“You’re perfectly right, as always,” I said. “I always get good advice from you. I’m so glad I came. I’ll pack a small bag and take the Irish Mail train in the morning.” Then I broke off as a thought occurred to me. “Oh crikey. Queenie. What am I going to do with her? I can’t take her with me to Ireland. Things will be complicated enough without having her with me. And I can’t leave her at Rannoch House. Fig would go mad and turn her out and besides, they are off to the Continent in a week. Do you think her family would take her back for a short while?”

“For a very short while,” he said. “They weren’t half glad to get rid of her last time after she set fire to their kitchen. But I’ll have a word with her great-aunt next door. I’ll explain things and I’m sure she’ll take her in. Just don’t make it too long, will you?”

“I’ve no idea how long I’ll be away. We’ll just have to see, won’t we? But it will be one less thing to worry about if Queenie is safe and sound back here.”

“Don’t give it another thought, love. You send her in this direction and we’ll make sure she’s all right.”

I came around the table and kissed the top of his bald head. “You really are my favorite person in the whole world, apart from Darcy,” I said. “When I’m married one day and I am mistress of a castle or stately home I’ll bring you to live at the lodge and we can visit each other every day.”

“Now, wouldn’t that be nice,” he said, giving me a wistful smile. “Let’s just hope it all turns out all right.”

Chapter 10

DECEMBER 1 AND THEN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2

I make a big decision. I do hope it’s the right one. I just wish I knew.

I arrived back to find Fig and Binky dressed and drinking sherry before dinner. Fig glared at me in annoyance. “Where have you been, Georgiana? You didn’t let anyone know you were going out, and we’re ready to go in to dinner at any moment.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I went to see my grandfather and the train back took longer than I anticipated.”

“You went to see your grandfather?” She sounded exactly like Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest when she uttered those famous words “A handbag?”

“Do I need to have your permission before I go to visit my relatives?” I said, the tension of the day making it harder for me to control my annoyance.

“No, of course not, but you are a guest in this house and it is only common courtesy that you let your hosts know when you might be late for a meal.”