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in the hotel foyer saying, “By golly, I wish I had Edwina du Barry’s wonderful life.”’
    â€˜Really?’
    â€˜Yes, really. So come on, let’s freshen you up. Then I’ll introduce you to a charming titled gentleman who’s been dying to meet you. He’s in the swim with the royal family.’
    It was in the Winter Garden that Daniel met the love of his life. Michael was standing with his back to the christening party and admiring the view from the panoramic glass windows. He didn’t turn around, but simply smiled at his host’s reflection as Daniel appeared beside him.
    â€˜Daniel, you haven’t met me; I’m not one of your listed guests. My sister was short of a date. The tosser she’s been seeing stood her up.’
    He turned around and extended a firm hand. ‘I should introduce myself – I’m Michael James.’
    â€˜Are you Lord James, the chap who recently took his seat in Parliament?’
    â€˜Yes. My old man died last year and it’s his legacy. It’s a filthy job but someone has to do it. Rather like inheriting an entire hotel empire perhaps?’
    They grinned at each other with an ease that neither fully understood. Daniel was perplexed. I feel like I’ve known him all my life. Perhaps it’s not a cliché after all?
    He picked up a bottle of champagne and two glasses. ‘Michael, let me show you the view from the highest point of the Hotel duBarry. It’s sensational. Do you feel like a brief respite from this shindig?’
    â€˜Bloody good idea. Those champagne corks are going off like gun shots.’
    â€˜Let’s go then. It’s out this way.’
    Up on the rooftop there was a comfortable silence and neither Michael nor Daniel felt a need to fill it with small talk. What do two war heroes talk about once peace has been declared and the dust has settled? They sure as hell aren’t going to discuss the price of armaments. And chances are they’re going to get half-cut before making any attempt at serious conversation.
    For Daniel, it was a huge relief to be able to talk to a fellow officer who’d also experienced the horror of war. In return Michael could tell his story to a man who understood the ramifications of what it meant to have hunted and killed in cold blood. Even before Michael took his leave, both of them knew they’d formed a bond for life.
    Meantime downstairs in Toucan Court, Caterina Anastasia Grande Imperial Champagne flowed and many brains were tickled. Sean Kelly taught Mary Maguire how to dance the tango. Soon all the staff were half-cut and slithering across the polished marble tiles in time with the sexy Afro-Latin American rhythms oozing from Tommy Zingernagel’s Orchestra.
    Sean knew if he was going to rise above the rent boys of Soho, as had Matthew Lamb, and become a successful gigolo, it was essential to know all the latest dances. Fortunately Sean had natural rhythm and style as well as a circle of debutantes who lived to shimmy. And he was now armed, dangerous and eager for the opportunity to moveinto the upper echelons of society. For Sean Kelly was one of the few men in London who’d bothered to find out exactly what women most desired in a man. Thus when the opportunity presented itself to make off with other gentlemen’s wives and daughters, Sean Kelly would be well equipped. So to speak.
    That Sunday afternoon when Tommy Zingernagel’s saxophonist let loose with a heart-wrenching riff, Sean promptly forgot about his career aspirations. With Mary Maguire in his arms and her sweet breath soft against his neck, Sean was in heaven. He was stunned that dancing with Mary in a public place, could damn near bring him to his knees. Sean shuddered. Jaysus. Get a grip, young man, or you’ll find yourself out shopping for saucepans and a wedding ring.
    Often as Sean joylessly caressed a scrawny socialite he’d pretend it was Mary moaning