‘It’s another grand ball at the Palais de Versailles, and as the guests crowd to the windows to watch the fireworks, Arno takes my hand, and with a playful half-smile, leads me towards the private chambers in the back. The doors have only just locked behind us before we are all over each other, kissing passionately, desperate and hungry for each other. He undoes his breeches and I gather up my skirts, and amidst all the finery we fuck, the roar of the fireworks drowning out our moans.’