As soon as the gentlemen joined the ladies after dinner, the Earl, without making much effort to be discreet, gravitated towards Esme Meldrum.
He thought her beautiful as she stood against a background of exotic flowers, apparently looking out at the last rays of the setting sun.
The Prince, unlike most hosts, would never have the curtains drawn until night had actually fallen.
The candles were lit in the chandeliers in the salon and their reflections glittered on the diamonds round Esme’s neck. But they were not as brilliant, the Earl thought, as the light in her eyes.
He was aware, being very experienced with women, that it was because she was looking at him that she appeared to be so very radiant and there was also an undeniable invitation in the soft smile on her lips.
For a short
