“Yes, that would be Algie. He also set the curtains on fire when I was at a hunt ball with him once. He’s being sent out to America to make a man of him.”

“Lucky America,” Darcy said. “He’ll probably bring about another Wall Street crash.” He stopped talking and gazed at me, smiling. “It is so good to be here with you, if only for a few moments. What are you going to be doing in America? I had no idea. I thought you were still at Kingsdowne when last I heard.”

“I’m traveling with my mother. This is strictly hush-hush, but she’s trying to get a divorce and now it appears she’s going to be making a film with Cy Goldman and Stella Brightwell.”

“Is she, by George? So she sees herself as a film star now. What happened to the German?”

“He wants to marry her, and I don’t know how he’ll feel about his future wife on the sliver screen. But I don’t think she could resist the chance to be famous and adored again. Mummy does love being adored.”

“Don’t we all.” He took my face in his hands, drew me toward him and kissed me. Then somehow we fell back together onto my bed and it was more than kissing. It was almost as if I was in a dream, a small voice somewhere in the background whispering that I should stop now before it was too late and yet knowing I didn’t want to.

Suddenly a great shaft of light fell onto us and a big black shadow stepped into the room.

“I came to see whether you wanted undressing, miss,” said Queenie in a peeved voice, “but I can see you’re already undressed.”

Chapter 9

AT SEA ON THE BERENGARIA

MORNING OF SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1934

When the steward came into my cabin the next morning he acted as if nothing was amiss. I don’t mean about Darcy and me. Darcy had left reluctantly but in haste after Queenie’s arrival, warning her not to say a word about his presence on board or I would sack her on the spot. I had fallen asleep with a smile on my face, knowing that he was close by, on the ship with me.

“Good morning, my lady,” the steward said. “Another beautiful day. We are having a most fortunate crossing this time.”

Most fortunate? Not for some unlucky person, I thought and wondered if anyone had been reported missing by now. I was just finishing my tea and biscuits when Queenie appeared, looking bleary-eyed.