'He's wealthy and highly esteemed at Court.'

'But he's never here to enjoy that wealth or to take me to Court where I can share his esteem. It's where I belong, Daniel — among the ladies at Versailles, earning smiles and glances from the King.' 'Even I cannot compete with King Louis,' he admitted.

She hugged him. 'You outshine any man!'

'Does that mean I can come here again?'

'Yes — as often as possible.'

'What about this blind, stupid, uncaring husband of yours?' he asked. 'He cannot stay away from the house forever. Surely, he will return to his wife soon.'

'If he does, it will only be to pack his trunk.'

'Is he off on another campaign then?'

'Armand will leave next month,' she said bitterly. 'Knowing him, I doubt if he will even bring me back a present from Vienna.'

'Vienna?' Daniel's ears pricked up. 'Why is he going there?'

'Armand swears they will capture it in a matter of weeks.'

'Indeed?'

'According to him…'

Berenice talked about her husband with a candour she had never shown before. When she had first met Armand Salignac, she freely conceded, she had been impressed by his military prowess, his social position and his easy sophistication. He had been loving and attentive to her. Once married, however, he cared less about Berenice and more about his career in the French army, subordinating her to the fringes of his life while he sought glory in the field. When the campaigning season resumed in April, he would desert her without a hint of regret.

Cradling her in his arms, Daniel listened intently until a more menacing sound was heard. It was the rattle of a coach, turning off the cobbled street and rolling down the side of the house to the courtyard. The lovers sat up guiltily. Without warning, Armand Salignac had returned home.

They leapt off the bed as if it had just been set on fire.