“Well, it was for Viv’s mental health,” I said. “So I figured it was worth the risk of getting into trouble.”

“Did you?” he asked. “Get into trouble?”

“Detective Stewart wasn’t thrilled that we’d left the grounds but he didn’t haul us in for questioning or arrest us if that’s what you mean.”

“I can’t believe the risk he’s taking by keeping you all there. I mean, there’s a killer in that castle and if anyone else gets murdered—” His voice trailed off. I could hear the frustration pouring off him even over the phone. “I’m going to call Alistair and see what we can do.”

“Thank you,” I said. “It’s nice to have someone on the outside. Now how’s Bella?”

“Bella from hella misses you,” he said. “Also, she chewed up my new trainers.”

“The pair?” I asked.

“Just the left one,” he said.

“Do you think it tasted better than the right one?” I joked.

“Perhaps it had more sole,” he returned.

“Heel-arious.” I groaned. He laughed, and I felt as if I’d achieved a victory. This was why I had to marry Harry. He was the only one who laughed at my puns, and it had taken me years to get him to this point. I clearly could never leave him. “Send me pictures of her. I miss her.”

“Ahem.” He cleared his throat.

“And you, too, of course,” I said.

“Thank you,” he said. “I miss you, too. I still think I should come down.”

“I don’t think they’ll let you in. Besides, I doubt they’ll keep us here past Sunday,” I said. “I assume since we were all staying here anyway and it’s a murder investigation, that they’ll keep us until Sunday, but I can’t imagine they’ll demand that several dozen people stay in a castle for longer than they originally planned. I mean, who would pay for it?”

“That could be why Detective Stewart is pushing so hard,” Harry said. “He’s on a time crunch.”

“So, I’ll see you on Sunday, unless we’re let out early for good behavior,” I said.

“I’ll be there on Sunday,” he said. “If not sooner.”

We exchanged “I love yous” and I ended the call. I missed Harry. I missed our apartment—excuse me, our flat—in Notting Hill. While Sussex was lovely, minus the murder, and I enjoyed breathing in the country air, I missed our life. I missed Fee and the hat shop and the Saturday market. In short, I wanted to go home.

“How’s Harrison?” Viv asked.

“Concerned,” I said. “He wants to come and get us now.”

“I hope you told him yes,” she said.

“Why? They’re not going to let us go and he’d just be stuck here, too,” I said. “Besides, who would look after Bella?”

“Fee could watch her,” Viv said.