‘We can do without it,’ snapped Edmund. ‘Don’t say anything,’ he went on as David tried to intervene. ‘I’m the head of the family now. I make all the decisions. When it comes to judgement of character, I prize Oxley’s opinion above yours. You have this irritating habit of finding good in even the most disreputable people.’ His eyes shifted to Peter. ‘You are not wanted, sir. I’ll thank you to get out of this house, never to return. Is that plain enough for you?’

‘It is,’ said Peter, rising calmly to his feet. ‘I bid you all good day.’

‘One moment,’ said David, jumping up.

‘Let him go,’ ordered his brother.

‘But he has no means of transport, Edmund. His friend, Mr Hooper, took the trap that brought the pair of them here. Common decency obliges us to offer him a ride back to Nottingham.’

‘That’s very kind of you,’ said Peter, ‘but I’m fit enough to walk and happy to do so. Now that I’ve had some insight into how this family operates, I’ve got what I came for.’ He distributed a smile between them. ‘Once more, gentlemen – goodbye.’

Captain Golightly was in a far more hospitable mood. He invited Paul into his study and called for refreshments. When they’d been provided with sherry and biscuits, he made a confession to his visitor.

‘I must apologise, Mr Skillen,’ he said.

‘I see no cause for an apology.’

‘Friendship got the better of honesty. Out of loyalty to Sir Roger, I held back information that might have some bearing on the case.’

‘I’ll be pleased to hear it.’

‘Did you speak to Hugh Denley?’

‘Yes, I spent an interesting time in his company. He was unashamedly delighted to hear of Sir Roger’s death but denied having anything to do with it.’

‘Did you believe him?’

‘Not for one moment,’ said Paul. ‘Of the three people I spoke to, Denley would be my chief suspect. It was curious. Being embarrassed in a duel seemed to rankle far more than losing his wife.’

‘It was never a happy marriage. Sir Roger realised that and exploited the fact.’

Paul was taken aback. ‘There was a dalliance with Mrs Denley?’

‘I fear that there was.’

‘But the lady denied it hotly.’

‘She was seizing on the excuse to part with her husband.’

‘And did the relationship with Sir Roger continue afterwards?’

‘Yes, it did,’ said Golightly. ‘In matters of the heart, he followed his own inclinations and … Kitty Denley is an uncommonly pretty woman.’ He sucked his teeth. ‘You know the worst about him now. Forgive me for trying to shield him from the taint of scandal.’

‘That’s a natural instinct. I don’t blame you.’

‘Thank you.’

‘What state will Mrs Denley be in now?’

‘I should imagine that she’s in despair.’

‘Do you have her address, by any chance?’