Sitting in her seat in the first class section of the aeroplane beside Wilkes, Nanny wanted to keep pinching herself to see if it was really true. "I've never sat in this section before," she confided to Wilkes, marvelling at the roominess of the seats and the lovely coverings. What made it even nicer was that experiencing this was helping her to suppress her worry about Eloise.

For some reason, getting that telegram last night had brought to the forefront of her thoughts all the loneliness and emptiness that tended to occupy her when she allowed them free rein. She truly had thought she was relatively happy with her lot, but once more she had become aware of all that she lacked. She may have a fulfilling job with a child she adored... but she needed more. She needed someone to love her and hold her in the night, and someone she could love and hold onto as well. Surely it was much, much, much too late for that, though! She was sixty-nine years old, for Lord's sake! It seemed absolutely foolish to wish for more than she had... but Wilkes' presence at her side now made her aware more than ever of her usual loneliness. Was she so eager for his company at the moment simply because she was lonely? Somehow she doubted it. There had been several occasions, including last evening, when he had looked at her with an awareness in his eyes that had never been there before.

Wilkes was surprised by her admission about never having been in first class, and showed it. "Doesn't Kay...?"

Nanny pulled her thoughts back to the conversation. "Aoww, for sure, sure, sure, Kay flies first class all the time. If I am going with them, Kay and Eloise 'ave first class seats and I am in the, er, economy section, I suppose it might be called... but truth to tell, Eloise, poor pet, prefers to come and sit with me, and usually there are more than enough empty seats that we can find two together."

Wilkes again felt a touch of anger towards Kay, wondering why she had never felt the need to bolster Nanny's self-confidence and self-esteem. For the rest of the flight, they conversed, they ate, they tried to rest but truthfully it was not possible for either one despite their lack of sleep the previous night. Nanny was still very worried about Eloise, not having had another message from Kay and still not able to be in touch. In an effort to make conversation and yet still talk about the child she loved, Nanny told Wilkes some of the stories of Eloise as a newborn, as a toddler learning to walk and talk, and Wilkes learned much about Nanny's personality in her words. He saw beneath her loquaciousness and forced cheeriness to the loneliness and fear of abandonment deep inside. All Nanny had ever wanted was a home of her own, a home where she was someone special... and she had never had that.

"I know I let Eloise get away with too, too, too much, but I want 'er to experience Life with a capital L. I don't want 'er to end up like Kay, nice though Kay can be when she thinks about it. I want Eloise to think of others as much as she thinks of 'erself. And I especially do not want 'er to end up like me, with nothing and no one to call my very own! Wilkes, sometimes I... well, I suppose I could say I feel that, in spite of 'aving been alive for close to seventy years, I 'aven't even lived yet!"

Wilkes heard many things from what Nanny said. He heard frustration and regret as well as curiosity and a hunger for experiences that she feared she would never have. Nanny had spent years denying herself the luxury of feelings. All he wanted to do now was to give her time to find what she had been missing... he wanted to give her the life she had dreamed of and the love she so richly deserved. Unable to think of the words that would express his thoughts to her, he could say nothing. Instead, he drew her into his embrace and held her closely, his hand running down from her shoulder to her botto and back up again... over and over, asking nothing and promising only comfort.

The stewardess had assumed they were a married couple and had spoken to Wilkes of his wife and to Nanny of her husband, and neither Wilkes nor Nanny had bothered to correct her. Now she brought them a blanket and draped it over the two of them, and Nanny fell asleep in Wilkes' arms for the second night in a row. It was only a matter of about two hours, however, before the stewardess came around with another meal, awakening both of them.

Then the aeroplane landed, and they could make their way to the hotel where Kay was to meet Nanny. It was late morning by the time they were actually walking in the door, and Nanny was checking around to see if perchance she could see Kay or Eloise in the lobby waiting for her. Wilkes directed Nanny's attention to the front desk, and she moved that way, clutching her purse and her toiletries case while Wilkes carried his suitcase and Nanny's.

When Nanny gave Kay's name, the desk clerk nodded, checking something off her list, then Nanny asked if Kay was in and could be notified. The woman shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, she has not arrived, however we were told that when a woman 'with a cockney accent' inquired for her, we were to give her a message. I assume that is you, so the message is, just let me find it here... ah! Yes, the message is from Kay: 'I'm glad you have come, Nanny, but after receiving an invitation for a preview of a new line of fashion dresses, I think we might fly to Spain from France, instead of straight to England. I'll be in touch again and we'll meet you at the hotel later. In the meantime, please feel free to use the hotel room, enjoy your holiday and do some sightseeing or something fun...'"

