'My dear Kathie, My godson, the Marques de Barrateira, and his stepmother have arrived unexpectedly, several days before I was looking forward to having them. I would like you, dear child, to come and join us for the weekend, and I hope this won't upset any of your own personal arrangements! My car will pick you up at two thirty this afternoon.'

Kathie's two sisters could not understand this invitation from Lady Fitzosborne. Why would she invite quiet, plain young Kathie instead of her much more attractive sisters? And indeed Kathie was puzzled too. But she reasoned that no doubt Lady Fitzosborne needed someone to help with the household arrangements rather than someone to help entertain her guests, and so she set off for the weekend intending to be as useful as possible.