“I don’t know what I’d do if we couldn’t live here,” Irene said. “I’d have to take a job, but what am I qualified for? Nothing. You brought me up to be a lady, Mama. I have no skills, no prospects and no hope.”

“Don’t worry, Mummy,” Katherine said. “Nick and I will be brilliant and go to university and earn scads of money.”

“Who’s going to pay for us to go to university, Kat?” Nick asked.

“We’ll be so brilliant we’ll both get scholarships,” Katherine said.

“Not from what Mr. Carter tells me,” Edwina says. “He commented that you were both hopelessly behind for your age. Unlike your sister, who is a most diligent student.”

“Such a pity for her. A life blighted before it’s begun,” Irene said. “I know that doctor in Switzerland could help her.”

All in all, it was a gloomy luncheon. Jack and I went up to visit Sissy afterward, and she laughed and laughed when Jack recounted the story of the hunt to her. They were getting along so well, I thought. And she’s not really a child anymore. Maybe, who knows what the future will bring? I glanced across at Jack. It wouldn’t be sensible for him to marry someone who couldn’t ever have children.

* * *

THE SUBDUED MOOD still hung over us as we gathered for dinner that night. We worked our way, in near silence, through a leek and potato soup, filets of plaice and roast pheasant. We had just started on the savory—anchovy toast—at the end of the meal when Cedric tapped on his wineglass.

“I have a couple of announcements to make,” he said. “In the morning, I will be meeting with the architect who is coming to design my theater. I’m hoping that work will begin almost immediately so that we can plan an autumn season for this year.”

He paused. “And my second announcement is that I’ve decided to end this farce and take matters into my own hands. I have made my own choice of heir and I shall be meeting with my solicitor to find out the procedure for adopting him.”

Edwina rose to her feet. “What did you say?” she demanded.

“You have been badgering me for years to produce an heir, Mother, so I have finally granted your wish. I have decided to adopt the person I wish to be my heir. I will not let this dukedom go to an uncouth, uncivilized member of the hoi polloi.”

“You’re really going to do it, Ceddy?” Adrian asked, his face alight with excitement. “We thought it was just a joke. We never dreamed you’d go through with it. What a coup.”

“Who is this person you have decided to adopt?” Edwina asked.

“Yes, who is it, Ceddy?” The Starlings were looking at each other with excited anticipation.

“It’s Marcel,” Cedric said.

“What?” Adrian shrieked.

“And who might Marcel be?” Edwina demanded.

“His valet,” Simon said, sounding near to tears. “A nasty, common, little Frenchman. How could you, Ceddy? We thought at least it would be one of us.”