I let out a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind her. I hurried down to join the others. Dinner was again outstanding. I hoped that I could find a cook like this one. Queenie’s food was—well—satisfactory and filling. This was a gourmet treat. Oysters followed by a creamy cauliflower soup, then roast pheasant surrounded by tiny slivers of roast potato and creamed spinach, and finally floating islands followed by squares of grilled cheese. Each course was accompanied by plenty of wine. Feeling replete and content we went through for coffee. Again Tony joined us immediately and poured us a generous snifter of brandy each. “Come on, drink up,” he said. I heard the belligerence in his voice and wondered if he’d knocked back a bit too much at dinner.

Belinda steered the conversation to White Sails, chatting about the possible renovations to the cottage and the reputation of the builder and what Jago was doing at Trengilly.

“That blighter,” Tony said. “Don’t tell me he’s commandeered Harris for Trengilly. The money certainly flows freely there, doesn’t it? And who knows how it’s acquired?” He gave a knowing grin. “I think that Panopolis fellow has got fingers in a lot of suspicious pies. Shipping business? Argentina? I wouldn’t be surprised if it isn’t weapons. Probably selling them to the Nazis in Germany.”

“Oh, surely not, Tony. You do jump to conclusions,” Rose said. “I heard he was in banking.”

“What would you know about banking?” Tony gave her a patronizing smile.

Belinda cleared her throat and mentioned that we were planning to go home in the morning.

“Since the builder will not be able to give his attention to White Sails for a while, I thought there is no point in waiting around here.”

Rose reached out and touched Tony’s hand. “Oh, but we love having you, don’t we, Tony?”

“Absolutely,” Tony said. “Livens up the place no end.” He gave Belinda a quick glance.

“But Georgie needs to get home. She needs to be there when her husband returns from his trip,” Belinda said. “She’s newly married. Pining for him.”

“Lucky chap,” Tony said.

There was silence, then he said, “I know, why don’t we play cards? There are four of us. Whist? Bridge?”

“I’m hopeless at cards as you very well know,” Rose said.

“Well then, this is a good opportunity to improve your skills when you are among friends.” Tony gave her a long look. “Come on, Rose. Don’t be a wet blanket.”

And so we played. As it turned out Rose wasn’t nearly as poor a player as she described. Rather astute at times. She and I were partners and we won quite handily. Tony grudgingly handed over some money. “You see,” he said. “You can do these things if you put your mind to it.”