'Oliday? This was no 'oliday! She had been ordered here, and now was abandoned because something better had come up for Kay? And Kay thought it was an 'oliday for Nanny? She had been worried sick about Eloise, had dragged Wilkes back to England from New York City earlier than he had planned to come... and Kay hadn't even bothered to meet her to say why it was so urgent that she come? Furious and hurt, Nanny tried to suppress her emotions, accepted the written message and she smiled weakly at Wilkes in apology.

Wilkes' lips tightened and his hand clenched around his umbrella, but he said nothing. The clerk, seeing they were not very happy, told them they were welcome to leave their suitcases at the front desk while they went out to do a spot of sightseeing, because check-in time was not until 4:00 p.m., and they might as well register then. Deciding it was much the best thing, and thinking he could always get his own room later, Wilkes hurriedly ushered Nanny out the door before he said something unnecessary, unkind, and unworthy of a knight of the realm.

When they were outside, Nanny turned to Wilkes, gripping her purse tightly. "Oh, Sir Wilkes, I cannot apologize enough..."

"Tosh, tosh, tosh, this is not your fault, Nanny!" Wilkes said heartily, trying to cheer her up. "And please leave off the 'Sir'! After the last few weeks, I should think you would be comfortable just calling me Wilkes!"

"Well, I 'ave remembered sometimes, Wilkes!" Nanny said stoutly, smiling at him slowly, her face brightening as the smile blossomed.

"Much better, Nanny," he said approvingly, his eyes indicating his delight in her present expression.

They ate a quick lunch at a nearby pub, then, rather than do much sightseeing, they boarded a double-decker bus and sat on the top, looking at shops and people and parks as they passed but mainly just enjoying each other's company. Wilkes listened to the bit of Nanny's frustration with Kay that she was willing to share, and heard a great deal more about Nanny's love for Eloise. The child was precocious, Nanny conceded, but she had reason to be, since Kay seemed to be ignoring her for much of the time. It was plain for Wilkes to see that Nanny adored Eloise and thought of her as a beloved grand-daughter, having had almost exclusive care of the child since her birth.

When Wilkes mentioned that it was a very nice restaurant connected with the hotel they were staying at, and that he hoped Nanny had packed the lovely dress she had worn for dinner two nights before, Nanny flushed and admitted that, no, she hadn't brought any 'dressy' outfits, not having thought she'd need them.

"That will never do!" Wilkes said. "Not, of course, that you don't always look lovely, but..." He eyed her usual 'uniform' of navy skirt and white blouse showing beneath her coat, then said, "I say, there's the dress shop my sister-in-law swears by!" and he jumped up, grabbing Nanny's hand and pulling her with him down the stairs of the bus.

Ignoring Nanny's feeble protests, they got off the bus and walked back to the dress shop. "I plan to take you for a fancy dinner tonight, Nanny, and it would never do to appear in a simple white blouse and navy skirt!" Wilkes insisted.

When they walked into the shop, Nanny drew closer to Wilkes and murmured, "This is much too elegant for the likes of me, Wilkes... much, much, much too elegant!" It was also, she privately thought, much too expensive. How could she possibly afford even a blouse from such a place? It was the type of store where no clothing hung in the window or on racks...

The saleswoman came up at that point, smiling widely. Wilkes explained to her that their luggage had been mislaid and that a dress was required for a special dinner that very night. Nanny again attempted to protest in an undertone, but found herself hurried off to the dressing room and told to strip while the saleswoman measured her to see what could be found in her size.

The woman tsked at the sight of Nanny's worn pink corset, saying that even if she did have someone to help her tighten the strings at the back, they were quite loose. "We have some new elastic corsets that hook in front, and some have half cups which eliminate the need for a brassiere. I'll bring you one to try, shall I? I'll bring a dress or two as well. I'll be back in a moment."

Without waiting for a reply, the saleswoman hurried out. Nanny hurriedly pawed through her purse to see how much she would be able to afford, and could only hope that Kay would arrive that evening, because even a new corset at this place would doubtless deplete her meagre money supply. Still, she could always say the new corset didn't feel right, and so wouldn't have to buy it... and she could choose the cheapest acceptable dress... or perhaps even say nothing here suited and then she could go to a less expensive place to buy a scarf to dress up her plain skirt and blouse!

