‘Oh, my goodness,’ she said with her mouth full of pie. ‘That’s my papa. What shall I do now, Jenny? He’ll have a fit if he knows I’ve been to the market.’

‘Run,’ Jenny said, laughing. ‘Run as fast as you can.’

Chapter Two

Kate needed no further encouragement, but she was hindered by her voluminous skirts, and her tight stays made it almost impossible to catch her breath. The heavy basket of groceries also impeded her movements, and she was in danger of losing the contents. It seemed for a moment as if they had escaped, but as they emerged into the Strand, Kate found her father’s junior partner barring her way.

‘Good morning, Kate.’ Peregrine Harte stood before them, looking impressive with his black gown blowing in the wind like a raven’s wings and his white wig covering his hair. ‘Your father would like to speak to you.’

‘Good morning, Perry.’ Kate eyed him curiously. She had known Perry when he started pupillage in her father’s practice, and she was not going to be intimidated by the barrister’s wig and gown. ‘You may tell my father that his request for a certain dinner menu necessitated a trip to the market, and I’m on my way home.’

‘I’m merely the messenger,’ Peregrine said with a wry smile.

‘Then you’ve said your piece. Please let me pass.’

He backed away. ‘I’ll tell Sir Bartholomew that his dinner tonight depends upon your getting the ingredients back to the kitchen.’

Kate met his amused gaze with a reluctant smile. ‘It would be simpler if you said you couldn’t catch up with me. My father will cross-examine you until you enter a plea of guilty.’

‘Ah, but I have had three years at the bar since you and I last met. I will stand my ground.’

‘I’m sure you will,’ Kate said automatically. ‘Come, Jenny. I think we’d better hail a cab or Cook will be sending out a search party.’

Perry stepped into the road and raised his hand to attract a cabby’s attention. ‘I hope we meet again soon, Kate, but in more relaxed circumstances.’ He strode off in the direction of the court building.

The cab drew to a halt at the kerb and Kate climbed in first, giving the cabby instructions to take them to Finsbury Square, and with a flick of his whip the vehicle moved off, barely allowing Jenny time to settle herself on the seat. Kate sat in silence as they travelled through the streets that had once been so familiar to her.

‘Is that man in a wig your friend, Miss Kate?’ Jenny broke the silence, causing Kate to turn to her with a start.