‘Thank you. I knew I could depend on you. Lady Rose and Lady Polly will be there.’

The same morning, Rose visited Daisy. ‘Where’s your husband?’ she asked.

‘Becket’s gone out to buy me some fruit.’

‘Do you always call him Becket? What is his first name?’

‘Reginald. I’m worried, Rose.’

‘The doctors say you will soon be restored to complete health.’

‘It’s not that. Becket has found an apartment for us in Bloomsbury. He says it is very fine, three bedrooms. But I am to be the lady of the house. I am not to do any outside work at all. Rose, I will die of boredom.’

‘I am sure he can be persuaded to let you do something.’

‘I don’t think so. He’s become all masterful. You will do this, Daisy, and you will do that. I’m afraid I don’t love him any more.’ A tear slid down Daisy’s cheek.

Rose took her hand. ‘You are still suffering from shock. Once you get on your feet again, you will see things differently.’

But when she left the hospital, Daisy’s words rang like a dirge in her ears. ‘I’m afraid I don’t love him any more.’ For Rose was seriously beginning to wonder if she loved Harry. She found herself thinking more and more about Roger. He was as fair as Harry was dark. He had none of Harry’s brooding good looks. He was sunny and uncomplicated and he made it plain he thought she was wonderful.

Rose knew that unless her intentions were honourable, then she should not continue to see him.

When she arrived with her mother at Lady Glensheil’s that afternoon, it was to find Harry was there. Her heart gave a lurch. Then, without even looking at her, he put down his teacup, muttered an excuse and left the room.

Rose’s face flamed with humiliation. She could see some of the debutantes glancing at her in a sly way and then whispering to one another behind their fans.

And then a welcome voice in her ear said, ‘What a delight to see you again so soon.’

Roger stood smiling down at her. ‘You did not mention at luncheon that you would be here.’

‘Mama handles my social engagements. I did not even know until this afternoon that I was invited.’

Roger fetched a chair and sat down next to her. Now the debutantes were scowling and Rose experienced a little stab of triumph.

Harry found the lady’s maid’s room by studying the sketch of the house that Lady Glensheil had given him. Most of the servants were on duty at the tea party or in the kitchens, and so the upper part of the house was quiet. He tried the door. It was locked. Thankful that he had brought his lock picks with him, he got to work.

At last he got the door open and went inside. He began to search diligently, opening drawers, searching in the wardrobe and under the mattress. He could not find any jewels. The lady’s maid had a jewel box but it only contained a few trinkets.