“I really don’t think I could face another night in this place,” Miss Deer-Harte said. “Did you hear the wind moaning last night? At least I suppose it had to be the wind. It sounded like a soul in torment. And then someone was creeping down the hallway in the wee hours. I couldn’t sleep and I was sure I heard footsteps, so I opened my door a crack and what do you think I saw? A dark figure creeping down the hall.”

“It was only one of the servants, Deer-Harte. I’ve told you that already,” Lady Middlesex said abruptly.

“Servants don’t creep. This man was creeping—slinking as if he didn’t want to be seen. Up to no good, I’m sure, if he wasn’t a ghost or some other kind of creature.”

“Really, Deer-Harte, your imagination,” Lady Middlesex said. “It will get you into trouble one day.”

“I know what I saw, Lady M. Of course in a castle this size I suppose all kinds of nighttime trysts and assignations occur. One hears about foreign appetites for bedroom activities.”

“Don’t be so disgusting, Deer-Harte. Ah, there’s Her Highness now.” She bobbed a curtsy as Matty came in. “So kind of you to allow us to stay on, Your Highness. Much appreciated.” And she bobbed a jerky curtsy.

“We didn’t have much choice as it happens,” Matty said frankly. “There’s nowhere else within miles. We’re completely snowed in. But there’s plenty of room and you are welcome to stay. I must say the snow has put a damper on the festivities. The parents and entourage were expected to arrive today, but it doesn’t look as if they’ll be able to get here for a while now. Not until the local people have managed to dig out the pass.”

“Oh, dear. I do hope the wedding ceremonies can take place on time,” Miss Deer-Harte said.

“The actual ceremony is not until next week, so let’s hope all is back to normal by then.”

“Presumably you’ll have various royal representatives arriving,” Miss Deer-Harte said.

“This will be a relatively small occasion, mostly relatives,” Matty said. “After all, we are related to most of the royal houses of Europe. Horribly inbred, I’m afraid. No wonder we’re all so batty.” She laughed again and I got the impression that she was playing a part, forcing herself to be gay. “The big formal celebration will take place in Bulgaria when we return from our honeymoon. That’s when there will be heads of state and an official blessing in the cathedral and I’m presented to the people as their own dear princess—all that sort of boring stuff.”