Arabella seemed to have forgotten the main reason for the ball and had convinced herself that it was a genuine introduction to the society that she longed to embrace. Lady Lyndon had been let into the secret and she was eager to get the whole thing over and done with, while Annie was quietly supportive. Kate worked hard to make sure that everything went to plan, leaving Perry to liaise with the police. There was nothing more she could do now but hope that Monks would be unable to resist the temptation of easy pickings.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Everything was ready. Kate was dressed in a ball gown of ivory satin over a wide crinoline. The low-cut décolletage was framed by a waterfall of Honiton lace and the sleeves were trimmed with glistening glass bugle beads that caught the light every time she moved. Ivy had put Kate’s hair up in a coronet of curls interspersed with loops of pearls, but despite the grandeur of her gown, Kate’s mind was not on her own appearance. Her one thought was for the ball to be a success in bringing about the capture and arrest of Monks and his gang. She had only met him twice, but she knew she would recognise him the moment she set eyes on him. She was excited but she was also apprehensive. So many things could go wrong, but at least the house in Berkeley Square was a wonderful setting for such an occasion. She had been there since early morning, supervising everything down to the smallest detail in order that her mother could enjoy being hostess without the worry it entailed. The drama that was to unfold would make Arabella’s debut in society memorable, even if for the wrong reasons.

Kate walked the length of the ballroom with its highly polished wooden floor surrounded by tables set with pristine white damask cloths, gleaming silverware and cut-crystal glasses that winked and shone in the light from sparkling chandeliers. Everything was perfect, from the exquisite floral arrangements that filled the air with their exotic perfume to the musicians from the newly arrived orchestra, who were just tuning their instruments. Kate made her way to the supper room and was dazzled by the array of delicious dishes set out on long tables. The aroma was so tempting that at any other time it would have made her mouth water, but tonight she had no appetite. It felt as if her whole life was dangling on a thread as fine as the silk from a spider’s web. She turned with a start at the sound of a familiar voice calling her name.

‘Kate.’

‘Harry! What are you doing?’ Kate glanced round to see if any of the servants were looking, but fortunately they were being harried by Giles’s butler as they added the final touches to the banquet. ‘You mustn’t be seen.’