Kate walked back to Warren House, and although no one else spoke to her, she was aware of curious stares and the fluttering of curtains in the neat row of alms houses. In London it was rare for anyone to show interest in the business of their neighbours. Even so, Kate was amused to be the centre of attention. Martha, on the other hand, pursed her lips and denounced the entire village as a bunch of busybodies. However, she was pleased with the contents of the shopping basket and she studied the bill, frowning when she came to the total.

‘Ruggles knows how to charge for things,’ she said tersely. ‘But he has the only shop for miles, so we have no alternative.’

Kate turned to Jenny, who was peeling potatoes with a pained expression on her face.

‘Did my mother eat her breakfast?’

Jenny nodded. ‘Yes, I collected her tray about half an hour ago and she’d eaten everything, so she must be feeling better.’

‘Did she get up and dress?’

‘No. She said she wanted to rest.’

‘That’s not good. I’ll go up and see her.’ Kate left the kitchen and made her way upstairs. She found her mother still in bed, propped up on a pile of pillows. ‘Do you intend to stay in bed all day, Mama?’

‘Don’t speak to me like that, Kate. I deserve some respect.’

‘Of course you do, but lying around all day won’t help.’ Kate picked up her mother’s wrap and handed it to her. ‘Now, why don’t you get out of bed and I’ll send Jenny up with some warm water so that you can have a wash. Get dressed and come downstairs. It’s a lovely day.’ Kate walked over to the window and threw it open. She could see the older children racing around in the long grass while Polly and Emma sat on the balustrade making daisy chains. ‘The garden could be beautiful if the old man who looks after it has some help. I could hire some strong fellows to cut the grass and attend to the flowerbeds.’

‘I don’t know why you’re bothering, Kate.’ Arabella rose reluctantly from her bed. ‘Ring for Jenny. I will wash and come downstairs if it means so much to you, but I don’t want you wasting your money on paying for gardeners or cleaning women. We’re going home.’

Kate turned to face her mother. ‘Do you really want to risk that dreadful man breaking into our house again?’

‘No, but I don’t see why I have to put up with Lady Lyndon and that girl who plays dreadful tunes on her concertina, let alone be pestered by all those children.’

‘I’m sure that Lady Lyndon would rather be in her lovely home, too. But we’re all in danger if we return to London.’