As I took my bath I realized I knew the reason for the drill. They needed to know if anyone was missing without alarming the passengers. I dressed, went down to breakfast and heard plenty of expressions of annoyance that the morning was being interrupted by another ridiculous drill.

“It’s not as if we’re on the Titanic,” one woman was saying.

It was obvious that not many people had heard about the incident last night and I wondered if those who did know had been asked to remain silent about it. I managed to eat a hearty breakfast then went up to my lifeboat station on the top deck. My mother, Cy Goldman and Stella Brightwell joined me.

“What a stupid waste of time,” my mother said. “How many lifeboat drills does one need?”

“I think they’re up to something.” Cy peered over the side. “I think they want us out of the way on the promenade deck.”

“Up to what?” Stella demanded.

“Well, why did they ask if we had thrown anything out of our cabin window or whether anything was missing?” Cy asked.

“That was certainly strange,” Stella agreed. “I couldn’t see what they were getting at. I said I may have tossed out a cigarette butt from time to time.”

I said nothing. At our lifeboat station they took a roll call and kept us waiting for quite a while. It was only when mutiny was threatened that they let us depart again. I was just returning to my cabin when I saw the officer from last night approaching.

“Lady Georgiana. The captain would like a word, if you don’t mind.”

I was escorted back up the stairs to the officers’ quarters at the stern of the sundeck. I was shown into a pleasant sunny cabin paneled in dark wood. A definitely masculine room. The captain rose to his feet as I came in. Another officer was standing behind his desk and I reacted as I saw Darcy was standing over by the window.

“Ah, there you are, Lady Georgiana,” the captain said. “Good of you to come. May I introduce First Officer Higgins and I believe you are acquainted with Mr. O’Mara.”

“Yes,” I said, managing not to smile. “Mr. O’Mara and I are acquainted.”

“Please take a seat.” He motioned to a leather sofa. “You might have guessed what was behind that muster on the lifeboat deck just now.”

“Presumably you wanted to see if anyone was missing.”

“Quite right.”

“And what was the result?” I asked.

“All present and correct, apparently.”

“Then I must apologize for raising a false alarm,” I said. “I did hesitate before I called for help. I was never quite sure whether what I saw in the water was a person or not.”