Philomena often bit her lip to hold back laughter as the Duchesses and their spoilt daughters fussed over the most sophisticated shade of puce for ribbons, the superiority of Nottingham over Brussels lace or the latest designs.

Today, a burst of sunshine had tempted Philomena out of her rooms. The fog had lifted for once, leaving the skyline sharp all the way to St. Pauls. Philomena gazed longingly out of the window. It was a lovely day. How beautiful it must be at Thatcham Hall. The sun would dapple the woods where she had run with John and quarrelled with Hugh. She sighed and her eyes filled with tears.

This would not do. Philomena raised her chin and wiped her eyes. She would allow herself a holiday, today. She would go for a walk, enjoy the sunshine, and watch the gentry in their new clothes, showing off to each other.

She soon found herself in Hyde Park, where a crowd of Chartists waved their fists and shouted. She stood well back from the crowd and wondered whether Selena had yet arrived in London to enjoy her first Season.

Thoughts of Selena led naturally to memories of Hugh, so vivid that when Philomena first saw him she believed herself still to be daydreaming. She gasped and stared harder. It was no dream. She would recognise Hugh anywhere. As he stood, one hand on a hip, the other flicking his whip idly, memory took Philomena straight back to those days at Thatcham Hall. Just so had Hugh stood outside the kitchen on Christmas morning, talking to John.

Philomena watched Hugh wade in to break up the fight, calm and authoritative, oblivious to the loss of his hat and so much more dignified than any other man nearby. Fair hair fell over his brow in the untidy manner she loved. Philomena knew she should run but could not persuade her limbs to obey. Instead she remained rooted to the spot, one hand to her mouth in sudden fear as a burly fellow swung a heavy stave towards Hugh.

Hugh turned, parried the blow, grabbed the stave from the man, and shook him by the arm. The attacker shrugged and fell back. Philomena glowed with pride. When the constables arrived, she longed to run to Hugh. She took a step forward, then, coming to her senses, retreated. She must not let her love catch sight of her.

Nothing had changed. If she approached and tried to rekindle their acquaintance, she risked exposing Hugh to insult and derision. Philomena was a humble dressmaker, secretly married to a man with cold green eyes. She was not a suitable acquaintance for Lord Thatcham. The best way to show her love was to keep out of Hugh’s sight and his life.