When the saleswoman came out of the dressing room, Wilkes jumped up from the chair in which he had been seated with a cup of tea. "Er, might I ask a favour?"

"Of course, sir!" The woman looked at him brightly.

"My, er... my... Nanny, she," He flushed, not sure how to describe Nanny, then plunged onward. "she will doubtless object to, er, spending money. Here's my card..." He drew out the card he had readied, "and if you could tell her that whatever she appears to like is on sale and slash the price drastically... say by 75 to 90 percent... I will be sure to reimburse you for the rest... I'll sign a note... just don't let her know. And please... nothing navy or black?"

The saleswoman smiled at him after glancing at the card. "How sweet you are, Sir Wilkes," she said. "I'll be happy to do as you ask. I have in mind a lovely lilac outfit, which, coincidentally, IS on sale, since the woman who originally ordered it decided it was not what she wanted after all. I can easily discount it even more for you."

Wilkes beamed. "Thank you!"

Hurriedly fetching the corset she had promised Nanny and collecting the lilac outfit she had mentioned to Wilkes as well as a vibrant red dress, the saleswoman headed back to the dressing room. Wilkes caught her eye, and she raised both dresses for his approval. Wilkes smiled and nodded.

Nanny stared in dismay at the two outfits the woman had brought. "Aoww, I 'ad... had thought of navy..."

Reflecting that Sir Wilkes knew his wife well, the saleswoman said gently, "It is summer, and these are colours are all the rage this season. Here, try this corset... well, it's really called a bustier with the built-in half-brassiere. I think you'll find it much easier to put on that the one you are wearing. You just bring it from the back around to fasten with these hooks down the front..." and she showed Nanny how to do it.

Nanny put on the lace-covered beige bustier, then removed the redundant brassiere. She stared at herself in the mirror when she had finished with the hooks. It was indeed much easier to put on... and she looked so... shapely! She turned and looked at her profile in the mirror, and smiled almost sadly. If only she could afford this and a new dress!

"Now," the saleswoman continued briskly, "try on this lilac outfit. It's my favourite. It had been commissioned by a lady who then changed her mind, so we are trying to, well, 'get rid of it' is not exactly the phrase, but we would like to recoup our losses."

Nanny slipped the slimming sleeveless dress over her head and the woman showed her the hidden zipper up the left side. The dress had a white background patterned with delicate sprays of lilacs ranging from pale to deep purple and the rawther low neckline showed off Nanny's considerable cleavage in the push-up bustier. Nanny grimaced at the expanse of freckled skin and tried to tug the dress up a bit.

"No, no, dear, you look lovely just as it is!" the saleswoman remonstrated, smoothing the dress back in place. "If you feel too exposed, which you really shouldn't since you have a gorgeous curvaceous figure, try on the matching jacket."

Rawther startled at the saleswoman's flattering words about her figure, but discounting them instantly, Nanny put on the jacket. The three-quarter-length-sleeved jacket was made of a fine linen the same deep lilac colour as some of the blossoms on the dress and had a button to hold the edges together a couple of inches below Nanny's throat. Most of the cleavage which rawther embarrassed Nanny was now covered. Nanny viewed herself in the mirror and loved it. My sainted Aunt Fanny, she thought wistfully, I do, do, do wish I could afford this! I expect Wilkes would like it, too!

"Would you like to try this dress on now, dear?" the saleswoman interrupted Nanny's reverie and held up the red dress.

"Naow, I..." Seeing the red dress was made of silk, Nanny knew at a glance that it would be far out of her spending range. "Naow, I don't think so." She turned one more time to view her image in the lilac outfit, then sighed with resignation and unbuttoned the jacket.

Sensing that she was going to lose the sale and having seen how much the woman loved the outfit... and having Sir Wilkes' assurance that he would make up any difference in price if she could talk his wife into a new outfit, the saleswoman quickly said, "You'll be getting a bargain with this dress, my lady. As I said, we no longer have a buyer for it." She named a price that was so ridiculously low that Nanny gasped and stared at her incredulously.

"Aoww, knickers, you must be joking!" Nanny finally managed to say.

"Not at all!" the woman said stoutly. "And... and we'll throw in the bustier if you will agree to take the lilac outfit off our hands. It really does look lovely on you, dear... your husband will be enthralled and will fall in love with you all over again!"

