‘Provided Madame Barrineau can spare you,’ he said. ‘I’ve trespassed on her hospitality long enough. In the meantime,’ he went on, ‘I have been invited to drink a cup of coffee with Madame Barrineau, Monsieur’s mother.’

He went downstairs and, finding Gaspard in his pantry, asked him to take his card up to Madame Barrineau senior and enquire if she was receiving visitors. Aristide wasn’t the only one who had been charmed by Rupert’s engaging manner – even Gaspard unbent enough to say, ‘Certainly, Monsieur Chalfont. I know Madame is expecting you.’

Sure enough, within minutes the butler returned to say that Madame would be delighted to receive him. ‘If you would follow me, monsieur,’ Gaspard said, ‘I will show you to Madame’s apartments.’ He led the way into another wing of the house, where Monsieur Barrineau’s mother lived separately with her own household.

Opening the outer door, Gaspard led Rupert into a lofty hall and, having knocked on one of the panelled doors that led off it, announced Rupert, standing aside to let him into the room beyond. It was a spacious apartment with cream-painted walls and a gilded ceiling. Wide windows gave out onto the rose garden immediately below with a more distant prospect across parklands and a vineyard, all resting peacefully in the morning sun.

Madame Barrineau was seated in a gilded armchair upholstered in deep red silk. She made no effort to stand, nor did Rupert expect her to, but she smiled at him and extended her hand in greeting.

‘Monsieur Chalfont.’

‘Madame Barrineau.’ Rupert crossed the room to her and took the hand, lifting it to his lips. ‘I hope I find you well this morning and not too fatigued after the wedding.’

‘Well, I have to admit I am a trifle tired, even though I didn’t go to the ball.’ She waved him to another chair set at an angle to her own so that she could both see and hear him. ‘You danced the night away, I suppose.’

‘Much of it, madame,’ he agreed with a smile. ‘I knew so few ladies that I must admit I did not stand up for every dance, but it was an extremely pleasant evening.’

‘And did you dance with my granddaughter?’ she demanded with a sly twinkle.

‘Yes, indeed,’ he replied with an answering grin. ‘A very beautiful young lady, if I may say so.’

Madame Barrineau gave a chuckle. ‘My daughter-in-law must have known a few moments’ worry,’ she said. ‘She wishes a brilliant match for Lucie, as indeed we all do, and you, I believe, are a younger son.’

Rupert inclined his head. ‘Only by two hours, madame.’

‘Might as well be two years,’ pointed out the old lady.

‘So it might,’ Rupert said cheerfully, ‘but I don’t let that fact spoil my life. Indeed, I am extremely fond of my brother Justin and I’m sure that having spent an extra two hours in the world makes him a much wiser man than I.’