It had been quite impossible all day for Shenda not to think constantly of the Captain.
But when they finally set off for Carlton House, she was too excited to concentrate on anything but the party ahead.
The Duke had told them at luncheon that he had learnt from His Royal Highness that two thousand guests had been invited to be there at nine o’clock promptly.
It was obvious from the congestion of carriages in Pall Mall and the Haymarket that everyone was anxious to arrive early.
The Earl and Countess had intended to be the first guests, but they found a queue in front of them.
As they entered Carlton House, they were received by equerries, who conducted them to tents and corridors on the front garden.
There the Prince Regent was waiting for them.
He was wearing a Field Marshal’s fu
