I gave an embarrassed grin. “I think it was more likely that her family couldn’t stand her any longer. She tends to be a little disaster-prone.”

Absolutely on cue there came a great primeval roar of rage from upstairs. I couldn’t imagine what creature had uttered it. A bull elephant in full charge, maybe, but other than that . . .

Oona and I sprinted upward, one flight, then two. We found Dooley, still in his striped dressing gown, standing at the doorway to his attic room.

“Nooooo!” he yelled.

“Dooley, what on earth is it?” Oona asked, going to put an arm around his shoulder.

“Some bloody fool was here, or let the dogs in,” he lamented.

I peered past him and could see that a good part of the battle of Waterloo now lay in complete disarray, soldiers strewn willy-nilly over the floor.

My heart sank. I knew only one person who was able to create chaos in such a short space of time. Before I could answer, the next door opened and a bleary-eyed Queenie came out, wearing a voluminous nightgown, her hair standing up in spikes. “Sorry about that,” she said, pointing at the room. “I had to go to the lav and when I came back I wasn’t sure which door was mine. I knew right away when my foot kicked something, but then I couldn’t find the bloody door again. Don’t worry. I’ll pick them all up for you as soon as I’m dressed.”

“You can’t pick them up for me,” Dooley said, his voice heavy with despair. “You won’t know which regiment they belong to and exactly where the regiments should be. Look, you’ve got Frenchmen here among the Black Watch.”

“We’ll all help,” I said. “You direct and we’ll put the soldiers where you want them. We’ll have it back as right as rain, I promise.”

Dooley managed the ghost of a smile. “You’re a good, kind girl, Georgiana,” he said. “And I’m sorry. I’m afraid I flew off the handle. I realize it must have been easy for this young lady to mistake one door for another in the darkness.”

“Queenie, go back to your room and don’t come out until you are properly dressed,” I said, wanting to give the impression of a mistress who is in control of her servants. “And make sure this never happens again.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll put a chair or something across my door so that nobody can make the same mistake again,” Dooley said. He had already squatted down and was busily picking up lead soldiers.

“Leave that until you’re dressed and have got a good breakfast inside you,” Oona said. “Then we’ll do as Georgiana says and all help you. It will go quickly. You’ll see.”