She was walking in the gardens to take the air. The morning’s rain had cleared but the clouds were still thick overhead and a stiff wind was blowing. Daisy had just grumbled that it was too nasty to be outside and Rose had sent her away.

She heard someone calling her name and turned round. Tristram Baker-Willis came up to her. ‘Lady Rose, I have been trying to have a word in private with you.’

‘Go ahead,’ said Rose. ‘Is it something to do with these murders?’

‘No. And such a pretty lady as yourself should not be troubling your head with such awful things. I blame Captain Cathcart. He’s always whispering to you. Is there something between you?’

‘Nothing at all,’ snapped Rose.

‘You see – this is jolly difficult – I’ve fallen most awfully terribly in love with you and I want you to be my wife.’

Rose stared at him in amazement. ‘Why?’

‘I just told you,’ he said in tones of exasperation. ‘You’re making this awfully difficult for a chap.’

‘Mr Baker-Willis,’ said Rose, ‘I fear the fright of these murders is making you behave in a strange way. My parents have told me to return to London as soon as possible. But although you should have asked my parents’ permission first before proposing to me, I can give you my answer. I barely know you and, no, I do not wish to marry you or anyone else here.’

He kicked moodily at the sodden earth of a flower-bed. ‘I may be your last chance.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘You know you’re called the Ice Queen and chaps say you talk like an encyclopedia. I don’t mind all that, but most chaps would.’

‘I am getting cold, Mr Baker-Willis. I find your proposal unflattering. If you will excuse me . . .’

She hurried away from him round the house and nearly collided with Harry.

‘Whoa!’ he exclaimed. ‘What’s all the rush?’

‘Mr Baker-Willis has just proposed marriage to me.’

‘Has he, by Jove? Why on earth would he do that?’

‘Get out of my way, you stupid man,’ shouted Rose. She pushed past him and stalked into the house.

‘And Captain Harry dared to wonder why anyone would propose to me,’ raged Rose to Daisy a few minutes later.

‘It does seem odd.’

‘Not you, too!’

‘I mean,’ said Daisy, ‘it’s not odd that a gentleman should propose to you. Only if the gentleman happens to be Mr Baker-Willis. He hasn’t been making sheep’s eyes at you. Why the sudden interest?’

‘I have a very large dowry,’ said Rose in a small voice, her anger evaporating.

‘That’s probably it. A lot of those fellows are always looking for an heiress. And a title draws them like a magnet.’

‘Oh dear,’ said Rose. ‘I called Captain Harry stupid. I thought he was saying I was too ugly to attract a proposal from anyone, including himself.’