"My...? Aoww, yes..." Nanny flushed and turned away, biting her thumb as she thought furiously. It was a ridiculously low price, yes... but still rawther above her range. If Kay did not arrive, Nanny would not be eating tomorrow if she bought this dress now. Still... she eyed herself in the mirror once more, and thought of Wilkes seeing her in it... and promptly agreed to take it.

"You'll wish to leave that bustier on, I should think," the saleswoman said quickly, helping Nanny remove the lilac outfit and draping it over her arm. "I'll just go ring this up, dear, and I'll put your old corset in another bag, shall I?"

"Thank you," Nanny said faintly.

The woman hurried out and announced her success in selling some items to Wilkes, who promptly arranged for payment for everything over the price the woman had told Nanny. When Nanny appeared again, once more dressed in her neat white blouse and navy skirt, Wilkes was just finishing up his tea. He stood and smiled. "You found something, did you?"

"Yes, thank you, Wilkes..." Nanny smiled back at him gratefully. She went over to pay the saleswoman and was handed the bag holding her purchase and her old corset.

"Thank you so much, and do remember us when you wish to add to your wardrobe, my lady... especially if your luggage doesn't arrive!" the saleswoman gushed.

"We will, indeed!" Wilkes said. "Thank you once more!" He assisted Nanny into her coat, she set her hat back on her head, pulled on her gloves, and they were ready to brave any 'dragons' that may cross their path.

O o O o O o

At four o'clock they found themselves back at the hotel, this time finding a different desk clerk at the front desk. When Nanny again gave Kay's name, he looked up the reservation, then said that, due to unforeseen circumstances in the form of a soccer tournament, hotels had already been booked solid by the time Kay had made the reservation and regrettably it had not been possible to reserve a suite as requested, but that indeed a room had been reserved in Kay's name.

"Do you mean to tell me that it will not be possible for me to book a room here tonight?" Wilkes asked.

"Not tomorrow night or the next either, I'm afraid," the clerk said apologetically.

Nanny turned to Wilkes in despair, saying, "Aoww, Sir Wilkes, what shall we do...?"

The man behind the counter stared at Wilkes in surprise, then looked back at Nanny and said, "Are you Nanny?"

"Yes, I..."

"Ah. Well, it seems a Miss Eloise talked with someone after Miss Thompson had arranged for the payment of the room, and she had said..." The clerk rummaged through some papers on the desk, then found one and held it up saying, "and I quote: 'If she brings Sir Wilkes with her, Nanny can always look after him in her room if you only have one room.' I'm afraid this message gave us all the impression that this, er, Sir Wilkes was a young boy about Eloise's own age, coming with his nanny... so you both were put in the same room since, as I've already said, all the suites were gone as were all the other rooms."

Horrified, Nanny wanted to argue, but when the manager was summoned and he phoned around to other hotels in the city at Wilkes' urging, it was true: there were no more rooms in any hotel in the city of London. Because it was now too late for him to make the journey to his family's estate, Wilkes drew Nanny aside and said, "Nanny, I am not sure what to do here. Er, I am wondering if... but I don't want to put you out..."

"Aoww, Wilkes, there will be two beds in the room, for Lord's sake! It IS only for one night, and then you'll be leaving in the morning, so I say we just share the room as the hotel has already planned!" She couldn't imagine what he would do if she hadn't offered, but if anyone ever found out, his reputation would be destroyed! Still, what could she do but offer, just in case he was amenable to, well, to sharing with someone from her station in life?

"You are sure, Nanny?" Wilkes asked, hardly able to believe his good fortune. He had had visions of sleeping on a park bench! By George, he would make it up to her as soon as he could, being that she was putting her reputation on the line for him as she was by her actions!

"Sure, sure, sure!" Nanny said firmly.

"Thank you!" He gripped her hands and beamed at her, then they returned to the desk and signed in.

The busboy collected their luggage and they turned to follow him, only to hear the clerk call after them, "And, of course, now that we see you are a couple, it won't matter in the slightest that there is only the one bed... you won't need the cot that was originally ordered!"

Nanny stopped dead and a bemused Wilkes walked into her, then the busboy urged them to hurry because he was already on the elevator, so Nanny began to move again, rawther woodenly, Wilkes at her heels. On the way up to their room, she mustered enough courage to mutter in a low voice, "Aoww, Sir Wilkes, I'm so, so, so sorry! It's Eloise!"

