“There’s really no hurry,” I said, “and I don’t want to disturb your work. But you can tell me one thing: whose job is it to answer the front door?”

She frowned. “We don’t have a proper butler, so it would be Jimmy, the first footman. But Elsie, the parlor maid, she’d also do it if she heard a knock.”

“And if you heard a knock, while you were cleaning, maybe?”

“I’d go and find one of them, my lady. It’s not my place to answer doors, especially not if I’m wearing a coarse apron like now.”

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Ivy, your ladyship.” She studied her toes as she muttered the words, probably scared she’d now be in trouble.

“Well, Ivy, I wonder if you can think back to Princess Marina’s first evening here. We went to dine at Buckingham Palace, and the countess had dinner alone here.”

She looked up, a relieved smile on her lips. “Oh yes, my lady. Of course I remember.”

“Do you know if anyone came to the door that evening? Or was anyone seen outside at all?”

“I wouldn’t know, my lady. I was put to polishing silver and didn’t leave the kitchen. And I go to bed early on account of having to be up at five.”

“Thank you, Ivy. You can get on with your work. But tell me, what time do the servants have their breakfast?”

“At seven thirty, my lady.”

“Would you please pass along the message that I’d like a word with them at that time?”