CHAPTER TENFor the next few days the sun was shining and Brighthelmstone seemed to Gretna a place of enchantment. In front of the Pavilion was a lawn filled with shrubs and flowers and beyond it going down to the sea was a broad open space that was known as ‘the Stein’.
Every day the Prince and Maria walked along the Stein, taking in the sea air and meeting their friends and acquaintances.
It was all very informal and still more unconventional were the fun little dinner parties that took place either in the Pavilion or at Maria’s house.
Gretna found these far more amusing and entertaining than the great formal throngs at Carlton House had ever been.
Only the Prince’s closest and quieter friends had followed him to Brighthelmstone. The rowdy, wild young sparks had stayed in London, unab
