“When one has been to a school like Gairlachan one has learned to stand on one’s own feet,” Binky said frostily.

“Besides,” I said, “what possible motive could the duke and I have in wanting to kill a strange Frenchman?”

“Plenty of motives come to mind, your ladyship.” These last words dripped with sarcasm. “This man was known to be a gambler. He was seen in one of the city’s most notorious gambling haunts this week. Maybe your brother had run up gambling debts that he couldn’t afford to repay. . . .”

“My dear man,” Binky spluttered, rising to his feet. “I can barely afford to keep my place in Scotland running. It takes every penny of my meager income to feed my cattle and my staff. We don’t heat the place. We live with incredible frugality. I assure you I have never gambled in my life!”

“All right, sir. As yet nobody has accused you of anything. We’re merely putting together pieces of the puzzle. I think that’s all for now. But I expect we’ll want to speak to you again. Will you be staying at your house—without servants?”

“I’ll be at my club,” Binky said, “and Lady Georgiana, I believe, is staying with friends.”

“We’ll be in touch, sir.” The inspector got to his feet. “Thank you both for coming in.”

The interview was at an end.

“I thought that went rather well, don’t you?” Binky said as we came out of Scotland Yard.

Rather well? This was rather like our ancestor, Bonnie Prince Charlie, saying that he thought the battle of Culloden went rather well. I wondered whether the men of our family line were unbridled optimists or just plain thick.

The next morning I awoke, with a definite crick in my neck, to see Belinda tiptoeing across the room.

“You’re up early,” I said drowsily.

“Darling, I haven’t been to bed yet—or should one correct that to I haven’t been to my own bed yet.”

“So I take it the selection of males was preferable to last night’s?”

“Absolutely, darling.”

“Are you going to elaborate?”

“That would not be discreet. Suffice it to say that it was heavenly.”

“And will you be seeing him again?”

“One never knows.” Again a dreamy smile as she made for the stairs. “I am now going to sleep. Please do not wake me, even if a body turns up in my own bathtub.”

She reached the bottom step then turned back to me. “There’s going to be a fabulous party on a boat this evening. A real boat with a motor this time. We’re going to take a picnic down the Thames to Greenwich, and you’re invited, of course.”

“Oh, I don’t think—” I began but she cut me off.