The earl eyed him narrowly. ‘So when’s the wedding?’

‘We will soon fix a date.’

‘This engagement all seems fishy to me. Why are you here? To see Rose?’

‘I am afraid your daughter is furious with me. I was so alarmed at her predicament and so frightened for her welfare that I called her a silly girl.’

‘And so she was.’

‘Lady Rose was very brave. I do not wish to be estranged from her. I am holding a private luncheon party at Rules for Lady Rose and some others. I hoped her curiosity about the outcome of the case would persuade her to accept the invitation. May I beg you to intercede on my behalf?’

The earl sat deep in thought. He wished with all his heart that the engagement could be broken off and that his wayward daughter would find someone more conventional. On the other hand, he shrewdly suspected Rose would run rings round a conventional husband to get her own way, and his wife had informed him that Rose was in love with Cathcart.

‘All right. When?’

‘Tomorrow at one o’clock. Miss Levine and Miss Friendly are invited as well.’

‘Levine’s all right, but why invite the seamstress?’

‘Because she was part of the investigation.’

‘Very well. I’ll see what I can do.’

After Harry had left, the earl went to the morning-room, where Lady Polly was lying on a chaise longue with her head in a book.

‘Problem,’ said the earl. He told her about Harry’s visit.

‘I know my daughter has instructed the staff that she does not wish to see him,’ sighed Lady Polly, putting down her book.

‘High-handed as ever. I’ve this ghastly feeling now that it’s Cathcart or no one. We’ll be stuck with her for life and I won’t have an heir.’

‘I should think it is all very simple,’ said Lady Polly. ‘Tell her we do not wish her to go. She will immediately want to do the opposite. She always does.’

They summoned Rose. She listened in silence. ‘Tell Captain Cathcart that I am not available.’

‘Quite right,’ said Lady Polly. ‘All the wretched man wants to do is to tell you what happened at Scotland Yard. But he has invited Friendly and Levine. I see no reason why they should not attend. In any case, you are being very sensible. I am sure you are just glad the nasty business is all over.’

Rose bit her lip. She hated the idea of Daisy being told all the facts about the winding up of the case.

‘Perhaps I should go,’ she said. ‘After all, I was the one who discovered the murderer for him.’

‘If you go, it will be against our express wishes,’ said her father.

Frustrated, Rose lost her temper. ‘Am I to be kept a prisoner in my rooms for the rest of my life? I tell you, I shall escape and find work. I have done it before and I can do it again.’