I followed the edge of the lake, admiring the easy way the swans drifted across the black water, until I came to a little stream that entered, bubbling over rocks. I heard the sound of rushing water and followed the stream down from the lake until I came to a series of pretty cascades in a rocky glen. It reminded me of my native Scotland until I realized that this whole landscape must be an artificial creation as such glens are not normally part of the Kentish scenery.

Above the cascades I spotted a round, white temple, half hidden amid dark yew trees. Some former duke with an eye for the dramatic had obviously been at work here. I was finding my way out of the cascade glen when I heard the distant sound of a clock chiming noon. I remembered what the dowager duchess had said about changing for lunch and realized I had better get back.

As I crossed the lawn I heard voices behind me—young voices. Before I could turn around, one of them called out, “You there!”

I stopped and turned to look back. Two children, a boy and a girl, were running together up the slope toward the house, followed by a worried, youngish man in a tweed jacket who was striding out to keep pace with them. They were around ten or eleven, both with pale blonde hair and rather surly faces.

“Yes, you.” It was the boy addressing me. “I left my history book on the bench under the big oak tree. Go and fetch it for me.”

The worried-looking man had caught up with them. “Really, Nicholas, you can go back and get it yourself,” he said. “You can’t expect people to fetch and carry for you.”

“Of course I can. What else is she doing right now?” the boy demanded. “And I’d be late for luncheon if I went to fetch it myself, and you know that makes Grandmama cross.”

Initially I had been too stunned to react. Now I didn’t know whether to be annoyed or amused. “Do you always order around your grandmother’s guests?” I said.

“I say—you’re not a guest, are you?” His expression faltered. “We thought you were her new companion. She was talking about finding a new companion when she went up to town and we saw you arrive with her, so naturally we assumed . . .”

“Never assume,” I said. “I’m actually Lady Georgiana Rannoch, and your grandmama invited me to stay.”

“You’ve really put your foot in it this time, Nick,” the girl said, nudging him and looking pleased at his red face.

“Sorry,” the boy said easily. “But my father is a Russian count, you know. He had to flee for his life during the revolution. And my grandfather was a duke, so I have to get used to ordering people around.”

“My grandmother was a princess,” I said, “and my great-grandmother was Queen Victoria, so I think I win on that count. And my cousins the king and queen are always most polite in the way they address their staff.”