Sometimes, during dinner or even when walking on deck, Kate would have to control the urge to chuckle when she came face to face with one of their victims, but the silly stories helped to pass the dull evening hours and were not to be taken seriously. However, Captain Langhorne did walk with a slight limp and Miss Euphemia did have the haunted look of a star-crossed lover. The rest of the journey was quite dull by comparison, and mostly there was nothing to see but miles of ocean. The ship called in at various ports in order to take on fresh water and supplies, but the passengers were not encouraged to disembark, and Kate had no particular wish to prolong their journey. Despite the growing understanding and friendship she shared with Annie, Kate could not help worrying about Harry. At least Joseph’s condition had been reported as stable, but if Harry was suffering from a bout of malaria or the dreaded cholera or typhoid, they might arrive too late. The thought of losing him now was something she pushed to the back of her mind. He had survived gang warfare, imprisonment and the hazardous sea voyage only to be struck down by some dire misfortune that had left him helpless.

The last couple of weeks of their journey seemed endless, but eventually they entered the harbour at Bombay and Kate stood on deck, breathing in the familiar scents and smells of India.

Kate’s first thought was to take a tonga to the home of her late uncle’s lawyer, who had helped her family when they fled from Delhi during the uprising. A group of porters offered their services and, having tipped one handsomely, Kate and Annie waited outside the dock gates for the horse-drawn carriage to take them to Audley House in an exclusive residential district. Sir Robert Audley was not at home, but his housekeeper was too well trained to show her surprise, and she welcomed the travellers as if they were honoured guests.

‘Of course I remember you, Miss Martin,’ Mrs Ogilvy said calmly. ‘It was a terrible time but things are slowly getting back to normal.’

Kate eyed her curiously. ‘You were brave to stay on, considering the circumstances, Mrs Ogilvy. Weren’t you tempted to go home?’

Mrs Ogilvy smiled. ‘This is my home, Miss Martin. I was born in Poona and I met and married my husband there.’

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know that.’

‘Won’t you come into the parlour. I’ll send a servant with lemonade and perhaps you’d like something to eat?’

‘A cool drink would be lovely,’ Kate said with feeling.

Her stays were digging into her flesh and she could feel perspiration trickling down her back in the most inelegant manner. However, Mrs Ogilvy, in her tight-waisted grey poplin gown, looked as cool as the proverbial cucumber.

‘When will Sir Robert be back, Mrs Ogilvy? I need to ask him a favour.’