Trumpeters heralded our procession down the aisle of the castle chapel. The organ thundered. A choir sang from the gallery and the congregation was resplendent with crowns and dashing uniforms. Nicholas and Matty made a handsome couple. There was only one small thing—she wore a thick collar of pearls, so I never did have a chance to see her neck up close. So I suppose I’ll never really know, one hundred percent, whether Vlad really was a vampire or not. But I’ll tell you one thing—I was really glad for once to be going home.

Queenie echoed those sentiments as we stood on the deck of the Channel steamer as it docked in Dover. “I ain’t half glad to see the coast of good old England again, ain’t you, me lady?”

“Yes, I am, actually, Queenie.”

Belinda had got wind of a house party at a villa in the south of France and was headed to Nice. She was going to try the car-breaking-down-outside-the-gates trick again and begged me to come with her. “Think of it: sun, good food, gorgeous men,” she had said. It was tempting, but I had turned her down because I wasn’t the party-crashing type; also I sensed that Queenie had had enough of being abroad, and I felt it was my duty to get her home safely. Besides, I too longed for the familiarity of life in London, even if it would include Binky and Fig at close quarters. At least I knew where I was with them. At least they didn’t grow fangs in the middle of the night. And Darcy had promised he’d be back in London shortly, after a little matter he had to look into in Belgrade.

I glanced at Queenie’s vacant moon face. I was actually coming home with a nice amount of money in my pocket, thanks to those roulette winnings. I could afford to pay a maid for a while, especially now that Binky and Fig would be buying the food. I took a deep breath, feeling that I might well regret what I was about to say.

“Queenie,” I said, “I’m willing to keep you on as my maid, if you are prepared to learn how a lady’s maid behaves properly.”

“You are, miss?” She looked thrilled. “I did all right then, did I?”

“No, you were an utter disaster from start to finish, but you were brave and you didn’t complain, and I’ve somehow grown fond of you. I can offer you fifty pounds a year, all found. I know it’s not much, but . . .”

“I’ll take it, miss,” she said. “Me, going to be a toff’s lady’s maid. Just wait till I tell her down the Three Bells, what gives herself airs just because she went on that day trip to France and brought back a frilly garter.”