“Detective Chief Inspector Fairbotham, Royal Kent Constabulary,” the big man’s voice boomed as they entered the entrance hall. “This young chap is Stubbins, my sergeant. I’m told there’s been a murder on this estate. Someone’s not having me on, are they? It’s not the bright young things’ way of livening up a rainy day by calling out the police on false pretenses?”

Huxstep chose not to answer that. “If you’d like to follow me to the library, I will inform Her Grace that you are here.”

And the voices died away down the hall.

“What an uncouth-looking man,” Edwina said. “And with a northern accent too. I wonder why the Royal Kent Constabulary had to go looking for an inspector from northern climes. I’ve always felt that civilization, as we know it, ended at a line drawn between Oxford and Cambridge.”

Huxstep now appeared in the doorway. “I’ve shown Detective Chief Inspector Fairbotham into the library, Your Grace.”

Nick and Katherine nudged one another. “He did have more than a fair botham, wouldn’t you say, Kat? His name should be changed to Large-botham.”

“That is enough, children.” Edwina frowned. “One does not mock those who are socially beneath us. It simply isn’t done.” She turned to Huxstep. “Please make sure that His Grace and Cedric’s young men know that they will be wanted downstairs shortly. I’m glad you put the inspector in the library. Most suitable. One does not want the man to be overawed by his surroundings in a room that is too large. It makes them so defensive.”

She held out her hand to me. “Georgiana, I am going to speak with him first, to make sure he gets his facts right and doesn’t come up with any strange ideas. Since you were the one who discovered my son’s body, maybe you should come with me.”

“If you wish, Your Grace,” I said, trying to think of a way that I could bring Darcy along with me. Frankly, I wasn’t looking forward to coming face-to-face with that large, loud police inspector. I’d had my share of encounters with the police during the past few years and not many of them had been pleasant. It had been my experience that most of them had a chip on the shoulder toward the aristocracy.

The walk down the hall seemed to take forever. Huxstep went ahead, opening the door for us and announcing, “Her Grace, the dowager duchess of Eynsford, and Lady Georgiana Rannoch.”

Inspector Fairbotham rose to his feet, looking uncomfortable. “I’m sorry you ladies have had to get involved with this, but I understand there has been a murder on your property. Do you happen to know the name of the deceased?”

“Of course I know his name. It’s my son the Duke of Eynsford,” Edwina said testily.

“The duke? You saw his body yourself, did you? You identified him?”