“Actually I traveled on the Berengaria with a friend of yours, sir,” I said. Of course I was referring to Mrs. Simpson. We had been tablemates at the captain’s table.

The prince cleared his throat and his mother said quickly, “I am hoping we can count on Georgiana to help us, David.” She leaned closer to me. “Tell me, have you been to Kensington Palace?”

“I’ve walked past it when I’ve crossed the park, that’s all, ma’am,” I said.

“You may not know that it’s divided into several apartments,” the queen went on. “Queen Victoria’s two remaining daughters live there—your dear grandmother’s sisters. As well as two other royal ladies, your father’s cousins.”

Oh Lord. My heart sank. She had suggested once before that I might be a lady-in-waiting to an elderly female relative. I pictured holding the knitting wool and reading to her on long dark evenings. Still, at least it was in London.

“Mother, you can’t send Georgie to the Aunt Heap,” David said. “She’d die of boredom.” He glanced across at me and gave me one of his charming smiles. The thought flashed through my mind how very nice he was, and I wondered why he would ever be attracted to a sharp and brittle woman like Mrs. Simpson.

“The Aunt Heap?” I met his eyes and saw the twinkle in them.

“You are always so flippant, David. It is about time you took life seriously and knuckled down to your responsibilities,” the queen said. “Your brother Bertie has done his duty and produced two lovely little girls. Now your brother George is doing his duty and getting married to a charming princess. I told you there were still plenty to choose from.”

“Don’t let’s start that again, Mother,” David said. “I’m delighted my brother is doing his duty and I agree Marina is quite charming. Quite a looker, actually.”

“Well? I’m sure we can come up with ‘quite a looker’ for you, if you’d only give us a chance. You have a delightful young second cousin here, for a start.”

I blushed. David looked across at me and laughed. “That really would be cradle snatching and this family needs no more inbreeding, Mother.” He paused. “Besides, she’s taller than me. That would never do for a future king, would it?” He started to move away. “I must be off and leave you to your scheming. I’m going down to the Fort for a few days. Not sure when I’ll be back, so don’t count on me for dinner on Sunday.”

“David, you are so infuriating sometimes. The dinner is to welcome Marina when she arrives. You should be there.”