“Shopping is of no interest to me. I do not have money for clothes,” Irmtraut said.

“Then you could go and feed the swans in the Serpentine,” George said. “Or take out a rowing boat.”

Irmtraut looked at him as if he was an imbecile. “In case you have not noticed, there is thick fog. I do not wish to walk through the park in thick fog. I might lose my way or bump into undesirable persons.”

“I always find it quite fun bumping into undesirable persons,” George said, with the hint of a wink to me.

Marina looked out of the window. “The fog is lifting a little. Is that your motorcar outside or do we need to summon a car?”

“No, that’s my old banger,” George said.

“A banger—is that not an exploding sausage?” Irmtraut asked and I’m afraid we all laughed.

I HURRIED UPSTAIRS to put on my coat and hat, because I realized what a great opportunity I had. Prince George’s car was actually outside the front door, and it was foggy so I wasn’t likely to be seen. I slipped out into the cold, damp air. The black shape of the Bentley loomed in front of me. I started to inspect it, walking around it carefully. I was bending to examine the front mud guard when a voice asked, “Can I help you, miss?”

I jumped up guiltily to see a chauffeur standing over me. Oh golly, I hadn’t thought Prince George would have his chauffeur with him.

“I’m Lady Georgiana, the prince’s cousin,” I said, just to establish that I wasn’t a deranged stranger. “And I was at dinner at the palace with him the other night when he told us his motorcar had been in an accident. I was on my way out and was curious as to what sort of damage the motorcar might have sustained.”

“An accident, my lady?” He looked perplexed. “The prince was driving himself that night and he certainly didn’t mention any accident to me. And I’ve polished the motor since. There’s no damage that I can see. But then these Bentleys are good solid motors, aren’t they? It was probably the other vehicle that came away with a dent or a scrape.”

“Yes, I expect so.” I smiled at him then. “I’m glad his lovely motorcar wasn’t scratched. Now I must be off to visit a friend.”