“Not usually.” I smiled. “I’m sorry you didn’t like the meal. It’s a favorite of mine but not served often in fashionable circles. More like nursery food.”

“They think I am only worth serving nursery food.” Irmtraut sniffed. “I had this frog for dinner and then I sat alone and read until Marina returned. A very boring evening. I trust your dinner at the palace was more lively.”

“Very pleasant, thank you. And the family has clearly taken to Princess Marina.”

“This is good,” she said. “I hope she will be happy with the English prince. He has not the good reputation, so I have heard.”

“He might have been a bit of a playboy,” I said cautiously. “But I’m sure he will settle down now and take his responsibilities seriously.”

“A playboy? At what does he play?” she asked. “Does this mean like an actor in a play?”

I smiled. “No, it means he likes to have a good time.”

“Ah. This is what we heard,” she said. “I do not wish Marina to be disappointed in her choice.”

“The king has just made Prince George the Duke of Kent,” I said. “That means that Marina will become Duchess of Kent upon her marriage.”

“A duchess is of higher rank than a princess?” She echoed Marina’s question.

“A royal duchess, yes. The title comes with property and income. Kings’ sons, other than the heir, are often made royal dukes in England.”

“Ah, so this is good. I am pleased.” I think it was the first time I had seen her smile.

I waited for Marina to appear and ask to be taken to fashionable shops, plays and even nightclubs. All outside of my sphere of experience. I sighed. If only Darcy were here, he’d know about such things. He had certainly lived enough of the playboy lifestyle. I wondered where he was and why he could never even drop me a postcard. Was this what married life would be like, with my husband away in unknown parts of the world and my never knowing when he would return home? And whatever he was doing, of course he couldn’t tell me. Annoying man!

Then suddenly I had a brain wave. I did know someone who moved in fashionable circles and knew about boutiques and nightclubs. What’s more, she had my blue evening gown hanging in her wardrobe, thanks to Queenie. I’d go to collect the dress this minute and see if I could persuade Belinda to help me escort Marina around fashionable London.