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Baines had posted at Lady Eva’s door. She’d have expected people to stand about discussing the horror in their midst.
    â€œWhere is everyone?” she asked the footman.
    â€œGone to dress, ma’am.”
    â€œOh, of course.” Thoroughly chilled by now, Daisy was tempted to go and put on something warm. But, assuming no one had yet enlightened Lucy, she wanted to be the one to break the news.
    She tapped on Lucy’s door.
    â€œWho is it?” Lucy sounded apprehensive.
    â€œJust me, darling.” Daisy went in. Lucy was still in bed, her face
naked and vulnerable without the light make-up she wore even in the country. “Didn’t you hear all that racket a bit ago?”
    â€œYes. I stuck my head under the pillow till it went away. You look frozen. Here, have my counterpane.”
    Wrapping herself up, Daisy settled at the foot of the bed. “Didn’t you wonder what it was all about?”
    â€œI assumed one of the maids had seen a spider, or something of the sort. I wasn’t frightfully interested. But I expect you’re going to tell me.” Both words and tone were flippant, but Daisy knew her friend very well and saw her brace herself for bad news.
    â€œIt’s very bad.”
    â€œDarling, I can tell that from your face. Spit it out.”
    â€œIt’s your great-aunt.”
    â€œPoor old Aunt Eva. She died in the night? What was it, heart attack?”
    â€œIt’s worse than that, I’m afraid. Someone killed her.”
    â€œOh, Daisy, no!”
    Daisy nodded. “The police are on their way.”
    â€œAlec’s coming?” Lucy asked hopefully.
    â€œNo, the local chaps. Alec can’t butt in without an invitation.”
    â€œThen we’ll just have to get him invited.” Lucy started to scramble out of bed. “I’ll talk to Grandfather.”
    â€œNot so fast! For a start, as far as I know, no one has broken the news to Lord Haverhill yet. Do you want to be the one?”
    â€œGosh, no! I should think Timmy’s the one for that, being the only clergyman in the family. Does he know?”
    â€œYes, both he and Nancy turned out. I think they’re dressing. Your great-uncle was there too. He seemed pretty shaken.”
    â€œHe and Aunt Eva are … were thick as thieves. I can hardly believe she’s gone, Daisy. She was years younger than Grandfather and always so full of pep. Uncle Montagu must be devastated.”
    â€œHe seemed pretty cut up.”
    â€œGoodness knows how Uncle Aubrey will take it. The shock’s
bound to be bad for his heart, don’t you think? Timmy will have to tell him, as well.”
    â€œI wonder if I should go and suggest that he’s the man for the job,” Daisy said reluctantly.
    â€œI’d better. My brother—my family—and you’re not dressed either. Wait here.”
    Lucy slipped on a peacock silk kimono and her slippers and hurried out. She was much too matter-of-fact, Daisy thought, as if she hadn’t really taken in the fact of murder. When it hit her, already ruffled as she was by the wedding preparations, it could be the last straw. Daisy had never seen Lucy distraught, and she didn’t want to.
    No more than a couple of minutes passed before Lucy returned. “I hope you don’t mind, darling, I rather implied you were falling apart and in need of my succour.”
    â€œRotter!”
    â€œI’d never have got away, else. You know how Timmy bores on. But he’s agreed to go and break it to Grandfather and Uncle Aubrey.”
    â€œWhat about Sir James?”
    â€œHeavens, I’d forgotten him! It’s his mother who’s been done in. Daisy, are you really quite certain she didn’t just die naturally?”
    That irreverent refrain from The Gondoliers passed unwanted through Daisy’s mind: No probable, possible shadow of doubt … “Quite certain,” she said. “But even if it was