I glanced across at him, thinking how handsome he was and how unbelievable that he’d chosen someone like me. I suppose I still couldn’t quite believe it. I knew I should trust him. I reminded myself firmly that he had asked me to marry him, out of all the women in his life. But his manner of living had been so different from mine. I knew bed hopping was a favorite sport of my class, but I didn’t want to share him. I didn’t want to worry when he didn’t come home. That was no way to live.

We turned off the road and bumped up the driveway to Mountjoy.

“Good God—you know, it is rather a monstrosity.” Zou Zou gave a delighted chuckle. “You’re living in a house of horrors, Georgie. Great-Aunt Oona is not a witch in her spare time, is she, Darcy?”

“Who knows? I wouldn’t be at all surprised.” Darcy opened the car door for her, then led her up to the house. As I followed him into the hallway we were greeted by the pack of dogs, jumping up, tails wagging. Oona appeared from the kitchen, wearing an apron.

“I wondered when we’d see you again,” she said. “I hope you haven’t come to dinner tonight, Darcy, because we’ve just curried the remains of the duck and there is only enough for three.” She broke off as Zou Zou stepped into the light. “Hello, what’s this? Another one? Who are you?” she demanded.

Darcy took Zou Zou’s arm. “Aunt Oona, this is another friend from London. Her Highness Princess Zamanska. Zou Zou, may I present my great-aunt Oona.”

Zou Zou came forward, avoiding dogs and holding out her hand. “How do you do? I popped over from London as soon as I heard to see if I could be of any help to Darcy’s father. Forgive the intrusion, but I simply had to meet you.”

Oona looked startled, not sure how to respond to this.

“Another friend from London? Are you planning a harem, Darcy?” she demanded.

“This one really is a friend from London, I assure you,” Darcy said. “Old chums. We were just on our way back to Dublin. She’s staying at the Shelbourne.”

“Where else?” Oona said. “Well, I suppose you had better come through and have a glass of sherry. If I’d known you were coming I’d have had Treadwell bake some cheese straws. He’s become a dab hand at baking.”

“Aunt Oona, I really think we should be getting along. I have to drive into Dublin and back tonight,” Darcy said.

“Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy, Darcy,” Zou Zou said. “I remember many times when you went home at three in the morning and thought nothing of it. And I think a glass of sherry is exactly what is needed. Buck us all up.”