And for the next few minutes neither of us spoke at all.

A FINE OBITUARY appeared in the Times two days later, listing all the accomplishments of Major Beauchamp-Chough and saying what a splendid chap he was. And I had to agree. He was a splendid chap in most ways. It’s funny but I don’t think I’ve ever met a truly evil murderer. Just desperate people backed into a corner so thoroughly that killing is the only way out.

At least we could now concentrate on the final preparations for the wedding. There were dress fittings and Queen Mary’s tea for the young ladies in the wedding party—at which I didn’t spill or drop anything, or even knock over a vase. I wondered if I might be growing out of my clumsiness. Could it be the added self-assurance of knowing that I was loved by Darcy? That I had a future to look forward to?

Belinda returned to London and I went to greet her, making sure she had enough supplies and didn’t have to go out shopping for a while. She still looked frail, not the flamboyant girl I so admired.

“You’re a peach, Georgie,” she said as I made her tea and crumpets. “Where will you go after the wedding?”

“I don’t know. I might stay on with Binky and Fig in the London house at least until Christmas.”

“You could always come here,” she said. “I don’t plan to hire another live-in maid. At least not until we’ve heard from your mother and I can start to plan for the future. So I could clear out the spare bedroom for you. Make it nice and cozy.”

“Wouldn’t I cramp your style?”

“I don’t plan to have that kind of style, at least not for the moment. And I’d welcome the company.”

“What about Queenie? I can’t just abandon her.”

“We could set up a camp bed in the attic. If she doesn’t mind climbing a stepladder.”

“Can you see Queenie climbing a ladder?” I asked and we both laughed.

“I’ll make sure I’m nearby, whatever happens,” I said, taking her hands in mine. “It will all work out. You’ll see.”

“Thank you, Georgie. You’re such a good friend,” she said. “I hope you live happily ever after and have oodles of children.”

“I hope so too,” I said.