“I did. She was just too perfect. There was one other time when I came up against a too perfect servant. And she was also dangerous. So remind me that I never get rid of Queenie. At least she’d only kill me by accident.”

Belinda smiled. “I suppose living cut off from the world in a dark and gloomy house like that can start to prey on one’s mind. She might have been a bright and hopeful young girl once. Forced into a relationship with her master. Baby taken away from her and she gives all her love and affection to someone who betrayed her.”

“You were betrayed and had to give up your baby,” I said, “but I haven’t noticed you planning to kill anyone.”

“No, I’m not the violent sort.” She paused. “I must say I was disappointed to hear that my grandmother refused to help her.”

“I remember that you were desperate that your grandmother didn’t find out about your own pregnancy,” I reminded her.

“You’re right. She always was a stickler for correctness, in fact she—” She broke off as we heard raised voices in the reception hall. “I would have to check whether Miss Warburton-Stoke is actually in residence, sir,” the frosty reception clerk was saying.

“What do you mean, have to check?” said an aggressive male voice. “Either she’s here or she’s not. I’m her father, dammit.”

Belinda jumped up. “Daddy!” she yelled and rushed toward him.

“My dear child! Are you all right? I thought I’d find you in a prison cell. Are you out on bail? Don’t worry. We’ll find you the best lawyer. It was self-defense.”

“Daddy, don’t worry. Someone else has confessed. I’m a free woman. But it was so good of you to come.”

“Had to leave a dashed good shoot,” he said. “We were out three days stalking such a fine stag, and I had to leave the others to it.”

“I’m glad to know I’m more important than a stag,” Belinda said.

“Well, there are other stags but only one daughter,” he confessed. He still had his arm around her. “What an ordeal, but you look splendid. Look, why don’t you come home to us for a while. Let Cook try to fatten you up like she used to.” There was a wistful look on his face. “We haven’t seen anything of you in quite a while.”

“You know why that is, don’t you?” Belinda said.

Her father made a face. “I know that you and Sylvia don’t exactly get along.”

“Get along? Daddy, she made it quite clear from the first moment that she couldn’t stand the sight of me. And she certainly didn’t want to share your affection. The first time she came to the house I heard her saying ‘You are planning to send her away to school, I hope?’