The empty street faded into blackness beyond the pool of light cast by a gas lamp. She was not being followed, except by the dead that her fevered imagination was raising. The lamp lighter had gone, leaving flickering yellow stars in his wake.

A shadowed figure emerged from an alcove in the wall right beside her. She froze, a scream trapped in her throat, as his bare fingers grazed her gloved hand.

His low and steady voice made her heart leap in her chest.

‘Harriet.’

Chapter 42

‘Silas!’

Her eyes widened and he thought she must be afraid of him, but then she took both his hands in hers, clasping them tightly, peering up into his face. ‘I thought I’d find you at Louisa’s. She wouldn’t tell me where you’d gone. I’m so sorry, Silas. I didn’t know, I didn’t know that you’d be punished like that.’ The words were tumbling out of her, almost too quickly for him to follow. ‘I told them you were innocent. I tried. I went to see the judge to plead on your behalf. Walter was just trying to protect me.’

He laughed gently. ‘Tha does witter on.’ Harriet’s face fell. ‘No, I like it. I missed it. I missed thee, the sound o’ tha voice.’

‘I’ve missed you, too, Silas.’

‘I had a speech planned, for when I next saw thee.’ He examined the pale oval of her face. ‘All I can think about is kissin’ thee again.’

She laughed, nervously. ‘Look where that got us.’

‘It were worth it, though.’

‘Oh, Silas. It’s lovely to see you.’

He bent his head to kiss her, but she jerked away.

‘Tha like a scalded cat.’

‘I’m sorry but we can’t, Silas. I can’t.’ She looked back, at the empty street. ‘And what were you doing, creeping up on me like that?’

‘Aye, well, I can hardly pitch up on tha doorstep, can I?’ He cocked his ear to the rising sound of a factory whistle and a church bell ringing out the hour. ‘I’ve got Mr Gunson’s gig and can take thee ’ome in it, most o’ the way at least. Will tha let me kiss thee first though, before they all turn out?’

As she opened her mouth to protest, he pressed his lips against hers. She stepped back, biting her lip, although their hands were still joined. ‘We shouldn’t do this, Silas. And I am almost home. It would be a very short journey.’ She looked over his shoulder. ‘Where is it?’

‘Tied up at the Horse and Plough. Come wi’ me. Go on.’ He saw that she was wavering. ‘Come an’ sit wi’ me.’

He would have said more, but was drowned out by whistles and bells. Workers spilled out from factories in the surrounding streets, noisy cross waves pushing her body against his. He stood firm, ducking his head to inhale her scent. Fresh, like lemons and oranges.

‘Are tha gunna stand in’t road all day?’ The gruff voice that came from behind reminded Silas of his captors and he flinched and hunched his shoulders, raising both hands into fists. The damaged skin on his back prickled as he twisted his torso to confront the man, who was already gone. His heart was pounding now and he took a deep breath to calm himself.