‘Why are you kneeling on the floor?’

‘Because I am going to propose marriage to you, you lucky, lucky child.’

‘Please rise, Sir Richard. I do not wish to get married.’

He struggled to his feet and looked at her in amazement. Then he smiled. ‘Ah, you are teasing me. Your sex was always wilful.’

‘Sir Richard, I have enjoyed our friendship, that I admit, but I did not think for a moment that your feelings were of a warmer nature.’

He looked at her in amazement. ‘Do you mean you are actually refusing me? It would restore your damaged reputation.’

‘I do not have a damaged reputation.’

‘Anyone who has supported the suffragettes has a damaged reputation.’

The previous year, Rose’s photograph, taken at a suffragette rally, had appeared in the Daily Mail.

‘Sir Richard, I do not wish to be unkind. I find your proposal flattering. But there is a great difference in age.’

‘What do you mean? I look like a man in his thirties.’

‘It is pointless to stand here arguing,’ said Rose. ‘I am so very sorry, but I must refuse.’ She dropped him a curtsy and hurried out of the room.

Lady Polly and the earl and Humphrey were standing outside the door. Rose rushed past them and up the stairs.

Sir Richard emerged. ‘Your daughter is mad,’ he pronounced. And Humphrey saw her chance.

‘No, no, my dear Lord and Lady Hadshire,’ said Dr McWhirter later that day. ‘It is not an asylum. It is for people with nervous disorders. Two months under my care and your daughter would be restored to obedience and sanity. The place is called The Grange, just outside Barnet. Like a country house.’

The earl and countess faced him, each thinking that two months without worrying about Rose would be a treat. They could get rid of Daisy Levine, of whom they had never approved.

The earl cleared his throat. ‘We could have her back for the beginning of the season, hey?’

‘Of course.’

‘But she would never go.’

‘You do not tell her where she is going. Simply tell her you want her to make a call on an old friend of yours. Shall we say tomorrow morning? I shall be there personally to receive her.’

‘I’d feel better if we told Cathcart what was happening,’ said the earl.

‘We’ll phone him when we get home.’

So the earl phoned but Miss Jubbles said that Captain Cathcart was not in his office but she would tell him as soon as he returned.

Harry came out of his office just as Miss Jubbles was putting the phone down.

‘Who was that?’ he asked.

‘Just someone who wanted you to find her lost dog. I told her you were not taking any cases at the moment.’

‘Quite right. I’m off to Scotland Yard.’

‘No further forward,’ said Kerridge gloomily.

‘Not traced the owner of the pistol?’