‘No, my love, they won’t, but if I don’t return word is sure to get back to Monks and he’ll be on the alert. He’s not stupid, Kate. I don’t want to leave you, but I must. For now, anyway.’

She nodded. ‘All right. I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t like it, Harry. As you said, one slip and they won’t have any mercy. Spears has told me something of the way they treat people who cross them. It’s not pretty.’

Harry took her in his arms and kissed her. ‘Don’t worry about me, my darling. I can take care of myself. I just want you to be safe.’ He left through the servants’ entrance and Kate made her way slowly to her room. As she undressed and slipped her nightgown over her head her whole body ached for more of his caresses. The touch of his lips on hers still very real, and she realised how much she missed the intimacy they had shared on board ship. The ball was only a week away and yet it felt like an eternity of waiting and worrying. It would be a relief to leave London and spend a day or two in Warren House, but at the back of her mind was the nagging fear that if Monks had any suspicion that he was being led into a trap it would be the worse for Harry. She climbed into her cold bed, and lay shivering as the dark night wrapped itself around her. Eventually she fell into a fitful sleep.

Spears was not the most cheerful travelling companion. He grumbled all the way to Warren House and Kate could not wait to alight from the carriage. They were greeted by Frankie, May and Nellie, who appeared as if from nowhere.

‘Mr Spears,’ Frankie said, grinning, ‘you look like a proper toff. What are you doing here?’

‘Have you come to stay?’ Nellie asked shyly.

‘Not if you youngsters persist in asking questions. Ain’t you supposed to be in school?’

Frankie grinned cheekily. ‘We come to the big house every morning. Tilly gives us cake, but don’t tell Ma.’ He winked and raced off towards the road, with May and Nellie chasing after him.

Spears followed Kate into the house. ‘You don’t want me to look after them nippers, do you? If that’s the case I’ll be on me way back to London. I prefer Monks’ men to them kids.’