"I've been trying to convince Mr. Bingham to sell me the piece for the past three months and have barely had a civil word from him."

"Are you a collector?" Mr. Berry asked.

"My late husband was, but he also made many donations to the British Museum. I've continued this practice, though I admit it's not always easy for me to part with what I've acquired. But in this case, I want the phiale for the museum. It's too significant to be left languishing in a private home. I had hoped I could persuade Mr. Bingham to donate it himself, but he will not be convinced."

"Aren't you clever!" Lady Elinor said, then turned to Mr. Berry. "Lady Ashton is quite a scholar."

"Surely you've put aside all thoughts of studying during the Season?" he asked.

"Studying Greek, Mr. Berry, is what will get me through the Season." He made a dissatisfied-sounding grunt, and Lady Elinor smiled, confident that branding me a scholar would be enough to keep the gentleman from growing too interested in me. I hoped she was correct.

"You speak almost like an Englishman, Monsieur Berry," Cécile said. "I expected to find you more French."

"I spent much of my youth in the United States. We did not speak French, even at home. My father sent me to Oxford for university, and I've lived in England ever since. He was a very private man, never wanted the public to know his true identity. I respected this position while he was alive, but now that he is dead, I believe it is time to reclaim my heritage." He stepped close to Cécile and continued in a low voice. "I am moved more than you can imagine by the sight of your earrings. I understand that they belonged to my twice arrière-grand-mère."

"They did, monsieur, and I thought it appropriate to wear them when I met the pretender to the Bourbon throne. Marie Antoinette had them on when she was arrested during the revolution."