‘There be a lady at the door, my Lord,” he said, “and she wants to speak to you urgently.”
For a moment the Earl wondered who it could be.
However thinking it a mistake to ask questions of the servant, he went from the ballroom into the hall.
The front door was open and he could see a carriage outside.
It still did not strike him as to who it was until he went down the steps.
Then he recognised the Livery of the footman at the carriage door.
He opened it and the Earl looked inside.
Lady Hermione was elaborately gowned and wearing a diamond tiara in her dark hair.
“I have come to your party, darling David,” she said, “but I am waiting for you to escort me inside.”
“I am afraid that is impossible,” the Earl replied.
“But why? What do you mean?” she demanded.
“In the first place I
