Marion had never had a cocktail in her life. She didn’t really have any idea what they were. ‘Oh, I … That’s very kind, thank you.’

‘Very good. We’ll see you here at, say, half past six?’

Marion stood where she was for a moment too long, before realizing that she had been dismissed. She gave a smart curtsey and left.

She ran up the stairs to the nursery in an absolute panic. ‘How do I dress for cocktails?’ she gasped at Alah and Bobo. ‘I don’t have any evening wear.’

Alah, the font of all knowledge, was only too happy to tell her. ‘I assume this is with their Royal Highnesses?’

‘Yes.’ Marion was wringing her hands. ‘I don’t even know what a cocktail is.’

Alah took on the stance of the superior servant. ‘A clean skirt and blouse will do. Wash your face and brush your hair. You’ll only be with them for twenty minutes at most. And be careful of the Duke’s measures.’

‘G-g-gin and tonic?’ The Duke was at the drinks table. ‘Ice and lemon?’

‘Thank you.’ Marion was nervously perched on a chair opposite the Duchess. She had no idea what a gin and tonic tasted like. ‘Just a small measure, please.’

The Duchess laughed. ‘My husband doesn’t know the meaning of the word. You have been warned.’

Crawfie took the glass that was offered.

‘Chin-chin.’ The Duke raised his glass to both women. Marion took a tiny sip. It was perfumed and rather bitter.

‘Now, Miss Crawford,’ began the Duchess, ‘my husband and I have talked over the conversation we had with you earlier, and would like to make some suggestions as to our daughters’ lessons.’

Marion smiled. ‘Yes?’

‘And we would like to make some suggestions of subjects.’

Marion took another sip of her drink and tried not to cough.

‘We think that lessons in dancing, painting, piano and lots of outdoor play are very important.’

‘Well, I remember some Scottish Country dancing from my own schooldays,’ Marion said. ‘But it’s hard to do on your own. Might I invite the Princesses’ friends over to make up the numbers?’

The Duke and Duchess looked at each other. ‘Our daughters don’t have many friends,’ said the Duchess ‘They have us.’

‘Oh.’ Marion was a little surprised. ‘I am sure we can manage to find some friends.’

‘The thing is’ – the Duchess looked over at her husband again – ‘we think that too much time in the classroom means less time out in the fresh air and having fun.’

Marion was bemused. ‘Yes?’

The Duchess began again. ‘Margaret is still so young. She needs her morning nap and she likes stories.’

‘And I am happy to teach her to read. Lilibet tells me she knows her letters already and can write her name.’

‘The Duchess has taught her,’ the Duke said with pride. ‘But what will Lilibet do when you are reading to Margaret?’

Marion thought on her feet. ‘I suggest that the mornings are taken up with some drawing and colouring, which I am sure Margaret would enjoy, and while she is having her nap I can start Lilibet with some proper learning. Each day we would do a different subject. Writing, arithmetic, geography …’ She waited for her employers’ reaction.