Darcy came up with the best suggestion. “I have to go off again,” he said, “but the hotel suite is booked through the end of the month. I wondered if you’d like to take my place and keep Bridget and Col company.” When he saw my face light up he added, “It might be a good idea if you got to know the rest of my crazy family—just so that you know what you’re in for.”

It was the closest he had come to hinting that we had a future together. I thought it wise not to pursue it. “So you have another little assignment to carry out?”

“Something along those lines.”

“Darcy, will I ever find out who you work for?”

“Whoever’s willing to pay me, my darlin’ , ” he said in a broad Irish brogue. “And you know what your grandfather would say, don’t you? Them that asks no questions don’t get told no lies.”

He put his finger to his lips, then to mine. Then without warning he drew me into his arms and was kissing me hungrily.

“Darcy,” I protested feebly as things began to heat up, “I already have enough bruises for now.”

“Then we’ll save the next installment for when you’re fully recovered,” he said. “So hurry up and get well, or I might have to take a mistress.”

Then he dodged as I flung a cushion in his direction.

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

March 2, 1933
Back to jolly old England. Sad to leave France but actually
keen to be home.

At the beginning of March I took the Blue Train back to England. Belinda came with me. It turned out she hadn’t run off with the marquis that night, but had developed a simple headache. And, being Belinda, she had made the most of her time on the Riviera. She’d struck up a friendship with Chanel and gone to stay at her villa. She’d plucked up the courage to show Chanel her dress designs and Coco had said she had talent and had given her tips on running her own design business in London.

“She’s helped me to overcome my biggest obstacle,” Belinda confided. “How to make society women pay for the gowns. You know the trouble I had collecting money from them.”

“And the secret is?”

“I make myself look absolutely stunning and threaten to go to their husbands to collect the money.” Belinda laughed. “And if that doesn’t work, I make sure I’ve acquired a juicy tidbit or two about them that I might just let slip at the wrong moment.”

“That’s blackmail.” I laughed.

“Done very discreetly, of course. But Coco says it works every time.”