sylvie in particular looked forward to the return to her own home. She smiled at Hélène as she crossed the room to speak with them and murmured, ‘You look beautiful, chérie. That colour is perfect for you.’

When Didier announced their guests, Hélène waited in the curve of the bay window while they greeted her parents. Lucie Barrineau, accompanied by her own parents, was dressed in the height of elegance in a dusky blue gown with tiny flowers dotting the skirt and outlining the neck. In age she came between the two St Clair girls, and when Louise saw her she suddenly felt childish in her pink dress and ribbons and greeted the Barrineau party with ill-concealed discontent. However, her mood improved as the other guests arrived. Simon Barnier, announced in sonorous tones by Didier, moved to greet his host and hostess. Even as he made his courtesies, his eyes roved the room until they rested on Hélène, and she saw from the rather intense look in his eyes that he appreciated how she looked. The moments ticked by and the conversation in the room became general, but Hélène felt as if she were an observer, looking at a play on a stage in a theatre. She had seen Simon moving in her direction, but he had been waylaid by Suzanne; he was an extremely eligible bachelor and there was Lucie to consider. As she watched, it was almost as if Hélène were holding her breath as she waited for Rupert Chalfont to appear.

The clock was striking the hour as Didier announced his name and he strode into the room, confident and charming, an outstretched hand and a smile for his hostess, his whole attention given to her. His dark hair was smoothed from curls to ripples, and thanks to the valet services at Le Coq d’Argent his evening dress was immaculate. He was careful to include all the St Clairs before greeting the Barrineau family. He spoke politely to the parents and made his bow to Lucie before returning to speak to Louise. Suzanne Barrineau felt confused. She didn’t want him to pay marked attention to her daughter or to make any move to capture her affection, and yet now he had only given her the briefest of greetings Suzanne felt that Lucie had been slighted.