She took a deep breath and told him about the competition and the invitation she had received.

‘I w-will p-pay you, of c-course,’ she said. ‘If we c-can come to s-some agreement on the terms.’

‘Certainly!’ He took the slice of cake she offered. ‘I should like to help you win that competition very much.’

The feeling in his voice took Beatrice by surprise and made her suddenly suspicious. ‘If we are t-to w-work t-together in this endeavour, I m-must h-have your w-word that y-you will n-not attempt to p-p-pillage the g-garden for your own p-profit.’

For a moment James said nothing at all. Then a flush crept over his face and he carefully put down the cake. For the first time since she had known him, he looked angry.

‘Pillage?’ he finally said. ‘I am sorry you think so little of me.’

‘Orchid h-hunters s-strip the l-land b-bare,’ she said. ‘You c-cannot d-d-deny that.’

‘There are many unscrupulous orchid hunters,’ James agreed. ‘Men chasing riches, who care nothing for the flowers themselves and have no respect for the foreign lands they travel through. I’m not one of them.’

Beatrice suddenly recalled the care and respect James had always shown towards the grounds of Half Moon House, and the genuine, steadfast friendship he had given her during the years of their childhood. She was painfully aware that he was the only friend she had ever really had, other than Rosa. Guilt slithered in the pit of her stomach and she knew she ought to apologise, but couldn’t quite work out how to phrase it without making herself look foolish.

‘If I seem eager to help you,’ James went on, ‘it is only because, of all the people I’ve ever known, I can think of few more deserving of a wish than you.’

Beatrice flushed uncomfortably. What was that supposed to mean? Was he pitying her? Her desire to apologise suddenly evaporated and she felt irritated and ashamed instead.

‘If I am ever fortunate enough to visit the Winter Garden,’ James said, ‘I would not remove so much as a leaf.’ He looked at her closely. ‘You have my word on that. It is as good as any gentleman’s, I believe.’ He picked the cake back up and took a bite. ‘Well, this is excellent,’ he said with a smile. ‘Even if I only got it because you want something from me.’

Beatrice wasn’t sure what to say to that, since he was perfectly correct. She would not have dreamed of taking tea with him like this if it wasn’t for the competition, and the help she required.