Louella Derby had just sat down when the phone rang.

‘Good afternoon, Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, this is Louella Derby speaking.’

There was a long pause as she listened to the caller. ‘Yes, of course. I’m sure that she’d be very happy to talk with you right away, Ma’am,’ Louella said. ‘May I just put you on hold for a moment?’

The secretary pressed the ‘hold’ button and then hesitated before buzzing the intercom.

Miss Grimm’s tired voice came through. ‘Is it urgent, Mrs Derby?’

‘I’m so sorry to bother you, Miss Grimm. I know you’ve had a hectic day but there’s someone you’ll want to speak to on the other line.’

‘I doubt there is anyone on earth that I want to speak to at the moment, even the Queen herself. And if it’s the builder telling me about another problem, hang up. I’ll call him back tomorrow when I have the energy to deal with whatever disaster he’s going to throw at me time this time. Now I must get –’

‘No, no, please don’t hang up. It’s Her Majesty,’ Mrs Derby said quickly.

‘Queen Georgiana?’ Miss Grimm was suddenly wide awake. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? I suppose you tried but I was too busy feeling sorry for myself. Did she say what she wants?’

‘Not exactly, but she’s heard about the delay with the new boarding house and has a proposal that could be a lifesaver for both of you.’

‘Well, don’t just sit there talking, Mrs Derby. Put her through and, for heaven’s sake, don’t cut her off. I haven’t got her direct line and it takes hours to get through that lady-in-waiting of hers. What’s her name?’

‘Marmalade,’ Louella Derby replied.

‘Yes, Mrs Marmalade. That woman’s more terrifying than a terrier in a room full of tabbies,’ Miss Grimm replied, smiling at the image.

There was a long silence.

‘Well, what are you waiting for?’ Miss Grimm snapped.

‘You actually,’ a deeper voice replied.

Ophelia Grimm almost fell off her chair. ‘I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. I hadn’t realised my secretary had transferred the call.’

Ophelia took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Although she’d met the Queen on several occasions and hosted her for tea in the study, she still couldn’t get used to the idea that the monarch of their country was on the other end of the telephone.

‘How may I help, Your Majesty?’ she asked.

‘I was wondering if I might pop around and see you,’ said Queen Georgiana. ‘I have something to discuss and it might be easier if I laid it all out in front of you.’

Ophelia nodded fiercely then realised she hadn’t actually replied. ‘Yes, of course, Ma’am. Any time that suits.’

‘What about in ten minutes? I’m over at Chesterfield Downs for the night. We had some new horses arrive this afternoon and I thought I’d come and see how they were settling in.’

‘Certainly,’ said Miss Grimm.

‘And don’t make a fuss. I’d rather no one knows I’m there. I was supposed to have this sorted out months ago – I’ll look a right twit if it goes ahead and I haven’t had it trialled.’

Ophelia was intrigued. ‘Yes, Your Majesty, I won’t breathe a word. Might I suggest your driver parks in the front? I’ll come and open the main doors. The girls never use that side of the building and they should all be in the house getting ready for tea when you arrive.’

‘Splendid. If we can come to some sort of arrangement, I rather hope you can tell the girls the good news this evening,’ Queen Georgiana said. ‘There’s no time to lose. Hang on a tick, dear.’ There was a short silence while Queen Georgiana ran her eyes over the proposal in front of her.

Ophelia Grimm wasn’t certain that she was still on the line when suddenly Her Majesty’s voice boomed, ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake!’

‘Is everything all right, Ma’am?’

‘I’ve just realised I need some boys for this as well. Right. Well … Yes, that’s it. Can you get onto Professor Winterbottom and have him meet us too? The old boy owes me a favour. I gave him a hot tip in the first at Ellingworth. The man made a small fortune, I believe.’ And with that Queen Georgiana hung up the telephone.

Miss Grimm dialled the number for Fayle School. She glanced at her watch, hoping the Professor hadn’t already gone to tea. She was about to give up when he answered. Ophelia raced through the Queen’s request, noting the favour she had done him, and the Professor said that he’d be over in a flash. She looked around her study. There was a pile of enrolment papers on the desk and several stacks of books that Miss Reedy had suggested the girls could study this term, which she wanted to read for herself.

‘Mrs Derby!’ Ophelia called as she reefed open the double doors.

Louella leapt from her seat. ‘What’s the matter, Miss Grimm?’

‘Quickly, come and help me tidy up. The Queen’s coming.’ She picked up the papers from her desk and dumped them into the secretary’s outstretched arms.

‘When, Miss Grimm?’ she asked as she balanced the pile and took them to her own desk.

‘About ten minutes,’ Ophelia replied.

‘Goodness, she’s always given us more warning than that,’ Mrs Derby called over her shoulder.

‘Not this time. And you’re not to tell a soul. Help me get this done and then you can go and stand guard at the front doors. Oh, and Professor Winterbottom’s on his way too.’

‘Yes, Miss Grimm.’ Mrs Derby raced back into the headmistress’s study and cleared away the cup and saucer on her desk.