“Your hair is so pretty,” Gretna exclaimed. “But you are arranging it in a new fashion.”
“Yes, and we must see if yours can be done the same way,” Maria answered. “It is called à la hedgehog, it is amusing.”
“It is very becoming,” Gretna said in admiration and Maria bent to kiss her cheek before she hurried from the room, leaving a faint fragrance of expensive perfume behind her.
Gretna had no time in the next few hours to think about the Marquis or what he must suppose from her second hurried departure.
It was only when finally Maria Fitzherbert had left for Carlton House, carrying a fan glittering with brilliants and looking so beautiful in a huge looped gown of pale blue brocade with a diamond necklace that Gretna could only stare at her as if she was a being from another world, tha
