‘What about the so-called freedom of the press?’ asked Kerridge.

‘These editors have probably all been told that a knighthood may be in the offing if they behave themselves. A statement is to be issued tomorrow in all the newspapers to say the police have found Lady Rose to be innocent of any crime.’

‘It is lucky that I believe that to be true. What if it turns out that our royal personage was involved in some way?’

‘Piffle. Absolute piffle. I prefer to forget you even said that, Kerridge. Now go about your business.’

Harry found no trace of the mysterious Mr Cramley in Thurby-on-Sea.He returned to the hotel and told Rose and Daisy to be ready to leave.

Rose hesitated on the steps of the hotel. A watery sunlight was shining on the choppy sea and the wind had died down. She wished in that moment that Harry had not found her so quickly. Oh, for just a few days away from the press and the gossip of society!

‘Come along,’ barked Harry.

‘Yes, sir,’ said Rose and gave him a mock salute. Harry glared at her. She should be ashamed, contrite, over all the trouble she had caused him.

Rose, wrapped up in a bearskin rug and with her veil tied down over her hat, sat in the passenger seat of Harry’s Rolls-Royce as they cruised along the streets of London. Harry was driving and Becket and Daisy were in the back.

A thin mist was swirling among the narrow sooty streets. Women, wearing the enormous hats which were so fashionable, hurried along like so many animated mushrooms. Moisture from the mist made the sooty buildings on either side glisten like jet. The air smelt of horse manure, bad drains, patchouli and baking bread.

Harry, who had maintained an angry silence during the journey, broke it to ask, ‘What were your parents about, to come to London during such an unfashionable period?’

‘My mother gets bored in the country. They would not let me work for you unless they were in London as well. Where are you going? This is not the way home.’

‘We are going straight to Scotland Yard. Kerridge will want to see you. Once you are home, he will not have a chance. You will no doubt have to begin preparations to go to India.’

‘But I am engaged to you!’

‘Your father was just terminating the engagement when the news came that you had been found standing over a dead body with a gun in your hand.’

‘I can’t go!’
‘It might be best for all of us. You can no longer work for me. The press will follow your every move.’

Rose realized for the first time that before, she had always had a certain hold on him, and she sensed miserably that that hold had gone.

Kerridge greeted them with relief. ‘I had better telephone your parents to say you are safe and well.’

‘Before you do that,’ said Harry, ‘let’s discuss this.’ He took out the bundle of threatening letters and explained to Kerridge how they had been found.