Rosalie had been right. When the news of Rupert’s marriage filtered through to their friends, few were surprised. He had been a bird of passage and had gone home to his family three months ago. Now he was his father’s heir, no one had expected him to return. The rumour of his engagement to Hélène was soon forgotten when it was seen that she was apparently unmoved by the news. The social life of St Etienne settled back into its familiar pattern of dinner parties, musical evenings, cards and the occasional informal dance, organised in someone’s home.

Gradually, Hélène was drawn into the social round and though Rosalie often had to persuade her to accept the invitations she received, when she did go, she found that a convivial evening with old friends could pass without her thoughts being drawn back to Rupert.

Rosalie watched with relief as Hélène seemed to be recovering something of the bloom which had seemed to capture Rupert’s heart.

When Simon Barnier made his surprise visit to Emile, to ask his permission to address Hélène, Rosalie encouraged Emile to agree.

‘Hélène’s taken a blow to her self-esteem,’ she told him. ‘She needs to feel loved and admired, and the sooner she has another beau, the sooner she’ll forget Rupert Chalfont and look forward rather than back.’

Emile did not need much encouragement. He knew that an alliance with the Barnier family would be another rung up the social ladder. He still had to work for his living, but that living was good. He was a professional man, much respected in his world, and before very long he would be able to retire from practice and live as a country gentleman should.

‘Have you spoken to Hélène yet?’ her father asked.

‘Certainly not, sir,’ replied Simon, shocked. ‘It would be most improper to approach her before receiving your permission to do so.’

‘What? Oh, yes, of course.’ Emile held out his hand. ‘Well, you have it, so you may approach her whenever you feel the time is right.’

Simon left Belair that afternoon feeling very satisfied with the move he had made. He had not loved Clarice when she was snatched from under his nose by Lucas Barrineau and he did not love Hélène, either, but he desired her with every fibre of his being. He longed to possess her and make her entirely his own, thus banishing any lingering feeling for Rupert Chalfont.

For the next few weeks he set about courting Hélène, paying her marked attention at any gathering and generally making himself agreeable. Hélène was aware of him as she had not been before, but she didn’t attach any significance to his behaviour. She had no idea that he had already approached her parents and that at any time now, Simon might propose marriage to her. Thus it was that when, three weeks later, he arrived unannounced at Belair and he found her sitting alone in the morning room, reading, she was surprised to see him. She was even more surprised when, having discovered her alone, he did not leave the room with an apology, but closed the door behind him and advanced towards her. She got to her feet, feeling somehow at a disadvantage as he approached.