“I have a wonderful idea,” Zou Zou said brightly. “Why don’t we all pile into the Rolls and I’ll treat us to a slap-up dinner at the Shelbourne. The food at luncheon really was rather good, wouldn’t you say?” She looked directly at Lord Kilhenny. “You need cheering up.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to count me out,” he said. “I’m not allowed to leave the immediate area without permission. You go and enjoy yourselves. Mrs. McNalley has brought in some food for me. I’ll muddle through.”

“Absolutely not,” Zou Zou said. “Then we’ll all stay. The shops won’t have closed yet. We can pop into the village and rummage up something passable to eat, I’m sure. Although I doubt if we can find a decent champagne.”

“No,” Lord Kilhenny said firmly. “If you don’t mind I’d rather be alone. It’s not easy being sociable at the moment and I am completely devoid of small talk. I can manage.”

“If that’s what you really want,” Zou Zou said.

“It’s for the best at the moment,” he said, and I wondered if he was trying to be kind and didn’t want us to be associated with him.

“I’ll be back later, Father,” Darcy said. “Then we can eat together.”

“No, you have a good meal with Her Highness,” Lord Kilhenny said. “Really, I’d rather be alone.”

“I wonder if he means it,” Zou Zou said as we drove off in the Rolls, “or if he’s just being thoughtful, realizing he’s not good company at the moment.”

“I don’t ever remember my father being the thoughtful type,” Darcy said.

“Oh, I’m sure that under that gruff exterior there beats a warm and generous heart,” she said, making Darcy laugh.

“You really do see the silver lining in every situation, don’t you?” he asked.

“It’s easier than being swallowed up in the dark clouds,” she said.

“Darcy’s father was invited to Great-Aunt Oona’s last night and refused to come,” I said.

“Great-Aunt Oona. What a delicious name. I have to meet her, Darcy. Why don’t we drop off Georgie on our way to Dublin and I can stop in and say hello. Then we can broach the subject of my staying there as well.”

“I’ve been thinking about that and I really don’t think you’d be comfortable, Alexandra,” he said. I noticed he was using her formal name to emphasize the point. “You might think you can take simplicity, but this is taking something close to chaos. And I also think they’d feel embarrassed at having such a distinguished guest when they no longer have servants or the lifestyle to make you comfortable. Frankly I’d be happier if you went back to London.”