Mrs Marsh answered Kate’s knock on the door in Finsbury Square. She stood aside to allow Kate to enter, but her gaze was fixed on the garments that Kate had chosen to wear.

‘If I might be so bold, Miss Kate, why are you wearing my daughter’s old clothes?’

Kate slipped off her rain-soaked cloak and handed it to her. ‘I had a private mission to undertake, Mrs Marsh. I didn’t want to be recognised.’

‘Something is still amiss. I know it’s not my place to question my betters, but closing the house and running off to Walthamstow was just the start. I’ve known you since you were a child, and you can’t pull the wool over my eyes. Something bad has happened or is going to happen. I’m glad my Jenny isn’t here.’

Kate laid her hand on Mrs Marsh’s arm. ‘You are part of the family, Mrs Marsh. You’ve always been there to take care of me when my parents were too busy. I owe you an explanation, but it will have to wait until later.’ Kate paused, sniffing the air. ‘Can I smell cigar smoke?’

‘Mr Pomeroy-Smith arrived a couple of hours ago. He’s in the morning parlour with your mother.’

Kate nodded. ‘I’d better change out of these damp clothes and then I’ll let Mama know that I’m home.’

‘If you leave Jenny’s things out I’ll see that they’re laundered and put back in the bag for the missionaries. Unless, of course, you might need them again.’

‘I don’t think so, thank you.’ Kate headed for the staircase. She had no intention of risking such an expedition again. This was the time to take matters into her own hands and Giles’s arrival in Finsbury Square seemed like the answer to the questions that had been buzzing around in her brain since she parted from Harry in Wapping.

Giles rose to his feet when Kate walked into the room.

‘Kate, your mama has been telling me that everything is in hand for our wedding.’

‘Yes, indeed.’ Kate acknowledged her mother with a nod and a smile. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived, Giles.’

‘Where were you, Kate?’ Arabella demanded crossly. ‘You shouldn’t go off like that without a word to me.’

‘I’m sorry, Mama, but I had something very important to undertake.’

Giles went to stand with his back to the fire. ‘Is there anything wrong, Kate?’

The arrival of the new parlourmaid put a stop to conversation while she set the tea tray on a table by the window.

‘You may leave it, thank you, Lizzie.’ Kate went over to the table and poured the tea. ‘Would you like a cup, Mama?’

‘No, thank you. We had coffee after luncheon, which you missed. What have you been up to now? I hope it has nothing to do with that man Monks.’