‘You are a good girl,’ said the countess, relieved that there were no protests. ‘But you will be more at home with your own kind. You are not one of us and never will be.’

Daisy left and went round to the mews and waited and waited for the earl’s carriage to return.

At last, she saw it turning into the mews.

As the coachman, John Silver, descended, Daisy went up to him and asked, ‘Where is my lady?’

‘Gone into the country.’

‘Where?’

‘Can’t say.’ He turned away.

Daisy turned to the two footmen who were getting down from the backstrap. Charles, the head footman, she knew did not approve of her, but Jim, the second footman, had a soft spot for her.

She walked away, determined to get Jim on his own.

She caught him later as he was carrying logs up to the drawing-room. ‘Jim,’ she hissed, ‘where’s my lady? What’s going on?’

‘Told not to breathe a word to you or anyone or I’ll get the sack.’

‘Please, Jim. The countess has sent me packing and my lady would never let that happen. Please, Jim.’

‘All right. But I never told you nothing, mind. Wait till I make up the fire.’

Daisy waited in a fever of impatience until he came out again. ‘In here,’ said Jim, opening the door of the library. He closed the door behind them and spoke rapidly in a low voice. ‘We took her out to a place outside Barnet. It’s called The Grange, about two miles out on the North Road. It was a creepy place, with the windows all barred.

‘There was a chap with white hair waiting on the step and Humphrey called him Dr McWhirter.

‘He and Humphrey led her inside. After ten minutes or so, Humphrey comes out. She says an odd thing, half to herself. She says, “Well, that’s settled madam’s hash.”’

Daisy went to her room and dressed in a warm dress and cloak, a felt hat and boots. She went downstairs and slipped out of the house. She walked through Eaton Square and then through Sloane Square and along the King’s Road to Water Street to Harry’s address. She hoped she would find him at home. She did not want to go to his office, feeling sure that Miss Jubbles would try to stop her from seeing him.

Becket opened the door to her and Daisy fell into his arms and burst into tears. Harry came out of his front parlour. ‘What’s the matter?’ he asked.

‘Don’t know, sir,’ said Becket.

‘Bring her in here and bring brandy.’

Once she had recovered and taken a gulp of brandy, Daisy told them the little she knew.

Harry listened in grim silence. Then he said, ‘Let’s see what Kerridge knows about this place.’