‘I cannot provide you with titles and estates,’ he said, ‘which I fear is what you most desire. But I must tell you that I think you are the most wonderful and extraordinary person I have ever had the privilege to know.’

Rosa’s breath caught in her throat. Was he really speaking to her in such a way? Was this actually happening? She knew she ought to stop him before he could go on, yet she sat as if transfixed, unable to interrupt him even if her life had depended on it.

‘It would be my great honour to offer you love and devotion,’ James went on. ‘And a life full of adventure and flowers. If you would permit me, I would exert every effort in my power to make you happy. And so the question I must ask you, despite already knowing the answer, is whether you would ever consider accepting me as your husband?’

Rosa could hardly breathe. The flame inside her exploded in a firework of joy and, for a single blinding moment, she thought she might throw away all her ambitions, and hopes, and dreams for her glittering future and actually say yes.

But then the firework burned itself out, as fireworks must inevitably do, leaving behind only ash, and Rosa forced herself to straighten her shoulders and stiffen her spine. It was impossible, of course – a child’s dream.

Do not give in to any girlish sentiments, her mother’s voice echoed inside her head. Or you will regret it for the rest of your life …

And certainly she had not turned down the hand of princes and noblemen abroad in order to become the wife of a mere orchid hunter. Since her arrival in London she had often heard English ladies declaring that love was bourgeois – something for the lower classes and fools – and she couldn’t help but agree. When she had a title, she would join the ranks of an established family. She would never again have to hear those hateful words: ‘Oh, the Warrens? New money, you know.’ And witness the nose-wrinkle that went with it, as if a bad smell had appeared in the room. She could not give up on her plans to rise to the very top of society for any man, not even for James.

‘I can’t.’ The words slipped from her mouth and made her shiver with a sudden chill, yet it was a relief to say them all the same. ‘Of course I hold you in very high regard—’

She began to recite the accepted speech, but James was on his feet in an instant. ‘Please say no more,’ he said, smiling easily. ‘Your answer is as I expected. I had to ask the question, that is all. I hope you will keep the orchid regardless?’

He held out the flower, but she recoiled from it as if it were a snake.