‘It was a pleasure, sir,’ Rupert replied. ‘And indeed she’s invited me to visit her in her rooms after the ball. I rather think she wants me to tell all that goes on there.’

Louis Barrineau gave a laugh. ‘I’m sure she does and that you’ll be more than welcome,’ he said. ‘My mother was determined to be at Lucas’s wedding, she hates to be left out, but I think the ball will be beyond her strength.’

At that moment there was a general movement from the pavilion as the bridal couple went out to their waiting carriage. Their departure was soon followed by the last of the guests, and Rupert had to take his place in one of the Barrineau carriages to return to Montmichel. He watched as Hélène turned to go back into the house. He’d had no opportunity to speak with her again before he took his leave of her parents, but as she reached the door she glanced back. For a moment their eyes met and he saw the colour flood her cheeks and couldn’t repress a smile. Tomorrow night they would meet at the ball and he would hold her in his arms as they danced.

As Hélène relived the evening from the moment she had seen him, she gave herself a mental shake. His manners were easy and engaging and must make him agreeable to any woman; there was no reason to think that he had treated her differently from anyone else, that he thought of her differently, or at all. But she thought of him and it was he who filled her mind as she finally drifted off to sleep.

*

Many in the household slept late the next morning, but despite only a few hours’ sleep Hélène was awake early. As she did so often, she went to her window seat and looked out over the parterre. Although it was early, the sun was up, flooding the garden with sunshine. She looked down at the arbour by the rose garden where she had sat with her brother and sister-in-law last evening… and with Rupert Chalfont. Her reverie was broken by a clattering in the stable yard and, turning, she saw that Henri, the stable boy, was hitching one of the farm horses to a waggon. It seemed to be a strange activity for so early in the morning and even as she watched, a woman she didn’t know emerged into the yard carrying a bundle, followed by Madame Sauze with her arm round Annette, almost as if she were supporting her. Then Pierre appeared, and to Hélène’s surprise, he gathered Annette into his arms and lifted her onto the waggon, setting her down gently on a pile of sacks. The strange woman got in beside her, and with that Henri climbed up on the seat and with a click of his teeth and a shake of the reins drove the waggon slowly out of the yard.

What is going on? wondered Hélène. There was only one way to find out; she must ask Madame Sauze. Dressing quickly, she went out onto the landing. The house was still quiet, and though she could hear voices from the nursery, it appeared that no one else was awake. Quietly Hélène went downstairs and made her way to the kitchen. There she found Lizette stoking the stove into life, but there was no sign of Agathe Sauze.