To the side, he saw Houghton staring at them as if at a ghost. Next to him stood Bampton, clearly in shock. ‘My captain,’ Kydd said happily to Thérèse, as they approached. Houghton seemed overcome at the introduction, gobbling something indistinct, but Thérèse, clearly delighted, bestowed on him special attention and offered her hand to be kissed. As he watched his captain grovel before a grand lady, Kydd believed the evening could promise nothing more satisfying.
Prince Edward stood in the centre of the room surrounded by aides-de-camp, courtiers and military men in gleaming regimentals. Kydd summoned every ounce of courage and led Thérèse over to him. ‘Y’r Royal Highness, may I be allowed t’ introduce Madame Thérese Bernardine-Mongenet?’ Thérèse’s graceful curtsy was long held. ‘An’ myself, L’tenant Thomas Kydd, o’ HMS Tenacious.’ He bowed as low as he could.
‘Lieutenant, tell me true, have you been in Halifax long?’ The Prince had an aristocratically hard face; Kydd had heard stories of his unbending attitude to military discipline, his early-morning parades and merciless justice.
‘Not long, Y’r Royal Highness, an’ much o’ that in the United States.’
‘Oh. I see. Well, I wish you a pleasant evening, Mr Kydd.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ Kydd mumbled, remembering to back away. He had survived, and he turned to grin at Thérèse.
A fanfare of trumpets sounded from the other room, announcing the banquet. An immediate move was made towards the connecting door, but Kydd remembered to keep clear: as a junior officer he would certainly be bringing up the rear. He stayed to one side, nodding pleasantly to those whose eyes strayed towards him and Thérèse until eventually he judged it time to enter.
The room was huge. In the distance a long table was raised on a dais, the centre occupied by the Prince and honoured guests. Behind them two servants gently fanned the principal guests with enormous ostrich feathers, tastefully coloured in red, white and blue.
Lesser mortals occupied the long tables in rows from the front and, as he had suspected, he was shown to one near the rear. To his delight he saw Renzi seated there. Next to him was a voluble woman with pasty skin and a profusion of cheap jewellery who tugged incessantly at his sleeve. Renzi looked up at Kydd, and stared, stricken, at him as if the world had been turned upside-down.
Gleefully Kydd made his introduction, indicating to Thérèse that this was his particular friend, but when he made to seat his lady, he was interrupted by a courtier. ‘Sir, His Royal Highness commands you and Madame to join him,’ he murmured, discreetly indicating the Prince, who was beckoning.
Heart thudding, Kydd turned to Renzi and muttered his excuses. He wended his way with Thérèse through the tightly packed tables, feeling all eyes upon him, hearing animated murmuring following in their wake.
They mounted the dais and approached Prince Edward, who leaned back to speak. ‘Ah, so kind of you to join us.’ His eyes did not move from Thérèse as he continued, ‘I don’t think you’ve met Hoheit Herzog Schweigerei, his wife the Herzogin Adelheid. Sir, Lieutenant Kydd and Madame Thérèse Bernardine-Mongenet.’
The evening proceeded. Over the wild duck Kydd found himself explaining sea service to the Prince; the saddle of mutton saw him recounting his American sojourn to the sharp-featured Duke. While he was helping Thérèse to another pompadour cream he looked out over the massed tables below them. Somewhere in the hazy distance Renzi, Captain Houghton and the rest were looking enviously to the dais at Prince Edward, Thérèse Bernardine-Mongenet – and Thomas Kydd.
At last the banquet drew to a close. The Prince rose, conversation stilled, and there was a sudden scraping of chairs as everyone stood up. One by one the members of the high table descended, following the Prince as he processed out affably, nodding to the bobs and curtsies as he passed. Looks of admiration and envy shot at Kydd, who smiled back lazily.
In the foyer the Prince turned to Kydd. ‘Lieutenant, you will no doubt be returning to your ship. Pray do not stand on ceremony for Madame – I will personally see she returns home safely.’ With a wry smile, Kydd bowed. ‘And, Lieutenant, I will not forget your service to me this night!’
Thérèse looked at Kydd. She crossed to him and kissed him firmly on both cheeks. ‘I will not forget this evening. Bonne chance, mon ami.’
They left. Kydd watched the Prince’s carriage depart, Thérèse’s last glance back and fond wave. The rest of the guests issued out noisily, and it seemed the whole of Halifax wanted to meet him, make his acquaintance, be seen with him. Captain Houghton appeared, staring wordlessly at Kydd and shaking his head slowly before he moved on; Adams came up and insisted on taking his hand. ‘Damme if that wasn’t the finest stroke of the age!’ he said sincerely.