Kitty squeezed Maggie’s hand encouragingly then and promised, ‘I shall be in touch very soon, hopefully with a long-term solution to your problems, but in the meantime, I’m sure Arthur’s mother will look after you.’

‘Thank you,’ Maggie replied in a choky voice then she marched purposefully towards the gate before she burst into tears at this unexpected kindness.

Once they were gone, Kitty turned and went to get tidied up before dinner.

The three women were enjoying dessert – a delicious apple turnover served with thick cream – when Kitty asked casually, ‘Do you still think I may need a maid, Aunt?’

Ruby looked mildly surprised. Kitty had always seemed so averse to the idea whenever it had been mentioned before.

‘I do, as it happens,’ she answered as she served herself with second helpings, making Miss Fox sniff with disapproval. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Well …’ Kitty chose her words carefully. ‘I just happened to bump into an old friend of mine earlier today when I was out walking. She’s recently moved to London and is looking for a job – and I think she’d be perfect for me.’

‘Has she had experience of being a lady’s maid?’

‘Not exactly,’ Kitty answered cautiously. ‘But we get on famously and she’s a very quick learner. I think I would feel more comfortable with someone I know rather than a stranger.’

‘Hmm … I dare say that’s a point,’ Ruby conceded. After Kitty’s success the night before, pound signs were flashing in front of her eyes, and she was keen to keep the girl happy.

‘Would this friend of yours want to live in? It would be preferable.’

‘I think she’d agree to that – if there’s a spare room for her, that is,’ Kitty answered, trying to conceal her delight. This was turning out to be a lot easier than she had anticipated.

‘There is one empty room as it happens, up in the servants’ quarters, so why don’t you bring her along to meet me?’ Ruby suggested. ‘We can discuss her wages and time off, et cetera, then.’

Kitty beamed. ‘When would be best for you?’

‘Not tomorrow because we’re going shopping with Max to get you another new outfit,’ Ruby reminded her. ‘But I could see her the day after. Not too early though. Shall we say at three o’clock in the afternoon?’ Then suddenly remembering something, she reached into the pocket of her gown and pushed a one-pound note across the table to Kitty. ‘Your fee for last night,’ she told her.

Kitty was silent with amazement, although Miss Fox grimaced. ‘Is that all she earned? One pound?’

Ruby pouted. ‘Now, Foxy, don’t get interfering in that side of things. Max, as her agent, has to take his share – and then there are expenses, not to mention the money we need to spend on clothes for her until she has a decent selection of stage outfits in her wardrobe. They don’t come cheap, as you well know.’