Free Lovers in London by Barbara Cartland

contrived to bring her to the party.
    It was only an attempt, he said, to pay back what he owed for a kindness in the past.
    â€œShe is very pretty,” remarked his companion. “At the same time, dear Rake, you have surely not yet taken to cradle-snatching!”
    â€œI can most definitely assure you,” responded the Marquis nonchalantly, “I am not snatching anyone at the moment!”
    â€œThen that makes me definitely even more worried about you,” she retorted, “unless of course you are growing blind in your old age!”
    The Marquis chortled.
    â€œI can still see you and that, as you well know, is a sight I have always enjoyed.”
    He noticed a little flicker in her eyes and recognised that he must be most careful not to rekindle a fire that had already burned down.
    He had learnt of old that this tactic was never a success and in fact could turn into a disaster.
    When he turned again to talk to Lanthia, she said,
    â€œI think this is a most glamorous and fascinating party and I still think I am in a dream.”
    â€œThen do not wake up, because it would definitely be a mistake!” he smiled.
    He pondered as he spoke that it was decidedly charming to see her so entranced with everything around her.
    At the same time he considered she looked exactly as if she belonged.
    Only he knew she had been pushed into the dinner party at the last moment to save him from a very dangerous situation.
    He was not at that particular time aware of what would happen later on in the evening.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Dinner was a rather long and drawn out affair.
    Looking around the room the Marquis recognised that most of the guests were older than him and, of course, very much older than Lanthia.
    Whilst they were eating an orchestra was playing quietly in the courtyard, which made everything seem very romantic.
    There was, however, obviously not going to be any dancing afterwards and when dinner was over, the guests moved about from one table to another talking to friends.
    Some ambled into the courtyard to appreciate the orchestra, while the majority remained in the dining room and naturally clustered round the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Lillie Langtry.
    The Marquis was wise enough to attempt to avoid the Prince of Wales, because they were old friends and he felt quite certain that the Prince would ask him who he was escorting. That would only complicate matters even more than they were already.
    He thought anyway it would soon be time for His Royal Highness to leave the party.
    The Marquis was talking to a friend at the other end of the room when the Prince’s Equerry came up to him.
    â€œHis Royal Highness wishes to speak with you, my Lord,” he announced, “and asks if you will bring with you the young lady you brought to the dinner party.”
    The Marquis stiffened.
    He considered it most unlikely that the Duke had said anything to the Prince about his companion and there was only one person who could have done so, deliberately intending to make trouble.
    There was nothing he could possibly do but to obey the summons.
    He whispered quietly to Lanthia, who was talking to an elderly lady,
    â€œPlease come with me.”
    She promptly excused herself to follow the Marquis and they walked over to where the Prince of Wales was holding court at the far end of the room.
    As the Marquis approached the Prince turned away from the friends he was talking to and asked him,
    â€œAre you neglecting me, Rake?”
    â€œNo, indeed not, sir,” he replied. “But I felt you were very busy and I did not wish to interrupt you.”
    â€œI am always delighted to be interrupted by you, Rake!” said the Prince.
    As he was talking to the Marquis he was looking directly at Lanthia.
    She had curtsied when the Marquis had bowed to the Prince and was now standing a little way behind him.
    He turned round to bring her forward.
    â€œPlease may I present, sir, Miss Lanthia Grenville.”
    The