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‘Oh Miss Leigh, it’s not like you to be a marplot. You’re usually the most lively of companions in every lark.’

Angelica was not feeling particularly larky. However, despite her mother’s view that a joyful spirit militated against her advancement in highest society, she knew her temperament had always carried her through every kind of difficulty and obstacle and was grateful as her health recovered to feel hope bubbling again. The thought that she would have occasion to wear her grandmother’s beautiful necklace as a kind of protection and validation made the adventure appear rather more appealing. She smiled up into Lord Latimer’s handsome face and said, ‘As long as Isobel Fitzjames is also coming?’

‘Of course. And Dante too. And I don’t know if my wicked uncle and sour-eyed Lady Linus will be there. It all depends on what stage his bill on child labour might have reached in Parliament.’

They were just about to leave the Park when Angelica pulled him slightly away from the party and dropped her own voice. ‘Talking about your wicked uncle, could he in fact be a fairy godfather?’

Lord Latimer returned her mischievous gaze. ‘How so, milady?’

‘Could Miss Fitzjames’s benefactor have been Mr Asprey?’

His lordship looked startled. ‘You mean returned to the gaming tables to do a good turn for a stranger?’

‘Hush! I don’t want this bruited abroad. Mr Crowe runs a gaming house in Paris.’

‘Well, if my uncle has risked everything to play Hazard against that libertine, Lord Fulsham, he’s more reckless and foolhardy than I would ever have imagined! Damn me!’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘That would mean he’d returned to his old ways. He’s become so worthy and high-minded, I really don’t think it’s possible.’

They walked on a few more steps before Angelica noticed a familiar horseman approaching at speed. Only when he was about to canter past did the rider rein his horse in sharply. She looked up into the lean face of Cato Rackham, his eyes gleaming at the sight of her. ‘My dear Miss Leigh,’ he purred. ‘I am relieved to see you so well. You disappeared from your mother’s house and stories of your demise were rife. To where can you have been spirited away, I wonder?’

‘Thank you for your concern, Lord Rackham. I am much recovered.’ He had dismounted and she offered her gloved hand as his eyes flickered over her person appraisingly.

‘When can we enjoy once more your presence in the theatre?’

‘The new play opens in a month, I believe.’ She dropped her eyes, embarrassed by the expression in his.

Cato Rackham then surveyed the rest of the party, and bowed his head briefly in greeting. ‘Mr Locke, Lord Latimer, good day.’ His eyes settled on Prosper Crowe who had pulled his hat a little lower and his scarf up, half obscuring his face. ‘Good day to you, sir. Do we know each other?’ His piercing gaze was on her father’s face.

Angelica turned back to Lord Rackham and said, ‘My lord, may I introduce a friend from France, Mr Prosper Crowe. Mr Crowe, this is Lord Rackham.’

Both men bowed while Lord Rackham looked from Mr Crowe’s face to Angelica’s, a peculiar expression in his eyes. ‘I must be mistaken in thinking we have met. Forgive me. When do you return to your homeland?’

‘In a couple of days when I have concluded my business obligations here.’ Prosper Crowe spoke in a strange, neutral voice, all his natural lilt gone.

Cato Rackham turned to address Angelica. ‘Miss Leigh, I will call on you at your mother’s house. It has just occurred to me I might have a proposition that will interest you.’ With that, he swung into the saddle and cantered back through the trees.

Something about this interaction disturbed Angelica’s equanimity. There seemed to be a hidden threat behind Lord Rackham’s words. She always found his rakish demeanour unsettling but her father’s reaction to him gave her cause for further anxiety. They were both rogues, but of a quite different stripe. Was it just that each recognised the disreputableness in the other? She took her father’s arm as they strolled up the incline towards St James’s Square, walking slightly ahead of the young men and Mary.

Prosper Crowe smiled down at Angelica with a certain sly admiration. ‘I had not realised my beautiful daughter had caught the eye of the young lord. He’s the son and heir to a dukedom, if I’m not mistaken. Who’d have thought my little angel could become the duchess of a noble line, endowed with great estates!’

She bridled under his presumption and avaricious glee. ‘Sir! I do not expect this at all. Lord Latimer is a charming young man, but I am an actress and his family would oppose any such liaison.’

‘That may still be true in France, despite La Révolution, but here actresses are perfectly acceptable as wives of the aristocracy. You should not be shy on that account.’

‘Mr Crowe, I hardly need your advice on such matters!’ Angelica could not keep the anger from her voice.

He laughed. His complete lack of shame made him difficult to reprove. As they reached the shiny door of number four, Angelica turned to him and offered her hand. ‘Thank you for accompanying me on my first walk for a long time. It has done me much good. I now know I am well enough to return to my mother’s house tomorrow.’

Mr Crowe bowed. ‘I will call on you and Mrs Leigh in the next few days. I have much to say to her, not least to commend her on our daughter.’ He bowed again before walking off, pulling his hat further over his brow.

Lord Latimer and Dante Locke also took their leave. Bowing over Angelica’s hand, his lordship said, ‘Miss Leigh, I too will call on you at home. We have much to discuss.’ His expression was full of portent.

Revived by his breezy conversation with her father about the vagaries of Continental travel, Dante Locke also clasped Angelica’s hand and held it to his breast, his dark eyes lustrous in his pale face. With a soft lisping voice he intoned,

‘Adieu, fair thing! Without upbraiding I fair would take a decent leave;

thy beauty still survives unfading, and undeceived, may long deceive.’

Angelica gave a mock curtsey. ‘Why thank you, Mr Locke. Is that you or Lord Byron speaking?’