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gallant of him to have deserted Fanny, as he must have done, in such a large crowd. It would do no good complaining, however. Fanny needed to believe in him, and she herself had to live in harmony with him while they were in such circumscribed quarters.
    ‘Do you want any food?’ she asked instead. ‘There are buffets in all the rooms, and I’ll fetch you some if you wish.’
    Fanny shook her head. ‘Tell me about Sir Carey. Did you find out much about him?’
    ‘Not a great deal, apart from the fact he has a cousin who is passionate about cats, and spends all his money on them.’
    ‘I wonder if he is married?’
    Julia frowned. ‘He didn’t say, but Fanny, please don’t try to matchmake. If you pursue him too eagerly, you’ll frighten him away.’
    Fanny looked thoughtful. ‘Yes, of course. You are right, and how sensible. We’ll treat him carefully, just as a friend. And then we’ll be able to find out his situation.’
    What did it matter, Julia thought, grinding her teeth. Fanny was incorrigible, and nothing she could say would change her. Then she admitted, deep down, that the answer would interest her too. Not, she hastened to tell herself, that it could make any possible difference to her situation. Without a portion, she would never be able to marry anyone half as attractive as Sir Carey, and she had better make her mind up to it.
    * * * *
    ‘I’ve found out about the Princess Bagration,’ Fanny announced a few days later when she returned from a shopping expedition. ‘Her husband was killed at Borodino, but she’s had dozens of lovers, including Metternich. They call her the naked angel because she cuts her bodices indecently low. She and the Duchess of Sagan both have apartments in the Palais Palm, and apparently she is no better, and what’s more,’ she added breathlessly, ‘Metternich fell in love with her, and is distraught because she has taken a new lover.’
    Julia laughed. ‘What a coil! Do you think any real talking is happening? So far there have been endless balls, and now they have agreed to have a recess until November. The Congress hasn’t started properly. It seems it will go on for months.’
    Fanny sighed. ‘I’ve decided we have to have a small party. We’ve met several people now, enough to fill the salons. There’s the Pryces, they’re renting an apartment in this building, and our nearest English neighbours. Then Lord Pendle and his sister, and the Webbers. They are dreadful gossips, of course, but they are friendly with Frederick’s grandmother, and I suppose some people find them amusing. And Sir Carey, we must invite him too. Will you help me write invitations? I thought next Wednesday.’
    To Fanny’s relief most of the people accepted. She suggested Julia might teach the little girls simple songs they could sing for the guests.
    ‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea,’ Julia said. ‘They will be shy.’
    ‘Of course they won’t be too shy. They love to sing for our friends at home.’
    ‘Yes, but these people will all be strangers.’
    ‘Just simple English nursery rhymes. They already know several.’
    Frederick had entered the room during this conversation, and nodded to Fanny.
    ‘Of course, my dear. Julia, you are not saying you cannot manage the girls, are you?’
    ‘They will do their best, but Paula is only four.’
    ‘You must impress on them that it is important for them to make a good impression.’
    Why? Julia wanted to ask. Then she understood. Frederick had insisted that Fanny invited the Russian Countess Tania with some unpronounceable title. Frederick no doubt wished to show off his children to his latest flirt.
    * * * *
    The party was going well. The cook they had hired with the apartment had produced a magnificent buffet. Julia had been helping, pressed into service when the cook had protested at the work involved, saying darkly that her mistress never entertained on such a lavish scale. By judicious flattery Julia had worked out a