As both a working prostitute myself, and a Madame controlling the activities of other working girls, the image presented to the world by The Salon is very important to me. I am a businesswoman first and foremost, and in business the customer is King. And in our chosen profession, we have to find ways of overcoming the inhibitions some of our potential clientele may have about paying for sex – even if it is sex with beautiful, sophisticated and aristocratic ladies! That is correct. My husband was very supportive of my career, and very keen that I should continue in my profession after marriage. In fact, he gifted me the apartment in Marseille’s red-light district that I had been using to see clients that very afternoon.” Now Battaglia is concerned that the recent proposal of marriage to me from The Duke of Burgundy could reflect badly on my part in the investigation.

Extract from a recent phone conversation with M. Battaglia, Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Principality of Monaco…. The Archduke of Provence has been explaining to me exactly what a man such as he is seeking in a trophy wife. It is quite fascinating, listening to his views.I decided some time ago that persisting in my usual persona of a glamorous courtesan and high-class prostitute would emphasize to the authorities that I have nothing to hide. Whereas, a sudden metamorphosis into a traditional grieving widow might look like protesting a little too much! The Duke of Burgundy is another suspect, Lady Rebecca” Battaglia explained – with some agitation. “If he were to marry you, it could be seen as a way of ensuring that you are not in a position to testify against him.”

But the only connection the Duke has with this matter is that he arranged the assignation with me in Nice that prevented me from boarding my husband’s plane on that fatal night.” Nowadays, all that has all gone out the window. Powerful rich men – such as myself – are seeking a very different type of woman for their trophy wives. Beautiful, sophisticated, experienced – but also blatantly sexual, shamelessly lewd, and totally corrupted. Because I received a phone call from a very good friend and colleague, advising me of an urgent business appointment, which detained me in Marseille.” This time there was a very clear winner, which (somewhat unusually) turned out to be the very last outfit shown. Here is the final tally of votes cast for each outfit: You see me captured during an assignation in the garden of my Monte Carlo Palace with Mme Battaglia, Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Principality. We two have been having an affair ever since Battaglia began investigating the sudden death of my husband, Le Duc de D’Or Baleine, and the five other passengers who were travelling in my late husband’s private jet.

Group pool

Lady Rebecca, I understand that this is a very painful time for you: your husband is deceased, and as yet there is not even a body to bury. But I must ask you a few questions about events during the night that your husband’s plane exploded. The French Police are treating the whole affair as a murder investigation - perhaps even with a terrorist angle. You are a Monégasque subject, and the widow of one of our most prominent citizens. We wish to do everything possible to prevent a serious scandal.” It was Madame ‘Phlomis’ Balomis, also known as the Dowager Baroness Korngold of Alsace-Lorraine. Madame Balomis is an expatriate American who controls a string of high-class call girls all along the Côte d'Azur. Since I moved to Monte Carlo, she and I have been liaising closely on business matters: my late husband was a former client of hers. Phlomis rang to inform me that a very important gentleman was in town – the Duke of Burgundy himself – and that the Duke had particularly requested to see me in private that evening.” Monsieur Judge, you are a Frenchman and man of the world. You will be aware of the fact that I am an internationally famous courtesan and professional prostitute, with many wealthy and famous clients.” The rest of the D’Or Baleine clan fly in tomorrow, from their corporate HQ in Geneva. Le Duc’s eldest son – Le Comte De Bleuville – is now assuming the role of family patriarch. The young 'Dauphin' – my hubby’s grandson - will also be arriving. This is the rather shy lad my husband Lucille initiated into the mysteries of the boudoir when working at The Salon in his “Maid Prudence” identity. These two have not met up since my ex-husband's marriage to Sir Charles Dexter….