‘No, but she will be here later. I have a family who will be staying here for a while. It’s not permanent, but the poor lady has eight children and their father is serving time in prison for theft. He’s not a bad man but he was desperate for money to feed his family.’

‘Stealing is stealing, as far as I’m concerned,’ Martha said, pursing her lips. ‘I don’t hold with robbers, and I don’t like nippers.’

Kate’s heart sank. She had not expected such a reaction – surely all women loved children? She tried again. ‘The Harris youngsters are very well behaved and eager to please. Ivy is a good woman and she’s been working hard to keep the family together, but it’s vital that she and the children leave London for a while.’

‘As I thought,’ Martha said, sniffing. ‘I can smell trouble, miss. No good will come of it.’

‘It’s only temporary, and I’m sure the children will benefit from your high moral standards. They will do their bit to help you and you’ll hardly notice they’re here. After all, there’s plenty of room, and you will have Lady Lyndon and Miss Blythe to take care of, so you’ll have very little to do with the Harris family.’

‘I suppose I haven’t got much choice, but I don’t know what Arthur will say. If her ladyship don’t mind, then who am I to say anything?’

Kate took a heavy purse from her pocket and placed it on the kitchen table. ‘There is money to cover their needs and there will be more when it’s needed.’

Martha weighed the purse in one hand. ‘That feels like a tidy sum, miss.’

‘It should suffice. Anyway, the children have not had breakfast, so I hope you might be able to find something for them. They haven’t eaten since last evening, and even then it would have been a very frugal meal.’

‘Youngsters need good food if they’re to grow and thrive. Luckily I’ve made a big pan of porridge, which would normally last us for days. I might not like children, but I know my duty. Better send them in, miss.’

‘You’re very kind, Martha.’ Kate hurried outside and found Ivy where she had left her.

‘Everything will be fine now, Ivy,’ Kate said cheerfully. ‘Martha Boggis is all right if you know how to treat her. I’ve told her that this is a temporary arrangement, which it is, of course, although I didn’t tell her the real reason for your stay in the country – I think that would have been too much for her to take in. Anyway, I’m sure you can handle Martha and she’ll give you a good breakfast.’

‘Aren’t you staying?’ Ivy asked anxiously.