‘It’s just another example of the Monks gang doing everything they can to make life difficult for anyone connected to Harry. The building he owns in Cable Street, where I’ve been running a soup kitchen, has been burned down.’

‘What are you saying, Kate?’ Lady Lyndon sat bolt upright. ‘What has this to do with me?’

‘Lady Lyndon, the time has passed for being too polite and tactful. The truth is that your son was the leader of a gang who ran illegal gaming clubs. Now, I believe there are mitigating circumstances, but that doesn’t matter now. The facts are that Harry’s internment has left a number of people exposed to the wrath of a ruthless villain called Monks.’

‘How frightening.’ Lady Lyndon reached for a bottle of smelling salts and held it under her nose. She sniffed, coughed and dabbed her watering eyes with a hanky. ‘Tell me everything.’

‘That’s the sum of it so far, but the woman who has been helping me to run the charity has been threatened by the gang. Her husband is in prison for theft, but she does not deserve to suffer, nor do her young children.’

‘Why are you telling us this, Kate?’ Lady Lyndon replaced the small brown bottle on the drum table at the side of the sofa. ‘What can I do to help them?’

‘I’d like to take Ivy and her children to Warren House. I know it’s what Harry would suggest, and it’s only temporary until I can find them somewhere else to live.’

‘By all means,’ Lady Lyndon said, smiling. ‘I wouldn’t want the poor woman and her little ones on my conscience, but that means there would not be room for myself and Annie. We will be able to stay here with a clear conscience.’

‘I’m afraid you might be next, Lady Lyndon.’ Kate laid her hand on Annie’s shoulder. ‘You’re both in danger and the obvious solution is for you to go to Warren House, too. It’s large enough and you would be safe.’

‘Perhaps you should give it some thought, Aunt Margaret,’ Annie said softly. ‘Kate is telling the truth and I can vouch for the fact that people in Whitechapel are terrified of Monks and his men.’

‘I want to see Harry,’ Lady Lyndon said, frowning. ‘I’ll only make the move to Walthamstow if he tells me so himself.’

‘Very well.’ Kate knew when she was beaten. ‘I’ll arrange it as soon as possible.’

‘Harry won’t make me do anything I don’t wish to,’ Lady Lyndon said smugly. ‘In the meantime you are welcome to take your friend and her children to Walthamstow. Perhaps you would like to accompany them, Annie?’