“I doubt it,” I said.

“No, of course not. Dashed stupid idea as usual.”

“So where will you go?” I really was feeling sorry for him now. How would someone so hopeless survive in the cutthroat world of America?

“Not sure, actually. Where they have ranches, I suppose. Where is that? Texas? Kansas? I really have no idea. And frankly I’m not sure any ranch would want me. I do ride rather well, so that might be in my favor.” He sighed. “Oh well, if nothing works out, I’ll come and visit you in Hollywood.”

Oh golly. I couldn’t very well say, “Not if you were the last man on earth,” could I?

The dance ended and the slow fox-trot turned into a fast-paced jive.

“Oh jolly good. The jive. My favorite American dance. I’ve been practicing,” he said.

“Oh, no, I don’t think . . .” I started to say when my partner started flinging me around the floor. I became a lethal weapon, hurtling toward other couples like a bowling ball toward ninepins.

“Algie, stop. Do stop,” I tried to shout over the blast of trumpets.

“You’re doing fine, old bean,” he yelled back. “Isn’t this fun?”

Since I had just knocked an elderly couple off the floor I could hardly agree, but Algie had turned into a wild thing and kept grabbing me and hurling me before I could collect myself. When someone equally uncoordinated careened into Algie’s back he did let go of me and I went flying across the floor, out of control. The doors out onto the deck were open and I hurtled toward them, past surprised faces and out into the night.

“Whoa, Georgie, what are you doing?” Darcy appeared from the darkness of the deck and grabbed me before I could bounce off the ship’s rail.

“I’m so glad it’s you,” I said, feeling his arms around me. “That idiot Algie Broxley-Foggett was dancing the jive with me. He’s quite lethal.”

“Then let’s hightail it away before he comes looking for you.” Darcy put an arm around me and shepherded me toward the prow of the ship. Suddenly we were alone in the darkness. Strains of music floated out across the water.

“This is nice.” I beamed up at him.

The music turned into a slow waltz. “Would you care to dance?” Darcy said and took me in his arms.

We waltzed together in the darkness and although I usually had to think of the steps when I danced, suddenly my feet weren’t touching the ground. I was conscious of the warmth of his body against the thin silk of my outfit and his arms holding me so close that I could feel his heart beating. I nestled my head against his chest, enjoying the feeling of safety and contentment. I was sad when the music ended.