‘You can’t mean . . . Gentlemen don’t. . .’

‘I am afraid they do. Berrow and Banks paid the young man to entrap Sir Peter.’

‘Have you been to Kerridge? You must tell the police.’

‘I cannot tell the police. Kerridge would be honour-bound to arrest Sir Peter. He would be charged with acts of gross indecency and sentenced to hard labour.’

Rose’s face was bright red. ‘I never imagined . . . I never thought. . . Where is Peter?’

‘Well on his way to the south of France, I hope.’

Rose stared at him for a long moment. ‘Do you see what this means? If Berrow and Banks hired this youth to compromise Sir Peter, then they are probably the ones who hired the assassin to try to kill me.’

‘That is possible. Although I fear one of them wanted Petrey out of the way so that he could try his luck with you. But I definitely cannot tell Kerridge. I am going out this evening to silence Berrow and Banks.’

‘You will kill them?’

‘No, my dear. There are other ways.’

‘I cannot understand why my father did not cancel my engagement.’

‘He will. But I did not, for the moment, want Berrow or Banks to have that satisfaction. Now I need to go out again. May Becket take you home?’

‘Yes, please.’

Harry rang the bell. ‘Becket, take Miss Levine out to the motor. I need a word with Lady Rose in private.’

When they had left, Harry looked seriously at Rose. ‘I am going to ask your father’s permission to pay my addresses to you. What do you think of that?’

‘He will never agree. And why?’

He wanted to say, Because you enchant and infuriate me. Instead he said, ‘Because I would not leave you unprotected. London is full of adventurers. You may make another mistake.’

‘But you will leave me alone like you did before!’

‘I will try to behave like a faithful swain. Come, Rose, we are both misfits and we could deal well together.’

Rose looked up at him from beneath her long lashes. ‘An arrangement like before?’

‘If you wish.’

At last she gave a little sigh. ‘Very well, then.’

‘I must deal with Berrow and Banks first. Then I will call.’

‘I am only agreeing because at the moment I am not allowed out of the house.’

Harry smiled. ‘Let me escort you out to the motor.’

Harry waited until Becket had returned. ‘Do not take off your coat, Becket. We are going to Scotland Yard. How is Phil progressing with the camera work?’

‘He is excellent and knows how to develop and print negatives.’

‘Good. Tell him to get that new Kodak I bought him, film, and magnesium for the flash. I’ll need him tonight. I will also need to furnish you with a pistol, Becket. You do not mind threatening anyone with a pistol, do you?’

‘Certainly not, sir.’

‘So here’s what we will do . . .’