“The Royal Hotel is probably the only choice for someone like you,” he said. “Just down the hill from the station. Right in the center of town. Can I give you a lift? I have the boss’s car.”

“Oh, that’s kind of you but I brought Belinda’s car for her,” I said and got a daggers look from Belinda.

“Well, you’re all set up, then.” He gave Belinda a friendly nod. “I’m really glad they got this sorted out so quickly for you.”

I thought she might have said that her good pal Georgie helped get it sorted out, but she didn’t. Jago gave a cheery wave and then sauntered off again. As soon as he was out of earshot she spun toward me. “He offered me a lift,” she said, “and you had to say that I had my own car. What kind of friend are you?”

“Belinda, my darling,” I said, “I had no idea that you were interested in him.”

Of course I had realized, but I hadn’t picked up that the offer of a ride was more than simple transportation. I was still clueless when it came to interactions and subtle hints between men and women. In fact it was a miracle that I had managed to snag one of my own. Actually quite a good one.

She sighed. “I suppose you’re right. It’s silly, isn’t it? I mean, he’s a little rough around the edges, absolutely NOCD. That has never worked, apart from Lady Chatterley, has it?”

(And in case you don’t know, “NOCD” is upper-class shorthand meaning “not our class, dear.”)

“I’ve never actually read Lady Chatterley,” I said.

“You haven’t, darling? No wonder you are so naïve. I’ll have to find you a copy. But anyway, Jago is regrettably quite unsuitable. Unless I’d like to settle at White Sails and learn how to gut fish.”

I couldn’t tell her that Jago really worked in the same kind of hush-hush activity as Darcy. But I did say, “He has a good job now, traveling the world, managing properties. . . .”

“For a shady millionaire. Not exactly stable. He’ll probably be the scapegoat when the shady man is arrested and he’ll wind up in an Argentinean jail.”

“Anyway, as you’ve said, he’s not suitable marriage material. Now let me escort you to your own motorcar and we’ll find this Royal Hotel.”