"I, er, beg your pardon?"

"Eloise did this, for Lord's sake! It must be her doing entirely!" Nanny was mortified to think that Wilkes was being to be forced into the humiliating position of having to share a room with the likes of herself!

"I hardly think she planned the soccer match and filled up every hotel singlehandedly, Nanny, although she is very, you know, remarkable." Wilkes said, and for the first time he felt a surge of love for the absent Eloise. Had it not been for her intervention, this golden opportunity to woo Nanny with no Eloise or Kay might never have happened!

"I 'ave other words for her, and you may be certain she'll be 'earing them, for sure, sure, sure!" Nanny said, rawther grimly.

Once in their room, seeing the one bed dominating the space but also noting space under the window, Wilkes tipped the busboy who thanked him enthusiastically saying, "I do hope you and your wife have a smashing time here in London!"

Nanny gasped and Wilkes looked just a little startled before asking diffidently if they could possibly have the cot in their room after all. "I, er, am a rather restless sleeper, you know... would hate to, you know, keep my, er... my wife from... having a good rest to... well, to recover from the flight over from New York..." It doubtless would make Nanny much more comfortable if she knew they did not have to share a bed... and it wouldn't hurt his comfort level either, to be truthful!

"Certainly, sir, I'll bring one up for you immediately." the young man replied cheerfully, not looking fazed at all by the request. Nanny was looking faint herself, though, at the mere thought of being considered the wife of a knight for the third situation in less than twenty-four hours! The busboy departed, whistling, promising to return in just over an hour with the cot and telling the two to have a 'wonderful, romantic dinner in the restaurant downstairs!'

Nanny put her purse down and said determinedly, "You are NOT sleeping on the cot, Wilkes! That is quite, quite, quite impossible, for Lord's sake! You are a knight!"

Wilkes didn't bother to argue right then, but inwardly he resolved to be prepared and IN the cot by the time Nanny was ready for bed. Somehow he doubted that she would be amenable to sharing the bed with him... not yet, anyway. Nor was he, to be perfectly honest. The thought, however, that someday in the not-too-distant future they could be sharing a bed, a marriage bed, aroused him immensely. Wilkes drew on the last reserves of his self-control. 'Behave yourself!' he admonished himself. 'Just because you are so attracted to her that you could explode at any moment does not mean the feeling is mutual!' Although Nanny might be more at ease with a cot AND the one bed in the room, his frustrated body certainly was not! Still, this night was a gift, and he had no intentions of frightening Nanny off permanently by forcing his attentions upon her. There would be plenty of time if and after they were married for 'close encounters of the intimate kind', he hoped fervently.

Nanny offered to bathe and dress first, but Wilkes said he didn't expect to take quite as long, needing only to bathe and shave before dressing. "My hair doesn't take as much care, nor my makeup," he chuckled. "So if it is acceptable, I will go first, then you may take as much time as you like. We have all the time in the world. Just, er, just don't fall asleep in the tub. I have been known to do that on occasion after flying all night!"

Laughing, Nanny agreed. "It is easy to do when one is tired, for sure, sure, sure. Very well."

True to his word, Wilkes was not long. When he came out, dressed in his tuxedo, Nanny's heart almost turned over. He looked so bloody handsome and distinguished! How could she ever have thought that she could capture and keep the interest of such a man? Yes, when she was the only woman near, he might be persuaded to dally with her, but a man of his station in life could have any woman he wanted! Then Nanny's determination reared up. She was the woman here in this room with him, and she would do her best not to disgrace him, for Lord's sake!

After bathing, Nanny dressed carefully in her new dress, loving the feel and look of it. She worked to get her hair pinned up in an elegant style and painstakingly applied some makeup. There. She was ready. Well, except for the jacket she had left on the hanger in the other room. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the relative safety of the powder room.

Wilkes' mouth dropped when he saw her, as did the paper he was reading. Nanny blushed fiercely at the look of desire that flared in Wilkes' eyes. Slowly he stood up and approached her, taking her hand in his and raising it to his lips, his eyes running up and down her lush figure, lingering on her buxom chest before focussing on her truly gorgeous eyes. At last he spoke. "Nanny, I have never seen a more beautiful sight... not even two nights ago..."

