‘What will you do now?’ Rupert asked.

Hélène sighed. ‘Go home again, I suppose. Pretend that I was sitting in the garden and fell asleep in the sun. But when I get the chance I shall ask Madame Sauze about Annette and what she will do now.’

‘Why this Madame Sauze? Why not your mother?’

‘Madame Sauze looked after me for a while when I was a child. That’s how I know Annette.’

‘I see,’ replied Rupert. But he didn’t. He didn’t see at all. All he knew was that Hélène was extremely upset that this Annette had lost her baby, and that she should not be wandering through the fields on her own.

He got to his feet and held out his hand. ‘Come,’ he said. ‘If you’re to have been asleep in the garden, we’d better get you back there before they start looking for you.’ He reached into his pocket and brought out a second handkerchief and, silently blessing his mother for always insisting that a man should carry two, he handed it to her.

‘Dry your eyes,’ he said gently, ‘and blow your nose. Then remember, chins are being worn very high this year!’

This brought a weak smile to her lips and she did as he told her, including, as she turned to face him, raising her chin.

Together they continued along the footpath towards the gate in the wall that led back into the garden. As they opened it and entered, the first person they saw was Simon Barnier. He stared at them in amazement.

‘Good afternoon, monsieur,’ Rupert said smoothly. ‘I hope I see you well.’

‘Where have you been?’ Barnier demanded, ignoring the greeting.

‘I beg your pardon, sir,’ replied Rupert, ‘but if it’s any business of yours, Miss Hélène has kindly been pointing out the convenient shortcut across the fields to the village.’

‘They said she was in the garden,’ snapped Barnier. ‘I came to find her.’

‘As did I, monsieur,’ answered Rupert.

‘Why was she?’

‘Why was she what, monsieur?’

‘Showing you the footpath to the village?’

‘Because that is where I am staying.’ Rupert smiled, but his smile did not reach his eyes. Nor did he offer any further explanation.

‘Are you all right?’ Barnier said, noticing for the first time Hélène’s tear-stained cheeks. ‘Has this man been pestering you?’ He took a step towards Rupert, who stood his ground, his whole stance a challenge.

‘No, of course not,’ she snapped. ‘I was simply showing him the footpath to the village. What do you want?’

‘Your mother wants you,’ Simon told her. ‘I said I would look for you in the garden.’

‘Then I shall go and find her.’ Hélène spoke briskly. ‘Good afternoon, gentlemen.’ With that, she turned on her heel and, raising her chin, marched off towards the house.

Rupert watched her go, smiling slightly at the tilt of her head.

‘As for you, Chalfont,’ Simon said, turning on Rupert, ‘you can stay away from my fiancée.’