Kitty watched her go in amazement. Miss Fox had been perfectly lovely about her forthcoming nuptials. She just hoped her mother would react as well.

It was almost a week before Kitty saw Richard again. She had been waiting for him to telephone or call by, but when he didn’t she went to visit him and found him at work in his studio.

‘I was getting worried,’ she told him truthfully. ‘I expected you to call and see me and when you didn’t …’

‘I’ve been run off my feet organising the wedding and I was going to come and see you this evening.’

‘Oh.’ She instantly felt guilty and he was forgiven. ‘And how is everything going? Do we have a venue and a date yet?’

‘We do, as it happens.’ He lit a cigarette and leaning against the back of a chair he stared at her. ‘We’re to be married in the registry office in Westminster at eleven o’clock on the fourteenth of July. How does that sound?’

‘It sounds wonderful.’ Crossing to him she flung her arms about his neck. ‘And afterwards Miss Fox is organising a small reception back at Ruby’s. Will you be inviting many people?’

‘Not that many.’ He gently untangled her arms. ‘I thought we’d just have it quiet and select.’

‘But your family will be coming, won’t they?’ She sighed with relief when he nodded. Secretly she thought it would have been far better if she had been able to meet them before the wedding day but she supposed it was too close to worry now, only three weeks away.

‘And where shall we live afterwards?’

‘Ah, now that’s a secret.’ When he tapped the side of his nose she giggled. It was all so exciting. She had supposed that they would live here, but perhaps he was planning to surprise her with a new house somewhere? He hadn’t been spending a lot of time here lately, she suddenly realised.

‘And what about … your friends?’ Her face was anguished now. ‘Have they agreed that I won’t have to entertain them any more?’

‘Yes, of course. Everything has been concluded most satisfactorily. I even have the photographs in my possession now so you can stop worrying and concentrate on getting ready for the big day. Unfortunately, I heard from my mother that my father has been ill, so I will be going away tomorrow to spend a few days with him. I hope that he’ll be well again in no time, but don’t fret if you don’t hear from me for a while. I shall be back in plenty of time for the wedding, never you fear, and then it would be better if I popped over to see you at Ruby’s when I get back, as there’s a lot of packing up to be done here.’

Kitty felt a tingle of excitement. He had just confirmed what she had suspected – that he had found a new house for them to live in. Otherwise why would he be packing? But she didn’t wish to spoil what he obviously wanted to be a surprise so she simply nodded sweetly. Inside, her heart was singing. She would never have to kowtow to any of Richard’s colleagues again, and very soon now she would be Mrs Katherine Fitzherbert. She was a little disappointed that Richard had to go away, admittedly. And again, she was also a little miffed and hurt that he hadn’t offered to take her along, but the knowledge that she would soon be his wife, for better or for worse, and with their child on the way, outweighed every other emotion and she would have laid down her life for him if asked.