Kate arrived at the front entrance just as Tilly opened the door. Perry handed the reins to Bob, who was in his shirtsleeves, despite the bitter weather. ‘Take good care of Tarquin and there’s half a crown in it when I leave.’ Perry took the steps two at a time, bringing a flurry of snow with him as he stepped into the hall. ‘I thought I wasn’t going to make it for a while. There was quite a blizzard as I crossed the marshes.’ He shrugged off his greatcoat and handed it to Tilly, together with his hat and gloves. ‘Kate, this is wonderful. I wasn’t sure if you’d be here.’ He grasped her hand and held it tightly. ‘You’re back safe and sound.’

‘And Annie is waiting for you in the drawing room.’ Kate nodded to Tilly, who was eyeing them both expectantly. ‘That will be all, for now, Tilly.’ Kate tucked her hand in the crook of Perry’s arm. ‘I want a word with you before we join them, Perry.’

He gave her a quizzical smile. ‘That sounds ominous.’

‘No, it’s just a matter of common sense and decency, if it comes to that.’

‘Are you asking me if my intentions towards Annie are honourable?’

‘Yes, I suppose I am. I’m very fond of her and she has no one to stand up for her, unless you count Joe, but he’s so wrapped up in his own affairs that he’s unlikely to even think of challenging you.’

‘A challenge?’ Perry’s hazel eyes twinkled with amusement. ‘Come, Kate. You know me better than most people. I was honest about my feelings for Annie from the start, or are you telling me that she has had a change of heart?’

‘No, not at all. She adores you, Perry, and she’s a thoroughly decent person. Don’t break her heart.’

‘I’ve no intention of doing anything of the sort. I love her, Kate. My feelings for her have deepened during our time apart and I intend to marry her, if she’ll have me.’

Kate reached up to kiss him on the cheek. ‘That’s wonderful, but now you can tell me what I want to know.’

He met her gaze with a candid look. ‘If it’s Monks you’re asking about, I’m afraid the answer is that he’s still a problem. As you probably remember, he went into hiding south of the river and he’s managed to evade captivity even now.’

‘That’s what worries me. Harry insisted that he had business in town, and I know exactly what that would be. He’ll have gone after Monks on his own and I fear for his safety.’

‘I was hoping he wouldn’t do that. If he went straight to the police they will have told him to leave Monks to them.’