Kate withdrew her hand, fixing Harry with a stony stare. ‘Is that the only reason? Or have we grown too close during the last four months at sea? Are you afraid to come home with me, Harry? I won’t hold you to any of the wonderful things you’ve said to me during our time together. I realise that being confined for so long in each other’s company can make people say things they don’t mean.’

‘I meant every word I’ve ever said to you, Kate. I love you with all my heart, but our relationship has to end here, at least until I know that Monks is safely out of the way. If we announce our engagement it would mean that you are even more of a target for Monks and his men. It would be like signing your death warrant. You do understand that, don’t you?’

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kate had hardly slept that night, but in the morning she was able to say goodbye to Harry with a brave smile, even though she knew he might be heading into danger. The last four months had been a respite from the real world, but now she knew there were hard truths to face. Warren House had been a perfect hideaway, not too far from London, but not close enough to come under the scrutiny of Monks or any of his remaining gang. As she sat in the hackney carriage with Annie and Joe, Kate was reminded of the last time she had returned from India, and had faced the reality of the East End streets, the poverty, the filth and the industry that polluted the very air she breathed. The world seemed to have lost all its colour in the black and grey of an English winter, compared to the blaze of sun and brilliance of Bombay.

‘Kate, I asked you a question.’ Annie’s voice broke into Kate’s reverie.

‘I’m sorry. What did you say?’

‘I wanted to know if you thought that Perry would come to Warren House for Christmas.’

‘I can’t say. I mean I asked Harry to send him a telegram when we called in at Southampton, but I didn’t think to check.’

‘Oh, well, if Harry said he’d do it I’m sure he wouldn’t let you down. Why isn’t he with us, Kate? I was shocked when he said goodbye at the docks.’

‘He has things to do that don’t concern us, Annie.’ Joseph leaned back in the corner of the cab. ‘How far is it to Warren House? My bones ache already in this damp atmosphere. I’d almost forgotten what an English winter was like.’

‘I suppose it will take an hour or so. The cabby wasn’t too pleased to be taken so far out of town, but I offered him double the fare and that persuaded him.’