“There are plenty around the world who do not like Britain and wish us ill,” he said, “but don’t worry. I’m not going into any real danger. I’ll be back before you know it. Don’t think about me while I’m gone. Just enjoy yourself.”

“How can I enjoy myself if you’re not here?” I said, resting my head against him. “I’ll miss you every minute.”

He turned toward me then and gave me a little kiss on the forehead. “I’ll miss you too, but we have to get on with life, don’t we? You must learn to keep yourself busy. Do some entertaining.”

“Entertaining?” I sounded more horrified than I intended to. “Dinner parties and things? Without you?”

“It’s about time we got to know our neighbors,” he said, “and you know they are all dying to take a peek at Eynsleigh and meet the lady of the house, who is reputed to be related to the royal family.”

“Oh golly,” I said. I had resolved to give up such childish exclamations when I married but they still slipped out in moments of extreme stress. “Darcy, you know very well I have no experience at entertaining. I grew up in a remote Scottish castle. We hardly ever entertained. No—make that never entertained, especially after Fig became Duchess of Rannoch. Who’d want more than one day of her company?” (Fig, for those of you who haven’t met her, is my sister-in-law. The less said the better.)

“Then this will be good experience.” Darcy looked up from folding a white shirt to give me an encouraging grin. “Nothing fancy. I’m not suggesting you have a costume ball or anything. Maybe a couple of ladies to tea or luncheon. Queenie can manage a luncheon, can’t she?”

I nodded. “Maybe,” I said dubiously.

He saw my look and went on. “It’s always useful to be on good terms with neighbors. We’ll become part of the local scene. And you never know when we might need them.”

“I suppose so,” I muttered while visions of sitting surrounded by formidable ladies at tea parties and my knocking over a cup or dropping a cream cake into somebody’s lap swam through my head. I do tend to get a trifle clumsy when I’m nervous.

Darcy put a hand on my shoulder. “You are the mistress of Eynsleigh now, you know. You have to learn how to assume the role. And it will keep you busy so that you don’t miss me too much.”

“I’ll miss you whatever I do,” I said. “Do you think you’ll be away long?”

“I can’t really say.” He gave a little frown. “Not too long, I hope.”