My hopes of traveling to France with them sank a little lower the following morning. I came downstairs to hear Binky on the telephone, apparently to a travel agency.

“It costs how much?” I heard his voice rise an octave. “For one berth? Yes, I realize that the Blue Train is special, and that it cuts out the inconvenience of changing trains in Paris. And yes, I realize that it’s called the Millionaires’ Train, but we’re not all millionaires, y’know. And no, I would not consider taking another train, impudent pup.” He put back the mouthpiece and came toward me up the stairs. “I had no idea it cost that much. But in her current condition I can’t expect her to change trains and take a taxicab across Paris, can I?” He looked at me with despair on his face. “Dash it all, Georgie. I wish things weren’t so bally complicated. Father and Grandfather never had to count every penny. I feel like such a hopeless failure.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said.

Binky nodded. “But I can’t help feeling that if I were a more enterprising sort of chap, I could make a go of things. I could grow some kind of cash crop.”

“Nothing grows in the Scottish Highlands. You know that. And you’ve already sold off the best bits of land. Perhaps I’d better marry a millionaire and help us both.”

Binky put his hand on my shoulder. “You’re a good old stick, Georgie, but don’t ever marry out of duty. It’s an awfully long life to spend with someone you don’t particularly like.” He glanced up the stairs. “I was lucky, of course,” he added loudly. “I was introduced to Fig and—well . . .”

I hadn’t realized that he was a good liar.

Binky sighed. “I suppose I’d better go and have a talk with the bank manager. Fig’s set her heart on going, so I can’t disappoint her. I really wish we could include you somehow.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “Something will turn up.”

“I’ll do my best for you, Georgie,” he said. “Ah, well, better face the music, I suppose.”

And he put on his coat and stomped out into the rain. I went off to my duties at Victoria Station. There seemed to be a particularly large and jolly crowd traveling to the Continent that day. I watched them, not daring to hope that I might be following them.

I came home at four o’clock to find Binky and Fig taking tea in the morning room again, Fig with her feet up on a stool and a rug draped over her knees.

“It’s all settled, Georgiana,” she said. “We leave tomorrow. Mummy and Daddy were kind enough to wire us the money for our tickets. They are very worried about my health, you know. I’m normally such a robust person.”