Her problem was that she didn’t want him to marry at all. While he was still single she could cherish the daydream of Eddy one day having romantic feelings for her. And if she wanted to continue with that daydream, she should now say that she couldn’t think of anything that could possibly help them. But at the sight of Hélène’s distraught face and the despair in the set of Eddy’s shoulders as he walked over to the drinks cabinet, she knew, even as the thought came, that it was one she would never act on.

Eddy poured himself a shot of brandy and said, ‘The letter Hélène’s father wrote to Cardinal Manning received an unoptimistic reply, May. According to him, the law that prevents an heir to the throne from marrying a Catholic could only be overturned with the agreement of both Houses of Parliament – and according to my father, that is as likely as pigs flying.’

An emotionally drained Hélène sank exhaustedly into a nearby armchair. ‘And so, short of changing my religion, or Eddy stepping out of the succession, we don’t know what to do next. Eddy thinks you may be able to help us, May, for he says you are wonderfully sensible and clear-sighted.’

It wasn’t the mundane way in which May wanted to be thought of by Eddy, but it was better than him not thinking of her at all.

‘What did the Queen say, when the two of you told her you wanted to marry?’ she asked, struggling to think of a way out of the impasse.

‘We haven’t spoken to her ourselves.’ Eddy downed his brandy and walked over to Hélène’s chair, then put an arm lovingly around her shoulders. ‘Once I told my father I wished to marry Hélène, he was so pleased he took it upon himself to tell Granny immediately.’

May’s disbelief was total. ‘But you have to speak to her yourselves! Once she sees how deeply in love the two of you are, she may well speak to the Prime Minister and some kind of a solution might then be found.’

‘Do you truly think so?’

‘Yes. I truly think so. Beneath her stern exterior, the Queen is very sentimental, and your father speaking on your behalf wouldn’t have touched her heart in the same way that the two of you going hand-in-hand to speak to her would do.’

‘Then that,’ Eddy said slowly and with renewed hope, ‘is exactly what we’re going to do.’

Maudie went on, ‘Granny Queen is at Balmoral. It’s an awful long way to go.’

‘No, it isn’t. If I thought it would result in my being able to marry Hélène, I’d happily walk barefoot to the ends of the earth.’