Brakes squealed, pulling her eyes open in time to see the door of the automobile push out, revealing a uniform in naval blue behind the steering wheel. “Get in. And hurry up, will you? I’ve been driving in circles for ten minutes already, and the admiral needs his car this morning.”

Grinning, Lily hopped in and closed the door behind her, leaning over to press a kiss to her father’s cheek. “Sorry. Mama saw me on my way out.”

Daddy’s smile was fleeting. “I didn’t think she would give you any trouble if she thought you were going to the hospital.”

“Not trouble—just the usual warnings to be home on time.” She wasn’t even going to mention the propaganda, as she had no desire to bring it up. “Is there an assignment waiting already, or will Admiral Hall want to speak with me?”

“I believe he left you written instructions, including the time by which he needs the results. We’ll be cutting it close for him to get to an appointment on time.”

She didn’t have to ask why her father hadn’t left the admiral his car and fetched her in his own. It wouldn’t do to risk Mama glancing out the window and spotting him picking Lily up. Usually it was easy to make excuses for riding together, but not on a day when Daddy had already been at the office for hours before he summoned her. Though he could have just let her make the twenty-minute trip on foot or the tube.

“Well.” She shot him a smile. “As long as I can get it finished before the dinner party this evening. Mama was rather insistent that I not be late again.”

Her father chuckled and turned at the corner. “I’m certain you’ll find our guests riveting tonight, Lily White. Who knows but that one of them will sweep you off your feet and steal you away from us.”

He always said that. Twice a week. Each and every time they entertained more of the young men he brought home. Most of them were navy men, of course, because what captain didn’t want his daughter to marry a fine, upstanding officer? But occasionally he invited veterans from the army, home to recuperate from trench fever, or an academic who’d been refused service for one reason or another, poor chap.

She had no desire to ask who it would be tonight. If she showed the slightest curiosity, he would spend the entire drive listing the virtues of Lieutenant This and Professor That. And while she knew her friends considered her lucky to have a parade of young men around in these days when so few were in London, she just wanted to get through the war. Be done with the secrets.