Kate immediately recognised the large man with the scarred face, who was obviously terrifying Arabella. Her face was ashen and her eyes wide and staring as she sat upright in her chair, seemingly too scared to move.

‘So you’ve come home at last, miss. Allow me to introduce meself.’

‘What are you doing here, Monks?’ Kate said angrily.

‘You’re a bold one and no mistake. I come here to give you a friendly warning.’

‘You’re frightening my mother. Say what you have to say and go.’

‘Not very hospitable, are you, love?’ Monks pulled up a chair and sat down, causing the cabriole legs to bow beneath his considerable weight.

‘What do you want with us?’ Kate demanded. ‘This is a house of mourning, as you will have noticed.’

‘I can’t say I’m sorry for your loss. Your pa was responsible for me going to prison in the first place. He was the prosecuting counsel and I was little more than a boy. It’s too late to settle the score with him, but I ain’t fussy. You two will do.’

‘My husband is dead.’ Arabella’s voice shook with emotion. ‘You must have broken the law to have been in the dock.’

Monks curled his lip. ‘That’s all you know, lady. Kindly keep your trap shut. I weren’t speaking to you.’ He jerked his head in Kate’s direction. ‘She’s the one with the brains, but she’s been consorting with my sworn enemy. I know what Trader is up to and you can tell him to leave well alone if he wants to see your pretty face again.’

‘You’re wrong,’ Kate said furiously. ‘Harry Trader is in Newgate Prison – what harm can he do you from there? Or is it easier for you to make war on helpless women?’

Monks leaped to his feet. ‘One more word from you and you’ll feel the back of me hand, miss. You will do as I say if you don’t want to end up in the cemetery with your pa. And that goes for her ladyship over there as well.’ He pointed to Arabella, who shrank back on her chair, closing her eyes.

‘Say what you have to say.’ Kate managed to keep her voice calm, but inwardly she was quaking.

‘You’ll tell Trader to leave off. I know what he’s up to. He’s a snitch and I reckon he’s done a deal with one of the high-ups – the sort what patronises Trader’s illegal gaming houses. If he doesn’t do what I say it’ll be you and your ma who’ll suffer.’ Monks paused, glaring first at Arabella and then at Kate. ‘But I suspect he’s too much of a gent to let that happen. D’you understand me, girl?’

‘Say yes, Kate,’ Arabella cried faintly. ‘Say anything to get him out of the house.’