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man, smugly, as he cast another flirtatious glance over towards Lorraine, who felt herself blush, as she had done before, – I am not to be put off with a cook! I came here in the fond expectation of finding all manner of shocking orgies! he boomed. Lord Harcourt, sitting nearby, spluttered on his wine and shook his head testily
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    – Darling Marcus! You are so scandalous! Lady Huntingdon smiled benignly
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    – My dear lady, said Lord Harcourt, – you are as bad as that despicable young blade himself, giving his puerile and amoral blabberings such indulgence!
    – The lamentable influence of Lord Byron and his cohorts upon society! Denby said, with a slightly contemptuous smile
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    – Yes, that damn poet fellow has set up such a dust! Harcourt exclaimed
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    – But the point I seek to make, continued the young man, – is how can I seek to encounter old Boney at the end of the month without the sustenance of more vigorous recreation?
    – The sort of recreation you seem to be suggesting shall not be forthcoming under my roof, Marcus! Denby growled
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    – Marcus, do be a darling and dampen that fiery ardour for a moment while we eat, as your talk is verging on the scandalous! Entertain us with your army tales, Lady Huntingdon sweetly implored her bullish young guest
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    – As you wish, my good lady, the young man smiled, soothed and seduced by the soft tones and calming classical beauty of his hostess. And that was exactly what he did for the remainder of the evening: enthralling the table with tales of great wit and humour concerning his military service
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    – Who was that man? Lorraine was moved to ask Lady Huntingdon, after the guests had taken their departure
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    That was Marcus Cox. A perfect darling, and one of London’s most eligible bachelors, but an unspeakable cad. There are many bloods in this town who are not what they seem, my angel, and you must tread warily with them. But no doubt my friends your dear mama and darling Amanda will have already told you that. Alas, many bloods will do and say almost anything to capture a maiden’s virtue. When a man, even one of Marcus Cox’s breeding, faces posting at the front, a certain recklessness enters his tone and bearing. For the sad truth is that many do not return, a fact of which they are only too well aware
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    – You are so wise in the ways of the world … Lorraine said
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    – And it is therefore my duty to impart to you some of the wisdom I have had the good fortune to have acquired, my darling Lorraine. But now, there is work to be done. We must, with reluctance, undertake that most pressing and arduous of tasks and finally decide what you and I are to wear to tomorrow evening’s ball
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    The following night, Lorraine was prepared for the ball, supervised by Lady Huntington. Lorraine could tell the operation had been a success before she studied herself in the mirror. In the eyes of her hostess she saw such a look of glowing approval that, indeed, a mirror was superfluous. She looked heavenly and striking in a red dress made from imported Indian silk. – How wonderful you look, my darling, how simply divine! Lady Huntingdon cooed
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    Lorraine went over to the mirror and studied her reflection, – It cannot be I, surely not!
    – Oh but it is, my darling, it most surely is. How like your darling mama you are …
    At the ball, one handsome officer after another danced with Lorraine, all keen to make her acquaintance. The waltz was the most wonderful dance, and Lorraine was intoxicated by the music and the movement
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    Lady Huntington and Lord Denby took her aside after one dance with a particularly tall officer. – My darling Lorraine, we are so proud of you! How I wish your dear mama was with us to witness this, the mistress of the house said appreciatively in her ear
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    Lorraine thought with fondness and love of her beloved parents back up in the Scottish border manse, and the sacrifices they had made so that this dream might be realised
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    – Yes, my pretty