"Thank you," Nanny murmured breathlessly. "If... if you 'adn't insisted we stop at the dress shop..."

"The outfit is indeed lovely, but it is you... your face, your, er... you know, your figure..." Now it was his turn to blush. He dropped her hand and cleared his throat, wanting nothing more than to bury his face in her invitingly plump cleavage.

Nanny slipped on the short jacket and fastened the button at her throat to cover herself up, then saw the faint look of disappointment in his eyes. Naughty man, wanting to see my 'charms' displayed so blatantly! she thought, suddenly smiling inwardly. Then she daringly yet self-consciously unfastened the jacket button once more with fingers that trembled slightly before crossing her arms over her lovely breasts... an action that succeeded only in pushing the soft mounds together and up further.

Wilkes held out his arm, a big smile on his face as he glanced at her generous cleavage then back into her eyes. "Shall we go downstairs to dine, Miss Nanny?"

"I cawn't think of anything I'd rawther do, Sir Wilkes." Nanny smiled back at him, teasing him with the words he had said to her when she had asked him to dance at the Debutante Ball and gradually relaxing her defensive attitude as she took his arm and they moved to the door.

"Neither can I, Nanny..." he said fervently, then paused and, glancing down her alluring body quickly once more, added with a wicked twinkle in his eye, "Well, er, except perhaps for, you know, staying here. Alone. With you..."

Nanny's fingers began to shake even more and her step faltered a little, then she rallied. "Sir Wilkes, I am shocked! 'ere I am, with a brand new outfit... and you dare to think about not letting me show it off?"

Wilkes laughed heartily, as she had intended, and the two sallied forth to the restaurant downstairs. As they went, Wilkes marvelled at the woman beside him. Nanny, in her late sixties and more than a few pounds overweight, was walking now with confidence. Could new clothes have made such a difference in her? Or could it possibly be his compliments? Now she glided beside him with the grace of a woman half her size, swaying her generous botto and serenely displaying her impressive cleavage. He loved her more than he had ever thought possible, yet at the same time, seeing her like this made him realize that he, himself, really could not measure up to her. What did he have to offer a woman like this? A stout, balding, staid man, a castle all but in ruins and a family feud! No, he had nothing of practical value, that was certain... but he did have a lot of love, he thought with determination, so he wouldn't give up hoping just yet.

Nanny and Wilkes had a very fine dinner indeed. Both of them enjoyed it thoroughly although both were beginning to droop a bit after the long flight and little sleep. Before going back up to their room, Nanny inquired and picked up another message from Kay which had been left at the front desk saying that yes, they were going to Spain so Nanny was to enjoy herself as best she could and they would probably be in England either the next day or the day after, and would meet Nanny at the hotel then.

Nanny's lips tightened after hearing this message, but she said nothing. When they got back up to their room, it was to find the cot already set up under the window, looking very narrow and uncomfortable. Now that they were alone in their room with not much to do before it was time to retire, Nanny looked tense and apprehensive at the sight of the cot, and Wilkes wished he could take her into his arms and tell her not to worry. It still did not seem to be the right time to ask for her hand in marriage, however, so he kept silent about that.

Pretending that he didn't notice her expression, he said, "I expect, Nanny, that Kay will not forget all about you and leave you to kick her heels alone in London for a week or so, until such time as she decides to show up. I expect she and Eloise will be here tomorrow... or the next day at the latest." Then he had a splendid idea. "I say, Nanny, perhaps you would consider coming north with me tomorrow? I could show you my castle, introduce you to my family..." he made a slight face, "who could function as chaperones, if nothing else. My brother Reginald died a number of years ago, but my sister-in-law Gertrude and my nephew Cecil, who is ten years younger than me, live on the family estate, which is just seven miles from my rather dilapidated castle. You could come with me just for a few days... until Kay has, you know, arrived..."

Nanny reflected that she would LOVE to see Wilkes' home here in England and to spend some more time with him... but what if Kay tried to get in touch? Perhaps she should stay here in London, just in case. Still, it was Kay who had urged her to come to England, then hadn't left any other messages, such as when she herself would arrive, or what exactly the urgency of the situation was. She certainly hadn't been very considerate and a small part of Nanny wanted to retaliate. Besides... to be with Wilkes... "Very well," she said at last, determination set in her expression and in the tone of her voice. "I will go with you... if you're sure, sure, sure..."

"You'll come? Brilliant!"

O o O o O o to be continued