“My dear girl,” he said, forgetting to use my correct title, “we can’t just call the police. I don’t think you realize the delicate nature of this situation.” He moved closer to me, even though we were alone in a dark courtyard. “You say you didn’t recognize her. I rather fear most people would. This is, or rather, was, Bobo Carrington. Surely you’ve heard of her? Her photographs are splashed all over the picture papers.”

“I may have seen them,” I said tentatively.

“She’s a well-known socialite and partygoer and also at one stage her name was linked with Prince George.”

“Oh crikey,” I said, too shocked to worry about schoolgirl expressions and the need to sound sophisticated.

“So now you see,” he said. “We can’t just call the police. If any word gets out, any hint to the press, it would ruin everything. The scandal would be horrendous. The marriage could never take place.”

I nodded. I did see, all too clearly.

“But we shouldn’t move her,” I said. “There are bound to be clues, pieces of evidence.”

“I have a dark gray blanket on my bed,” he said. “We could cover her with that until morning. But something will have to be done before the first grounds staff pass this way.” He looked up at the building, frowning. “Luckily there aren’t many windows that look onto this courtyard. One up in Princess Louise’s apartment, but she usually goes to bed early and I believe it’s a bedroom that is not used. And the one on the second floor of your apartment with the light still on is surely your own room.”

“Yes, it must be,” I said.

“Might your maid have looked out of the window?”

“It’s possible. But she’s quite susceptible and already finds the place rather spooky. If she mentions anything I’ll tell her about Princess Sophia’s ghost.”

“Good girl.” He smiled at me.

“So I’ll go and get the blanket to cover her and I suggest you go inside and have someone bring you a brandy. You’ll need it for shock and it’s devilish cold out here. You don’t want to come down with a chill.”

I was going to tell him that I’d been involved in murder cases before and I was strong enough to help him, but I realized I did feel quite shivery.

“If you’re sure there is nothing more I can do?”

“You’ve been very brave, Lady Georgiana. But I suggest you go to bed,” he said. “There’s nothing else you can do now.”

A great gust of wind swirled up, stirring the dead girl’s clothing. The sequins on her dress sparkled suddenly in the beam from the flashlight. I wanted nothing more than to get away from that spot.