Adrian was waiting for him on the landing, and after warm greetings were exchanged, he led Robert into the new dining room where they would be having the midday meal.

Robert stood in the middle of the room and glanced around. What he saw pleased him. Pine-panelled bookshelves on either side of the fireplace, and rose-brocade draperies at the two high windows, covering other walls and on the chair seats.

A carpet filled with a mixture of pinks and reds covered the floor. In the middle of the room, a circular polished wood table was set for two, and on the back wall there was a beautiful Chippendale sideboard.

‘Congratulations, Adrian!’ Robert exclaimed, turning to his friend. ‘Your team has done a wonderful job. It’s fresh, very inviting. And, of course, it has elegance as well.’

‘Thanks, I’m glad you like it. This room has looked faded and worn out for years, very Victorian. We’re living in the Edwardian era now, an era of great change, and change for the better.’ Walking over to the sideboard, Adrian continued, ‘How about a spot of bubbly, or do you prefer a glass of white wine?’

‘Champagne, please, Addy. It’s lighter. You know I don’t drink much, and especially during the day.’

Once they had toasted each other, clinking glasses, Robert gave Adrian a pointed look, and said, ‘Colin Wilson’s in town for our estate meeting, I asked him to come down rather than wait for my return. He popped a note through my letter box this morning on his way to breakfast in Shepherd Market.’

Reaching into his coat pocket, Robert took out the note and handed it to his closest friend. ‘Read that.’

Adrian scanned the note and raised his eyebrows. Eyeing Robert, he said, ‘This is a surprise. You could say we’ve got her by the short hairs.’

‘Exactly,’ Robert responded. ‘You could also say she’s fallen right into our hands. Or rather, the hands of one of your private investigators.’

‘Damned right.’ Raising his flute of champagne to Robert, Adrian said, ‘Here’s to an unexpected windfall.’

Robert grinned, took a sip of the Dom Pérignon. ‘How did your meeting go this morning?’

‘My private investigating firm has taken the job. Oh, and one of the operatives pointed out another thing. He said that desertion has been used as grounds for divorce by some men.’

Robert nodded. ‘That occurred to me a couple of years ago, but I was in the middle of a huge business deal at the time, and pushed my marital situation to one side. And strictly speaking our paths still cross, so I think adultery is a safer option.’

‘True, well, you’ve been avoiding the issue for bloody years, so now’s definitely the time to jump into the fray, my boy, and with both feet.’