Billy Brogan, who spent many a night consoling his crying sisters, knew exactly what to do. He leaped forward and wrapped her in his arms.

‘There, there, Miss Nettleton. It can’t be that bad. Miss Edgerton’s just a—’

‘Oh, it isn’t just her,’ Nancy said, her face pressed up against Billy’s shoulder. ‘It’s . . . everything. It’s me. I . . . I don’t belong, do I, Billy? I thought I could. I thought it would be easy. I been through worse and I thought I could come down here and slide straight in, like nothing was too much for me. But there are different rules. Things I didn’t understand . . . It was me in the ballroom the other night. Miss Edgerton saw me and started shrieking and the only thing that saved my job was when Mr de Guise stepped up to stop her so I could slip away. But she knows, Billy. And she’s making me pay for it.’

Now that Nancy had vented her words, she seemed steadier. Billy was reluctant to let go of her, but he eased her off his shoulder and stepped back. She was very pretty, he decided. Her eyes were red and her hair was out of place but she was the most beautiful thing Billy thought he had ever seen.

‘The thing to learn about Miss Edgerton is she isn’t here of her own accord. When Lord Edgerton married her American mother, he brought them both over from New York. Only, he didn’t want Miss Edgerton in his home. Might be he wanted her mother all to himself. No distractions, see. So Miss Edgerton, she’s a permanent guest here at the Buckingham. At first she thought it was a jolly. You’d see her in the ballroom every night, in a new gown she’d bought with that ridiculous allowance of hers. She’d have the concierges hail taxis for her to take her out shopping. She’d sashay through every bar in the hotel and every restaurant in London town. But she is so often alone. The Buckingham might be elegant and grand, but to Vivienne Edgerton it’s a cage. And caged animals, well. I sneaked into the zoo up on Regent’s Park once. Animals, they don’t like to be caged.’

For a moment, there was silence. Billy dared to hope that his story had helped her, if only a little.

‘I have to get back, don’t I?’ Nancy whispered. ‘Before I’m missed.’

Billy grinned. ‘Go back out there like nothing ever happened.’

Nancy nodded. ‘I will. And, Billy . . . thank you.’