She wondered whether the true reason could be that James was jealous of her upcoming marriage, but then surely he would not have agreed to provide flowers for her wedding if that were the case?

He seemed unconcerned by her surprise. ‘I am not most orchid hunters; I am glad to say.’

‘But this is the most foolish thing I ever heard, Mr Sheppard,’ Rosa said. ‘I can hardly credit it, because I know you are not a foolish man. You should be falling over yourself to provide the orchids for Raven Hall. I must demand an explanation.’

Cookie was nudging James’s boots most insistently, so he leaned down to pet him once again.

‘I would not wish to speak ill of your betrothed, Miss Warren,’ James replied, ‘but if you must demand an explanation, then it is perfectly simple. The duke mistreats his horses. I make it a rule not to work for any man or woman who does so.’

Rosa recalled that James had a great love of horses and had once told her that if he could not have become an orchid hunter, then he would happily have been a groom instead. She had been shocked by his remark, since a groom really was one of the lowliest jobs in service that one could do, but when she’d said as much, he’d merely laughed and made some ridiculous comment about generally preferring horses to people.

‘I’m sure you are misinformed,’ she said now. ‘The duke is so kind and courteous – I cannot believe for a moment that he mistreats his horses. Besides, they’re far too valuable.’

‘Be that as it may,’ James said, ‘my orchids will not go to Raven Hall.’

Rosa opened her mouth to argue further, but just then another gentleman called to James from across the room and he took his leave with a bow. When Eustace returned with her refreshments a moment later, she recounted the conversation to him – omitting the part about the horses.

‘I endeavoured to employ Mr Sheppard’s services last year, but he declined,’ he told her. ‘No matter. There are other orchid hunters in the world.’

‘But none so good,’ Rosa protested. She felt suddenly crestfallen. After all, James really was the best in the business. No one else was ever likely to present her with a galaxy orchid.

Some of her dismay must have shown on her face, for Eustace said, ‘Well, if it means that much to you, my dear, then I will speak to Mr Sheppard again.’

Rosa expected that he meant at some time in the future, so she was surprised when he immediately excused himself and crossed the ballroom right then and there. The two men spoke for only a matter of minutes before James gave a stiff bow, and Eustace returned to Rosa’s side with a smile.

‘It is done,’ he said. ‘Mr Sheppard will provide orchids for our hothouses.’