‘I see.’ Lady Lyndon sat for a moment with her hands neatly folded in her lap. Then she looked up, meeting Kate’s earnest gaze with a lift of her chin. ‘Heaven knows, the Lyndon family has weathered scandal after scandal over the past two centuries. I’ll go to Walthamstow, but only if Harry promises that he will appeal against his sentence. I don’t care what people say about us, I want my son back.’ She looked up as the door opened and Agnes entered, bobbing a curtsey.

‘You rang, my lady?’

‘Yes, Agnes. We’ll have tea and cake for the three of us.’

Kate shook her head. ‘Thank you, but I’d better go now, Lady Lyndon. I need to ensure that the soup kitchen is running smoothly.’

‘Of course, my dear. You may see Miss Martin out, Agnes. Then bring the tea, and please tell Cook that Miss Blythe will be staying with us. You’d better advise Mrs Fulton so that she can make the rose guest room ready.’

Kate leaned over to brush Annie’s cheek with a kiss. ‘I’ll be back soon, Annie,’ she whispered. ‘In the meantime, please do your best to persuade Lady Lyndon to make the move to Walthamstow.’

‘I’ll try but I can’t promise anything. Her ladyship has a mind of her own.’

‘I’ll go now, but don’t let her ladyship go out unattended. If you need someone to help you bring your things here, our footman will be glad to be of service.’

Annie nodded and smiled.

‘What are you two plotting?’ Lady Lyndon demanded. ‘I don’t like being kept in the dark.’

‘It was simply about bringing my belongings here, Aunt Margaret,’ Annie said glibly. ‘I hope I’m not putting you to any trouble by coming to stay.’

Kate left the room, closing the door behind her. With Annie on her side she might just succeed in persuading Lady Lyndon to move to Warren House, where she would undoubtedly meet her match in Martha Boggis.

Kate left the house, stepping out into the heat of midday. She unfurled her parasol and set off in the direction of Finsbury Square, intending to call in at home before going to Cable Street. The sun blazed down from a cloudless sky and she could feel the heat from the pavement through the soles of her boots. Dust hung in the air, settling on the leaves of the London plane trees, dulling their greenness to pale grey. The smell of effluent made Kate cover her nose and mouth with her handkerchief. At this moment Walthamstow seemed like heaven on earth and Kate had a sudden longing for the peace and freshness of the countryside.