‘If you say so, miss. But I don’t think Lady Martin will approve.’

‘My mother has gone for a drive with Mr Pomeroy-Smith. By the time she returns I’ll have Mr Spears looking and smelling like a gentleman.’

‘Better tell him to keep his mouth shut, then,’ Mrs Marsh said, tossing her head. ‘I’ll see to it, miss. But if your mama creates a fuss, I won’t take the blame.’

‘Don’t worry. It’s my responsibility.’ Kate moved away to where Spears was standing awkwardly at the foot of the staircase. ‘Come with me. I’ll take you where it’s quiet and you can have a bath in peace, while I look for some suitable clothes for you to wear. You’re about the same size as my late father.’

Spears rolled his eyes. ‘I dunno about wearing a dead man’s clothes.’

‘He’s hardly likely to complain, is he?’ Kate gave him a gentle shove towards the bottom step. ‘Think of a life free from Monks and then you’ll see the benefit of what you’re about to do.’

Spears was still protesting when she settled him in her father’s old dressing room where Lizzie had already begun to fill a tin bathtub with hot water. She scurried from the room, taking the two large ewers with her.

‘I want you to sit there, Spears.’ Kate pointed to a nearby chair. ‘It will take a while to fill the bath. Our old footman has just been reinstated and he’ll give you a hand to wash and shave.’

‘I ain’t a baby,’ Spears protested.

‘No, of course not, but you will need someone to shave off that awful beard, and Henry will trim your hair. We’ll have you looking like a gentleman before you know it.’

‘I don’t want that young girl ogling me in the tub.’

‘I’m sure that’s the last thing Lizzie wants. She won’t be there to watch you, and neither will I. Just remember that this is all about finding Harry and bringing him here without Monks’ men recognising you. Your life might depend upon this, Spears.’

‘It’s all right for you to try to change me life for me, miss.’ Spears eyed her suspiciously. ‘But what happens when I’ve done me bit and I’m no use to you or Harry?’

Kate moved to stand in the doorway. ‘Maybe you’d enjoy living in the country, Augustus. I might even have a person in mind who is in need of an old soldier. That is how you started out in life, isn’t it?’

‘Who told you that?’

‘You did, Augustus. The first time we met you told me you’d been a soldier in Her Majesty’s army. I’ll see you when you’re finished here.’ Kate left the room before Spears had a chance to argue.