“We’re fingerprinting the lot of them, although the gun that shot Dolores had Lady Rose’s fingerprints on it. Isn’t society amazing? If Lady Rose had been Miss Bloggs of Nowhere, she’d be ready for a hanging about now.”
“Don’t even think about it. I’m off to the hospital to see Daisy.”
♦
Harry was told that Mrs Becket was asleep and was conducted to the room given to Becket.
“How is she?” asked Harry.
“She’s lost the baby. She has a bad concussion and lost a lot of blood but they say she is going to be all right.”
“Docherty should be charged with murder. I thought he only hit her on the head.”
“They say she would probably have lost the baby anyway. It was a weak pregnancy.”
“I want you to stay here until she’s better. I’ll go home and pack up your clothes and shaving kit. And tell them to bill me for any expenses.”
“Lord and Lady Hadshire have taken care of everything.”
“Really? You amaze me. I’ll be back shortly with your things.”
♦
Harry collected his car from where Becket had left it outside the hospital. He considered his changed circumstances as he drove back to Chelsea. Before he had started the agency, when he had little money, he had been content with Becket as his only servant. Then there was Phil, but Phil had left. He would hire two detectives to help him, and in the morning he would get his secretary to call an agency and employ a housekeeper and gentleman’s gentleman. He would find an apartment for Daisy and Becket. Becket could work as his chauffeur and Daisy could be a lady of leisure.
During the next week, he longed to see Rose, but instructing his two new detectives and breaking in new staff left him little time to visit the hospital, and on each occasion he found Rose had just left.
Kerridge phoned him one day to say that they could not charge either Jones or Docherty with the murder of Dolores because there was no proof. “But if they didn’t do it, I’m sure they organized it,” he said, “so Lady Rose does not have to worry about any of them any more.”
♦
Harry entered his office in the morning to be told that Lady Glensheil was waiting for him. He had worked for Lady Glensheil before.
Lady Glensheil was an imposing woman with a face like a Roman emperor.
“How can I help you?” he asked, ushering her into the inner office.
She sat down with a sigh. Her hat was decorated with a stuffed ptarmigan with little rubies for eyes. He wondered how she could bear the weight of it.
“I employ a lady’s maid. Her name is Henrietta Thomson.”
Harry had begun to take notes. He looked up sharply. “She did not once work for Dolores Duval, did she?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Who was her last employer?”
“Lady Burridge. Thomson has excellent references.”
“I think I know the woman. But first tell me your problem.”
“Some of my jewellery has gone missing. I do not want to call in the police because most of the staff have been with me for a long time. I am having one of my tea afternoons. If you could come at five as a guest but observe the servants and this Thomson woman and tell me what you think…”
“Perhaps it would be better if you could sketch me a plan of the house, pointing out where her room is. When your guests arrive, keep her occupied and I will search her room.”
“Thank you. I knew I could depend on you. Lady Rose and Lady Polly will be there.”
♦
The same morning, Rose visited Daisy. “Where’s your husband?” she asked.
“Becket’s gone out to buy me some fruit.”
“Do you always call him Becket? What is his first name?”
“Reginald. I’m worried, Rose.”
“The doctors say you will soon be restored to complete health.”
“It’s not that. Becket has found an apartment for us in Bloomsbury. He says it is very fine, three bedrooms. But I am to be the lady of the house. I am not to do any outside work at all. Rose, I will die of boredom.”
“I am sure he can be persuaded to let you do something.”
“I don’t think so. He’s become all masterful. You will do this, Daisy, and you will do that. I’m afraid I don’t love him any more.” A tear slid down Daisy’s cheek.
Rose took her hand. “You are still suffering from shock. Once you get on your feet again, you will see things differently.”
But when she left the hospital, Daisy’s words rang like a dirge in her ears. “I’m afraid I don’t love him any more.” For Rose was seriously beginning to wonder if she loved Harry. She found herself thinking more and more about Roger. He was as fair as Harry was dark. He had none of Harry’s brooding good looks. He was sunny and uncomplicated and he made it plain he thought she was wonderful.
Rose knew that unless her intentions were honourable, then she should not continue to see him.
♦
When she arrived with her mother at Lady Glensheil’s that afternoon, it was to find Harry was there. Her heart gave a lurch. Then, without even looking at her, he put down his teacup, muttered an excuse and left the room.
Rose’s face flamed with humiliation. She could see some of the debutantes glancing at her in a sly way and then whispering to one another behind their fans.
And then a welcome voice in her ear said, “What a delight to see you again so soon.”
Roger stood smiling down at her. “You did not mention at luncheon that you would be here.”
“Mama handles my social engagements. I did not even know until this afternoon that I was invited.”
Roger fetched a chair and sat down next to her. Now the debutantes were scowling and Rose experienced a little stab of triumph.
♦
Harry found the lady’s maid’s room by studying the sketch of the house that Lady Glensheil had given him. Most of the servants were on duty at the tea party or in the kitchens, and so the upper part of the house was quiet. He tried the door. It was locked. Thankful that he had brought his lock picks with him, he got to work.
At last he got the door open and went inside. He began to search diligently, opening drawers, searching in the wardrobe and under the mattress. He could not find any jewels. The lady’s maid had a jewel box but it only contained a few trinkets.
He lifted the rug and checked the floorboards but they looked as if they had lain undisturbed for years.
He sat down in an upright chair by the window and looked carefully around.
♦
Downstairs, Lady Glensheil said sharply, “Where are you going?”
“I am going to my room to collect something, my lady.”
“You will stay where you are until I give you permission to leave.”
♦
Upstairs, still in the lady’s maid’s room, Harry noticed a small strand of thread by the window. He got up and lifted one of the thick lined curtains, weighing it in his hand. He then went to the worktable and took out a pair of scissors. He deftly unpicked the deep hem of one curtain and shook it. An emerald necklace dropped to the floor, followed by a diamond brooch. He rapidly unpicked the hem of the other curtain and found a cameo brooch, an amethyst ring and a pearl bracelet.
He went rapidly downstairs to the hall and phoned Scotland Yard and left a message for Kerridge. Then he went to join Lady Glensheil. “You were right,” he whispered. “Get a couple of your men to lock her up until the police arrive.”
Lady Glensheil signalled to a hovering footman. “I want two of you to take Thomson here and lock her up until the police arrive. Not in her room. The library will do.”
Thomson jumped to her feet. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“You are a thief,” Lady Glensheil said coldly. “Take her away.”