‘I see.’ Rupert was surprised at this sudden onslaught. ‘So what you’re saying is that I must come home to live permanently and take control.’

‘That’s exactly what I’m saying,’ said Fran. ‘Papa and Mama need you here. Like it or not, you’re going to be the head of this family, and if Papa’s health is any guide, maybe sooner rather than later.’ She paused and when Rupert made no comment, she continued, ‘You can see that Mama has withdrawn into a world of her own. It’s up to you now. You’re going to have to pull this family through, and one of the best things you can do is to produce an heir before Papa dies.’

‘Produce an heir?’ echoed Rupert. ‘Just like that? Probably have to get married first, wouldn’t you say?’

‘Exactly,’ Fran said firmly. ‘You must get married and get on with starting a family.’

‘Nothing I’d like better, but I can’t see Hélène’s parents agreeing to anything that quickly.’

‘Hélène?’

For a moment Frances looked puzzled and Rupert said, ‘Remember? I told you about her when I came home. I have an understanding with the most beautiful French girl. I told you I was going to marry her.’

‘Oh, yes,’ replied Fran flatly. ‘I do remember you saying something like that, but I didn’t think it was serious. I mean that was all before… while you were away. I mean you’re not actually engaged, are you?’

‘Yes, we actually are. Well,’ he amended, ‘I’ve asked her to marry me and she said yes. She’s only seventeen and so her parents have insisted that we wait until the spring before our betrothal becomes official, but as far as I am concerned, we’re engaged to be married.’

‘Oh, Rupert,’ sighed Fran. ‘What have you done?’

‘What have I done? I’ve proposed marriage to the woman I wish to marry and she has accepted me. It happened before I left France.’

‘Before you heard about Justin,’ Fran said flatly.

‘Well, no, not exactly.’ Rupert felt the need to be scrupulously honest. ‘It was when I knew I had to come home that I proposed, but her father had already given me permission to address her. There is nothing hole-in-the-corner about our engagement, but we both accepted his stipulation that there should be no formal betrothal until next spring.’

‘So, you are not formally engaged,’ stated Fran firmly. ‘You can get out of it with no loss of honour.’

‘If I tried to do any such thing,’ Rupert said, ‘it would be with great loss of honour. I have given my word. But, Fran, why should I want to?’

‘You may not want to,’ conceded Frances, ‘but I think Papa will want to discuss this with you.’

She was quite right, and it was the very next morning that Sir Philip summoned Rupert to the library. He was already ensconced in his armchair and he waved Rupert to the one on the other side of the fireplace.

‘Now then, my boy,’ he said with something of his earlier manner, ‘we’ve got some serious thinking to do. It’s time to consider the future.’