Lord Alfred turned Lady Glensheil’s invitation over and over in his long fingers. What was an old battleaxe like Lady Glensheil doing sending him an invitation? Still, it would mean getting out of London and away from his creditors. He had lost heavily at the gaming tables and needed to rusticate. Also, if that superintendent from Scotland Yard came calling again, he would find him gone.

‘The stage is set,’ said Harry a week later. ‘The three have accepted.’

‘I’ve looked up Farthings,’ said Kerridge. ‘There’s an inn nearby called The Feathers. I’ll book in there the first weekend. Slip out and give me a report. Lady Rose has accepted?’

‘Yes, and her parents as well, so I don’t suppose she’ll be able to be of much help. Lady Rose telephoned me the other day.’

‘Aha! You pair getting friendly.’

‘I have no interest in a young female who specializes in getting into trouble.’

‘If you say so.’

Three days before the house party, Lady Polly contracted a feverish cold. ‘I will need to tell Lady Glensheil that we cannot go,’ she said.

‘Mama, I can go with Daisy. Then there’s my new maid, Turner. She will be with us as well. You would not want me to stay in London without your protection while that wicked doctor is still at large.’

‘I suppose not. Lady Glensheil is a stickler for etiquette, so don’t disgrace yourself. And do try to un-Cockneyfy Daisy. She looked at an artichoke at dinner last night and said, “Am I supposed to eat them bleeding leaves?”’

‘If it had not been for Daisy . . .’

‘Oh, don’t start again. You may go. But behave yourself!’

It was lilac time when Rose, Daisy and Rose’s new maid set out for Farthings. More motor cars than ever before were appearing on the streets of London. Rose had originally thought them nasty, smelly, noisy things, but now she looked on them with a jealous eye. She did wish her father would buy one, but he had even refused to buy her a bicycle.

The weather was unusually warm and sunny. The trees and hedgerows were bright green with new leaves forming arches over the road as they drove deeper into the countryside.

Daisy twisted her head round and looked through the window at the back of the carriage. ‘There’s a car following us. It’s been there all the way from London.’

‘Probably Captain Cathcart.’

‘No, it’s not his car.’

‘Then it might be one of the other guests.’

‘I keep worrying about that doctor.’

‘He wouldn’t dare come near me. Besides, Captain Cathcart will be there.’

Daisy sometimes felt impatient with Rose. Couldn’t she see what a suitable match the captain would make? And then she, Daisy, and Becket could maybe be together.