attention and win his approbation, and in Paris there were women like that too.’
‘But you were different. You were not charmed by his name or his fortune, you demanded something more from him, some proof of his worth as a man. His interest, it was aroused. There are men like this. Once their interest is caught they will pursue a woman with passion and dedication, they will do anything to win her, they will make friends with her friends, they will make friends with her family, they will offer them help—ah! You start!’
‘He helped my sister,’ said Elizabeth. ‘And he made friends with my aunt and uncle, even though at first he had dismissed them as being beneath his notice.’
‘So will a determined man proceed. He will stop at nothing to win the object of his interest. But once he has her, then what will you?’ he asked with a shrug. ‘It is the chase that matters. They are hunters, these men, predators. To claim a woman, it challenges them, and to succeed in their quest, it brings them to life. But once they have gained their object, once they have caught their prey, then their interest, it wanes, until it is no more.’
Elizabeth took her hand out of the fountain and rested it on the warm stone of the rim.
‘And is that what you think has happened to Darcy?’
‘I can think of no other reason for him to neglect you.’
‘He says there is a reason, but that he cannot tell me what it is.’
‘Ah,’ said the Prince.
That one word spoke volumes.
‘You think that, if he had a reason, he would tell me,’ she said.
‘I think nothing.’
‘Perhaps not. But I do.’
He looked at her with compassion.
‘You are very young,’ he said. ‘You are a novice in these matters. He has wounded an innocent and that was very wrong of him.’
‘He didn’t mean to hurt me.’
‘No?’ He sounded disbelieving, but then said, ‘Perhaps it is as you say. But you have been hurt all the same and if you stay with him, you will be hurt again and again. Will you listen to some advice?’
‘Perhaps,’ she said cautiously.
‘Then I advise you to go away from here, right away. You are not alone; you have friends and a family who care about you. Go to them. Go back to England. Tell Darcy you have made a mistake. If he knows you are truly unhappy with him, he will let you go. You will live again and love again—’
‘No!’
‘Ah,’ he said delicately. ‘Well, perhaps not. But per-haps—who knows? You are very young and time, it is a great healer. But whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: there is nothing for you here, only unhappiness, rejection. and loss.’
‘I know,’ she admitted.
It was the same conclusion she had come to herself no more than an hour before, and with the Prince’s advice leading in the same direction, she had nothing to lift her out of her low thoughts.
‘It is difficult, I know, but it is for the best,’ he said. ‘Once the break is made, you can start to live again.’
She thought how pleasant it would be to sit by the fountain forever. The thought of moving even a step, let alone going into the villa and giving the orders for packing, as well as dealing with the hundred and one arrangements that would be attendant on her return to England, was wearisome. But she knew it must be done. Making an effort, she stood up. She shook her hand, sending droplets of water sparkling through the air, and as she moved her hand to and fro her wedding ring caught the light. It had been a symbol of all her hopes and dreams, but now it seemed to mock her, and yet she could not bring herself to take it off.
The sound of footsteps crunching on gravel aroused her from her reverie and looking up she saw that Annie was hurrying towards her.
‘Ma’am—’ Annie began breathlessly.
‘What is it?’ asked Elizabeth.
‘Yes, why do you disturb your mistress?’ asked the Prince, standing also and resting a hand protectively on Elizabeth’s shoulder. ‘Is it a matter of urgency?’
Annie looked awkward and she said, ‘No, not really.’
‘Then do not disturb your mistress now,’ said the Prince.
Annie hesitated then bobbed a curtsey and turned back to the villa, but then she turned again to Elizabeth and said, ‘I just came to tell you that I’ve finished hemming the new handkerchiefs as you asked, Ma’am, and I’ve put