Rose came to the head of the stairs, followed by a round and pleasant-looking woman. I noticed that Rose had changed into a smart black dress which actually made her look quite stylish and slim. She saw me in the foyer. “Oh, Georgie. My mother has arrived. Isn’t that nice? Mum, this is Lady Georgiana I told you about.”

“Pleased to meet you, your ladyship,” Rose’s mother said, coming down the stairs to greet me. “I’m sorry we meet at such a sad time. My poor Rosie. She was so happy, married to that lovely man and now he’s struck down in his prime. And I was so shocked to learn that it was Miss Belinda who did this awful thing. Miss Belinda of all people. Such a kind and friendly little girl when I looked after her. I used to let her help me with the baking and she loved it. I’m only glad old Lady Knott is not around to see this. It would be the death of her. Ever so proud of her family and her granddaughter, old Lady Knott was—” She broke off, flushing with embarrassment.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Barnes,” I said. “But I really don’t believe that Miss Belinda killed him, however bad it looks now. We will get to the bottom of it and find out who is responsible, I promise.”

“Come on, Mum. Let’s have some tea, shall we?” Rose stepped between us and shepherded her mother away and down the hall. I waited until they had disappeared and then I sprinted up the stairs. The door was open to a room close to the end of the upstairs corridor. I peeked inside and saw the young maid, Elsie. I went in, closing the door behind me. The maid dropped the jumper she had just folded and regarded me warily. “Can I help you, my lady?” she asked.

“Do you enjoy working here, Elsie?” I asked.

She looked confused. “I don’t know if anyone enjoys scrubbing and cleaning, but it’s a good job and I’m paid fairly.”

“And treated well?”

She glanced up, then said, “Well, Mrs. Mannering can be a bit of an old cow sometimes but apart from that I’ve no complaints.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Summers both treat you well?”

“She’s really nice. Grateful for everything. But Mr. Summers . . .” She paused.

“Wasn’t so nice?” I suggested.

“Oh, he was friendly enough but a bit of a slob, if you get my meaning. I mean, left his clothes all over the place and his bathroom . . . well, it was always a mess.”

“Elsie, are you Mrs. Summers’s lady’s maid?” I asked.

“I’m the upstairs maid, your ladyship. I take care of Mrs. Summers but she don’t really want to be fussed over like some of the ladies. I also do the upstairs cleaning.”