Ruby swept out of the drawing room then. She too was going out for dinner with her gentleman admirer that evening and was surrounded by a cloud of expensive perfume. Sensing immediately what was going on, she wagged her finger at Miss Fox.

‘I hope you’re not giving our girl a hard time, Foxy,’ she scolded. ‘She is entitled to enjoy herself, you know. Kitty is a very beautiful young woman and she’s bound to attract admirers.’

‘I know that well enough.’ Miss Fox glared right back at her. ‘And you shouldn’t scowl. It gives you wrinkles.’

Ruby instantly composed herself and gave a charming smile as a knock sounded on the front door.

‘Ah, that will be dear Hector. He’s always so punctual.’ Then glancing at Kitty, she giggled. ‘Do have a good evening, my dear, but don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do.’

‘Well, that gives her plenty of scope,’ Miss Fox muttered.

Ruby glided towards the door just as the maid answered it – and sure enough, Hector Smethwick was standing there clutching an enormous box of expensive chocolates.

‘Oh, Hector, you really shouldn’t have,’ Ruby simpered as she took them off him and handed them to the maid. ‘A girl must watch her figure, you know.’

‘Your figure is perfect, my dear.’ He smiled at her adoringly and proffered his arm, and as the door closed behind them, Miss Fox rolled her eyes towards the heavens.

‘She never learns,’ she sighed, but Kitty had no time to answer before another knock sounded. Once again the little maid tripped away to answer it, and this time Kitty’s heart skipped a beat as she saw Richard Fitzherbert on the step, looking so handsome that he almost took her breath away.

‘I don’t want her late back – do you hear me?’ Miss Fox said rudely and Kitty wished the ground would just open up and swallow her. Richard, however, took it in his stride as he doffed his hat in her direction.

‘I wouldn’t dream of keeping her out too late,’ he said smoothly, and then he and Kitty left too, and Miss Fox watched them go with her hands on her hips, looking none too pleased.

‘I apologise for that. I think Miss Fox must be in a bad mood this evening,’ Kitty said as Richard chivalrously helped her into his motor car. This was her first proper date with a gentleman – or with anyone, if it came to that – and Kitty suddenly felt shy.

Richard came around to the driver’s side and hopped in beside her, before taking her hand and kissing it.

‘Your Miss Fox need not worry. I shall take the greatest care of you,’ he told her, and Kitty’s young heart began to race again as he started the car and drove them towards the West End. Kitty was so excited that she paid no attention to where they were going and she kept peeping at him from the corner of her eye.