Alexander was standing directly behind Crillick. I saw him give a sly smile. He was in on it, then. No one else, though, from the expectant looks on their faces and the way they whispered to one another. Even Vincent didn’t seem sure. Crillick strode from the room, and after a moment his guests began to follow him. The breaking up of the party brought Vincent to me.

‘You know what this is?’ I asked him.

He pulled me to one side, away from the current of people that swirled around us. The ladies bunched up by the doorway, not caring if their gowns got crushed. It wouldn’t be them up all night with starch and a sewing kit.

‘It will be some frolic – you know Marcus,’ Vincent said, but his eyes were wary.

I did. It was precisely that – knowing Crillick – that had me worried. He was only ever happy at someone else’s expense and all night he’d worn a grin that nigh-on split his face. What exactly had he been up to on the Continent? A grim fascination took hold of me and I moved to join the line of guests as it snaked down the corridor. It was Vincent’s hand at my waist that stopped me.

‘Vincent!’ I hissed, startled, but there was no need. No one had noticed. Maybe they wouldn’t care. Maids were fair game for the gentlemen of the house, after all. Now Vincent stood inches from me, so close it made it seem like it was just us two, centre stage, and the remaining guests in the drawing room around us extras, props.

‘You don’t look so pretty when you’re frowning, Zillah. What’s wrong?’

Vincent was looking at me intently. He could see that something troubled me, but what could I say to make him understand even half of it? I fiddled at the corset that I was bound up in, but it was laced good and tight. All the fine breakfasts and dinners I’d been eating since living with Vincent were starting to show.

‘What were you talking to Hen about?’ he said.

‘Nothing much. She knew my name and asked how we’d met.’

‘That’s all? You must stay away from her.’

I couldn’t read what I saw in his eyes. I was ready to ask him, but before I could speak, Crillick was back to round up the stragglers. He poked his head into the drawing room.

‘Well now, what’s all this,’ he said and I stepped back smartly, feeling guilty though I’d done nothing wrong.

‘Come, my man, the show’s about to start,’ he said, without a glance at me.

‘Right you are,’ said Vincent.

Crillick disappeared again.

‘Come on,’ Vincent said. ‘There’ll be no rest until he’s made his show.’