“Her name,” the Countess was saying, “is Honora. I don’t suppose you remember meeting George’s brother. He was very popular and, although he was wildly extravagant, he had a great many friends. Unfortunately he was killed in an accident while out hunting.”

“I seem to remember hearing about it,” the Duke replied vaguely.

“His wife had died previously,” Aline went on, “and, of course, as poor Harry left no money and a mountain of debts, George had to pay up as well as look after his daughter. She was sixteen, and as I remember, quite a pretty little thing.”

“What happened to her?” the Duke asked in a voice that showed he was not particularly interested.

“As I had neither the time nor the inclination to look after a girl of sixteen,” Aline said, and now there was a sharp note in her voice, “I persuaded George to send her to a very good Finishing School in Florence.”

The Duke did not speak as she went on,

“As she is now over eighteen, they have refused to keep her any longer and she is arriving here tomorrow.”

There was silence.

Then the Duke said,

“Are you seriously suggesting that I should marry this girl?”

“It seems a reasonable idea.”

“Reasonable?”

“But, darling, what alternative is there except to marry the Princess? George will make no objections, neither shall I, to your marrying Honora and the engagement can be announced immediately.”

“How can I marry a girl who is just out of the schoolroom? And who has not the slightest idea of the life I lead or what will be expected of her?”

The Countess smiled.

“Is that not rather a good thing? Don’t be so stupid, Ulric. Can you not see that, as she knows nothing about Society life or us, we can do just exactly as we like? Once you are married to her she can stay in the country with your children! You must have at least half-a-dozen! And you will be as free as you are now!”

The Duke stared at her.

“I think this is the craziest idea I have ever heard!”

Aline made a very pretty gesture of helplessness before she said,

“I am only trying to help. Perhaps you would prefer to discuss it with the Queen!”

The Duke groaned.

“You know I cannot do that!”

“When are you next going to Buckingham Palace?”

“I am in attendance on Thursday.”

“Then how do you know that Her Majesty is not going to speak to you then? Once she has actually informed you that she will give the Royal approval and her blessing to your marriage with Prince Albert’s delightful and charming cousin Princess Sophie, how can you refuse?”

The Duke was silent knowing, infuriating though it was, that Aline was speaking the truth.

It would be impossible for any one of the Queen’s household to refuse what she and Prince Albert would think was a most gracious gesture on their part without being ostracised from the Royal Presence and being deprived of his official duties.