When they were seated at a table in the supper room, Rupert said casually, ‘I’m leaving Montmichel tomorrow.’ Hélène looked up, suddenly stricken, and he went on, ‘I mustn’t outstay my welcome. The Barrineaux have been very hospitable, but it’s time I moved on.’

‘Oh.’ Hélène’s voice was hardly more than a whisper.

‘I think Madame Barrineau is afraid I will try to make Lucie have a tendre for me. She need not worry, of course; I have no intention of trying to do such a thing, for my heart is already given.’

‘I see.’ Hélène raised her chin. ‘How delightful. And will you be married soon?’

‘I don’t know,’ Rupert replied quite truthfully. ‘I don’t know if my feelings are reciprocated, and if by any lucky chance they are, I still have to convince her father to allow me to pay my addresses.’

‘So’ – Hélène worked hard at keeping her voice steady – ‘you’ll be leaving us to return to England.’

‘Oh no, not yet,’ Rupert said cheerfully. ‘I’ve taken rooms at Le Coq d’Argent. I shall send for my man to come to me and pass some time in this beautiful part of the country.’

Hélène felt the colour rise in her cheeks as she took in the import of his words. ‘So, you aren’t going far after all.’ She gave a sudden laugh. ‘Poor Madame Barrineau will think you’re staying to pay court to Lucie.’

Rupert grinned at this and said, ‘Well, she’ll discover that I am not. Though before I go tomorrow I’m invited to take coffee with her mother-in-law. She wants to hear all about the ball.’

‘Surely Lucie will tell her,’ Hélène said.

‘I’m sure she will,’ Rupert agreed, ‘but perhaps from a slightly different perspective.’

After supper, Rupert returned Hélène to her parents; he knew that he would not dance with her again, though he longed to do so.

‘Monsieur Chalfont.’ Rosalie greeted their return with a smile. ‘I hear from Suzanne that you’re leaving tomorrow. It has been such a pleasure to meet you.’

‘Indeed, madame, I am leaving Montmichel tomorrow, but I’m not going far. I’ve taken rooms at Le Coq d’Argent and plan to make an extended stay in the area.’

‘Indeed?’ Rosalie raised a polite eyebrow. ‘How delightful!’ And how Suzanne will hate it! ‘You must come to dine with us when we’ve got over all the excitement of Clarice’s wedding. I will send you a card.’

‘How kind of you,’ Rupert said with a smile. ‘I shall await the invitation with anticipation.’

Chapter 18

The morning after the ball Rupert asked Aristide to pack his valise and arrange to have it conveyed to Le Coq d’Argent.

‘I have taken a room there,’ he said to the footman, who had been acting as his valet during his stay at Montmichel. ‘They are expecting me.’

Aristide, now well aware of the Englishman’s generosity, said, ‘Would you like me to unpack it when I get there for you, sir?’

Rupert smiled. He didn’t blame him. If he had to rely on the generosity of someone like himself, he would offer any assistance which might tap into that generosity.