Kate was about to refuse on the grounds that she would not have any transport for her return journey to Finsbury Square, when she heard someone calling her name and Jenny rushed past a startled footman, who had been standing by the open front door.

‘I thought I might catch you here, miss,’ Jenny said breathlessly. ‘You’re wanted at home urgently.’

‘What’s happened?’ Kate grasped Jenny’s hand. ‘Calm down and tell me what’s wrong.’

‘It’s your father, miss. He’s taken a turn for the worst.’

‘I’ll come immediately. Get in the carriage, Jenny.’ Kate turned to Lady Lyndon. ‘I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t come with you.’

‘That’s quite all right, my dear. Your family come first, but I hope you’ll join us soon. If it’s unsafe for Annie and myself to remain in London, then it must be doubly so as far as you’re concerned.’

‘I can’t think about that now.’ Kate laid her hand on Annie’s shoulder. ‘I’ll come to Walthamstow as soon as possible.’

‘I hope your pa recovers soon,’ Annie said softly.

Kate hurried from the house and climbed into the carriage. ‘What happened, Jenny?’

‘Fellowes found him unconscious in his bed, miss. The doctor was sent for and he was with Sir Bartholomew when I left the house. Your ma told me to find you, and I just hoped you might still be here with Lady Lyndon.’

‘Another few minutes and I might have left with them for Walthamstow.’ Kate sank back against the padded leather squabs. ‘I’ve been so busy with the soup kitchen and trying to help Ivy and her family that I fear I’ve neglected Pa since his illness. I’ll never forgive myself if he dies thinking I don’t care about him.’

‘I’m sure he don’t think nothing of the sort, miss.’

Kate had no answer for this and she sat in silence during the short drive to Finsbury Square.

Henry opened the door, his expression grave.

‘Is the doctor with my father, Henry?’ Kate asked anxiously.

‘I believe the doctor is with Lady Martin in the drawing room, Miss Kate.’

Kate took off her bonnet and handed it to Jenny, together with her shawl. ‘I’ll be in the drawing room,’ she said hastily.

The sight of her mother in tears and Sir Jasper Fey standing with his back to the fireplace confirmed Kate’s worst fears.

‘Mama?’

Arabella looked up, tears coursing down her pale cheeks. ‘It’s all your fault, Kate. I blame you for your father’s condition. Your stubbornness contributed to his illness, of that I’m certain, and now he’s dead. Where were you when I needed you?’ A fresh bout of sobbing put an end to the tirade and she covered her face with her hands.