Jessup out, Daisy decided not to change for dinner. If Alec came home in time, which she rather doubted, he wouldn’t want to change, and a man should be allowed to be comfortable in his own home, when there are no guests. She went back to the sitting room, kicked off her shoes, and curled up in a chair, sipping the remaining half of her vermouth and soda. She had a feeling Mrs. Jessup had said something important, but she simply could not pin it down. She went back over their conversation. As far as she could recall, no new information had emerged. The doorbell rang. “Again!” she groaned aloud. “Who now, for pity’s sake?” It was too early for dinner guests, even if she had expected any, and much too late for anyone else. She heard Elsie come through the baize door and tap-tap along the hall. The fire flickered in the draught under the sitting room door as the front door was opened. Elsie’s voice came to her loud and clear, and firm. “Madam is not receiving.” A murmur of voices.
