‘How can I? The church is open to all. But I would have thought you’d be on your way back to London by now. That’s where the murder will be solved – not in a sleepy village like this.’

‘I came to show my respects.’

Oxley glared. ‘You hardly knew Sir Roger.’

‘I wish that I’d had that pleasure. He seems to have been an exceptional man in every way and championed a cause for which I have a lot of sympathy. That only serves to stiffen my resolve to find those responsible for his death.’

‘How long are you staying in the area?’

‘Why are you so anxious for me to leave, Mr Oxley?’

‘It’s because I think that your visit is pointless.’

‘That’s for me to decide,’ said Peter. ‘Sir Roger’s younger son is happy that I’m here and so are all the people at the meeting I attended yesterday evening. They were kind enough to show some gratitude. All that you’ve done is to obstruct me.’

Oxley stiffened. ‘What are you implying?’

‘You’re an intelligent man. I’m sure that you can work it out for yourself.’

‘It’s a base accusation. I talked to you at length only yesterday.’

‘I agree, but you carefully evaded most of my questions.’

‘You trespassed on areas that must remain private.’

‘Dead men don’t have privacy, Mr Oxley.’

Though Peter spoke softly, his words had a powerful effect. The lawyer’s face was puce with anger and he looked as if he were about to strike. Unable to find a rejoinder, he turned on his heel and marched towards the door where his wife was waiting for him. They went out together. The church was almost empty now, so it was not long before Peter was joined by the vicar. Taking the service in such circumstances had clearly taxed him. He was almost sagging with fatigue. Peter walked towards him.

‘Let’s go into the vestry,’ said David. ‘We can talk alone in there.’

A combination of drink, excitement and the lengthy celebrations had tired Hannah Granville. Once she’d recovered from the shock of the letter from the Prince Regent, she had to be helped upstairs by Paul and put to bed. She was almost instantly asleep and didn’t wake up until mid morning. When she came downstairs, Hannah was just in time to stop Paul from leaving the house.

‘Where are you going?’ she asked.

‘I have to pay a visit to someone,’ he explained. ‘Captain Golightly sent a message by hand.’

‘What about my message? Have you so soon forgotten that? Having hoped that I’d got free of the Prince Regent, I’ve now been summoned to Brighton Pavilion.’

‘It was only an invitation, Hannah. You can simply refuse it.’

‘Nobody can refuse a request from our next king.’

‘Then you must set a precedent.’