Sir Robert took Annie by the hand and raised her to her feet. ‘She’ll get over it, my dear. Agatha Ogilvy loves putting me in the wrong – it’s her sole purpose in life, or so she thinks. We can talk more over dinner, and my carriage will be at your disposal tomorrow to take you to the hospital. I’ll make enquiries with regard to your brother’s repatriation on medical grounds.’

‘I’d be so grateful if you would, Sir Robert,’ Annie said eagerly. ‘Surely the East India Company Army won’t want to keep him on in his condition?’

‘Their army has been nationalised by the British Army, so they have no say in what happens to Joseph, but we’ll need to get everything done properly, and that will be my pleasure, so don’t worry about a thing, Annie. Let’s go to the dining room and enjoy a convivial meal. I rarely have the pleasure of the company of such lovely ladies.’

Next day they arrived at the hospital during the appointed hours, although as Kate had realised the day before, there were few enough visitors. She was aware of envious glances from the other patients as she and Annie walked to the end of the ward. Joseph was propped up on pillows and his pleasure on seeing his sister was obvious. Tears ran down his cheeks as he hugged her, and Annie sobbed unrestrainedly. Kate pulled up a chair and sat down, waiting for them to compose themselves, and eventually it was Annie who drew away first.

‘You’re so thin, Joe.’ Annie’s voice broke on a fresh sob.

‘And you never have a hanky,’ Joseph added, chuckling. ‘Don’t you dare wipe your eyes on the bed sheet or Sister Hayward will have a fit.’

This made Annie laugh and she accepted a handkerchief from Kate, who had come prepared. ‘I can’t believe that a brave soldier like you is afraid of a nurse.’

‘Believe me, Annie, all the men in this ward are terrified of her. What Sister Hayward says goes.’

‘You’re looking a lot better today, Joe,’ Kate said, smiling. ‘Sir Robert is going to contact the military authorities about your repatriation.’

‘Really?’ Joe’s eyes lit up and his thin cheeks creased in a wide grin. ‘That would be wonderful. I can’t wait to get back to London.’ He grasped his sister’s hand and raised it to his cheek. ‘Where have you been living? I hope Aunt Margaret has been looking after you.’

Annie’s lips trembled. ‘I’m ashamed to say that I refused her help at the start, Joe. I suppose I was too proud to accept anything from Mama’s family since they disowned her after she married Pa.’

Kate was suddenly alert. ‘You never mentioned that before, Annie. I thought you had to support yourself.’