He did not look like a man who has had rather a lot on his mind lately. But then, I probably did not look like a woman working for Scotland Yard.

“Kate m’dear, so lovely to see you. Your name came up today.”

“Oh?” I am used to Benjie’s banter but hadn’t expected him to tell me that I was mentioned at a county event.

“You’ve gathered quite a reputation over the years. The missing maharajah, the library business, and then that unfortunate incident that marred the day in Haworth.”

“I didn’t realise I was so under discussion, Benjie.”

“So what mystery brings you to our neck of the woods?”

“No mystery. I’m here on an assignment –”

“I’m sure you are.”

“For a magazine.”

Gertrude tutted at Benjie. “Stop teasing. Kate is here to take photographs and write about this neglected part of Yorkshire, and why not? It’s all Harrogate and York and picturesque coastlines, and the importance and grandeur of Bradford. We matter too.”

He gave a mock bow. “You must be right, Gertrude. Kate is not here undercover for some nefarious reason. She would not do such a thing in the house of her old friends.”

“Absolutely not,” I said. “Benjie, you ought to be writing novels.”

My heart was beating a little too fast. He knew.

I picked up my camera. “Benjie, you look handsome as ever. Now don’t prevaricate.”

Gertrude winked at me. “He always comes back from these official dos full of himself. And I don’t know why. It’s usually overseas businessmen here to pick British brains. Hope you didn’t tell Johnny Foreigner we’re putting the mill on short time.”

At the mention of short time, Benjie looked suddenly glum.

I looked at my friends through the camera. As they put on their best faces, not a whit of discord or anxiety showed. They were, for that instant, lord and lady of the manor, without a care in the world.

After the photograph, Benjie rang for Raynor. The two retreated to the library.

Gertrude sighed. “What other husband would regard his butler as chief financial adviser?”

“Quite a few I should think.”

“It’s not as if I came empty-handed into this marriage. That mill was my father’s. It just happened to be on Benjie’s family land.”

Gertrude is an expert embroiderer, and that seems to be her refuge. She moved to her usual chair and picked up her needle.

Glancing through the window, I noticed the light, and the shadows made by the poplar trees.

“Gertrude, I’m inclined to take a stroll, while we still have the afternoon light. Will you come?”

“You go, Kate.” She smiled. “Never let it be said that I come between an artist and her inspiration.”

I needed to think. Gertrude was unlikely to be of much help. So taken up with this new idea of adoption, she had probably paid no attention to someone coming to talk to Benjie about a body on a train. He was behaving abominably, by hinting that he knew I was on a case. Either he should come out with it, or keep quiet. So much for the Official Secrets Act.