‘I can’t wait to be with Aunt Margaret and the children,’ Annie said, smiling. ‘I’ve missed them all.’

‘We’ll have to move on sooner or later. We can’t stay at Warren House for ever, Annie.’ Joseph stared gloomily out of the rain and mud-spattered window. ‘Harry said it wasn’t safe for Aunt Margaret to return to Finsbury Circus, but you and I will have to rent rooms somewhere else.’

‘Aunt Margaret made it very clear that she wanted us to live with her,’ Annie protested. ‘She’s getting on in years, Joe. We can’t abandon her. Besides which, we haven’t any money now that you’ve left the army, and I can’t earn enough to keep us both.’

Kate threw up her hands. ‘What a miserable party we are, to be sure. There’s no question of either of you having to leave Warren House. Heaven knows, it’s big enough for all of us, and Lady Lyndon is the most hospitable person I know.’

‘Harry won’t throw us out,’ Annie insisted, pouting. ‘You will have to grow stronger, Joe. The country air will do you good.’

‘We might as well face facts, Annie,’ Joe said with a heavy sigh. ‘I’m a cripple and no use to anyone. I’ve no profession and the best I could hope for is a poorly paid clerk’s position in the city.’

‘Joe, it’s nearly Christmas.’ Kate reached across Annie to pat Joe on the hand. ‘Do please cheer up. I’m sure you’ll find something better than that. Maybe Perry can help.’

‘I don’t want to be beholden to him. He wouldn’t want to be saddled with a crippled brother-in-law, as well as a blind wife.’

Kate slapped his hand. ‘That’s uncalled for, Joe. And it’s unkind.’

‘How can you say things like that, Joe?’ Annie said tearfully. ‘Perry hasn’t asked me to marry him. We’ve been away for months and he might have changed his mind or met someone else. And I’m not a burden.’

Joe wrapped his arms around his sister. ‘I’m sorry, Annie. I don’t know what made me say that. I didn’t mean it. Any man would be lucky to have you for a wife.’