She was just putting the last touches to the festive dining table when Jenny burst into the room. ‘Lady Lyndon sent me to look for you, miss. It’s getting a bit rowdy out there and someone just broke one of her ladyship’s favourite ornaments.’

‘Oh dear!’ Kate glanced at the dainty ormolu clock on the mantelshelf. ‘I think it’s time we announced that luncheon is served. We’ll get the bride and groom in first and the others can follow.’

‘I’ve laid up an extra table in the morning parlour,’ Jenny said, chuckling. ‘There’ll be a stampede when I tell them that the grub’s up.’

Kate laughed. ‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that. Perhaps we’d better let them come in in groups, so that there isn’t a terrible scramble for the food.’

‘Leave it to me, miss. My pa was a soldier so mustering is in my blood.’

‘Mrs Marsh has never mentioned him,’ Kate said thoughtfully. ‘At least not in my presence.’

‘He was lost to us when I was a nipper.’

‘I’m so sorry, Jenny. Was he killed in action?’

‘No, miss. He run off with a barmaid from Kent.’

Kate was trying to think of something suitable to say when Ivy rushed into the dining room.

‘Things are getting very rowdy, Kate. And I think Mr Harte’s just arrived. I spotted what looked like his chaise pulling up to the front entrance.’

Kate threw up her hands. ‘All right. First things first. Let’s get the bride and groom in here and then the rest of the party. I’ll go and meet Perry at the door.’

Ivy and Jenny hurried off and Kate made her way through the groups of very merry wedding guests to fling the door open. On such an occasion it would have been useful to have Henry here, but they had left him in charge at Finsbury Square. She lifted the latch and opened the door to see Perry leap down from the driver’s seat, followed more slowly by another man.

Perry came bounding up the steps, grinning widely. ‘Look who I’ve brought with me, Kate. This will be the best Christmas present of all.’

Chapter Eighteen

Kate eyed the man warily. He was unshaven, his clothes were those of a working man, and judging by the smell emanating from him, neither he nor his garments were too clean.

‘I know you, don’t I?’ Kate said cautiously.

‘This is my cousin, Ted Harris. I brought him straight here from prison, Kate. He was released this morning, which is why I went to London last evening. I hope you don’t mind.’

Kate glanced at Ted, who was standing behind Perry, looking dishevelled and very wary. She managed a smile. ‘You’re very welcome, Ted. Come inside out of the cold.’

‘Thank you, miss.’ Ted followed Perry into the entrance hall and Kate shut the door.