There was a moment of stunned silence broken by a cry of distress from Christina, who flew at her father with her fingers clawed. ‘How could you, Papa? You’ve ruined my big day and you’re going to marry a girl young enough to be your daughter.’

She turned furiously on Patricia. ‘You snake! You viper! You planned this all along – I hate you.’ She collapsed into Oscar’s arms.

Chapter Eighteen

Felicia was about to rush into the fray but Claude caught her by the wrist. She struggled furiously. ‘Let me go. I will have my say.’

‘Mama, this isn’t the time or place,’ Rosalind said in a low voice.

‘He can’t marry her without my permission.’

‘Now isn’t the time to discuss this, my dear.’ Claude pressed her down onto her seat. ‘I’ll get you a glass of brandy. Don’t move, Felicia.’

Sir Michael said something in a low voice to Oscar, who was struggling valiantly to keep Christina from attacking her father’s new fiancée.

‘You’ve ruined everything, you conniving cow,’ Christina sobbed.

‘Take her somewhere quiet, Oscar,’ Sir Michael said angrily. He clapped his hands. ‘Please enjoy the rest of the evening. The dancing will commence immediately.’ He signalled to the conductor who tapped his baton on his music stand and the orchestra struck up the grand march.

Rosalind shook off Alexander’s restraining hand and she edged her way towards Patricia, who was white with shock and trembling.

‘She wants to kill me,’ Patricia sobbed. ‘She hates me now, Rosie.’

‘What were you thinking of, Sir Michael?’ Rosalind said angrily. ‘You must have known how Christina would react. You ruined her engagement ball.’

‘I’m marrying your sister, Rosalind. I thought you would be grateful.’

‘You might be genuinely fond of her but you’ve humiliated both Patsy and Christina.’

‘It was your sister who wanted me to announce our engagement this evening.’

Rosalind faced him angrily. ‘And you’re old enough to know better. Patsy, I suggest you come home with us.’

‘What?’ Patricia wiped her eyes on a scrap of lace handkerchief. ‘Don’t be silly. I’m going to be the mistress of Greystone Park. This is my home now.’

Felicia hurried up to them, followed by Hester, with Claude and Alexander following at a safe distance.

‘My poor girl.’ Felicia wrapped her arms around Patricia, who pushed her away.

‘I am soon to be a married woman, Mama. I will be Lady Greystone, and I will take precedence over you. Isn’t that amusing?’

Felicia turned to Sir Michael, her eyes narrowed. ‘You have taken advantage of a young girl, sir.’

Sir Michael’s lip curled. ‘You obviously don’t know your daughter very well, Mrs de Marney. I have known Patricia since she was a child and I can assure you that she is perfectly capable of making her own decisions.’

‘I will oppose the marriage, Sir Michael.’