‘Ideally,’ said Paul, ‘I’d like some time alone with our renowned President of the Board of Trade but I doubt if Oswald Ferriday will let me within a mile of him.’

‘He obviously has something to hide.’

‘You could say that of all politicians – even Sir Roger Mellanby.’

‘Who was this mistress of his that you met?’

‘Kitty Denley. There’s much more to come from her yet. Seeing her again is one of my priorities.’

‘What about me?’

‘I’d like your opinion of her husband, Hugh Denley. I certainly haven’t crossed his name off the list of suspects yet. Losing a duel rankles, especially if it means you lose your wife into the bargain.’

Peter came to a sudden halt.

‘What’s wrong?’ asked Paul.

‘I’ve just thought of something,’ said Peter. ‘Sir Roger’s son and his lawyer came to London to attend the inquest before taking the body home. What were the two of them doing at the House of Commons?’

Reading a play with an actress she held in the highest regard had not only taken Dorothea’s mind off her anxieties, it had tired her. The performance as Isabella – albeit only a first reading of the role – had required effort and concentration. It had taxed her emotions. Worried about Price earlier on, she’d been unable to sleep but she was now close to exhaustion. Her eyelids now began to flutter and she drifted gently off.

Hannah was glad to see her getting some of the rest she so obviously needed. As she looked down at her friend, she was reminded of herself at that age. She, too, had been a young actress, struggling to make her mark in an unforgiving profession. Her beauty had attracted unwanted attention from men in the company and aroused jealousy in the women. Like Dorothea, she had once fallen in love with a man who had deceived her but, in her case, she had realised her mistake in time.

Without disturbing her friend’s slumber, she got up and went to the bureau to take out the letter she’d received from the Prince Regent. It still left her in a state of indecision. The invitation was carefully worded and there was a real flourish to the signature. It had been sent by someone who was used to being obeyed. Hannah was still poring over the invitation when Dorothea came instantly awake.

‘Oh,’ she said, sitting up with embarrassment, ‘I do apologise.’

‘You’ve nothing to apologise for, Dorothea. You’re fatigued and overwrought. How you stayed awake this long I don’t know. Your body was telling you that you needed a rest. That’s why you fell asleep.’

‘It was dreadful of me, Miss Granville.’