When Kate entered Warren House later that morning she felt the warmth of home wrap itself around her. Martha fussed over her, insisting that she must have something to eat, while Arthur saw to her luggage. Tilly regaled her with stories about the children’s antics during their parents’ stay in London, while Kate sipped a cup of tea in the kitchen and toyed with a slice of bread and butter. It was Martha who came to Kate’s rescue by sending Tilly off to make the drawing room ready, and then Marie Goodfellow burst into the kitchen, beaming with pleasure.

‘Seth told me you’d come home, miss. He had a bite of food and now he’s gone off to London to fetch Ivy and Ted. Shall I take some hot water to your room? I expect you’d like to wash the dust of the road off and change out of your travelling clothes.’ She bustled into the scullery before Kate had a chance to respond.

‘She wants to be a lady’s maid,’ Martha said in a stage whisper. ‘You could do worse, miss.’

Kate smiled. ‘It’s good to be home, Martha. I’ve really missed your cooking.’

‘Get on with you, miss.’ Martha’s plump cheeks reddened. ‘We was all afraid you’d stay in London.’

‘No, never! This is where I belong.’ Kate rose from the table and made her way to her room, where Marie pounced on her. With boundless energy and good humour Marie helped her to wash and change out of her travel-stained gown.

‘Martha suggests that you might like to have me as your maid, Miss Kate,’ Marie said hopefully. ‘I done well when I looked after her ladyship. You won’t have no cause to complain.’ She took a deep blue merino gown from the clothes press. ‘You look a treat in this colour, miss. It matches your eyes.’

Kate smiled at Marie’s eagerness to please. ‘I dare say you and I will do very well together.’

‘I promise you won’t regret it, miss.’ Marie stood back to admire her handiwork. ‘No doubt you’ll have a gentleman caller before the day is out.’ She tapped the side of her nose. ‘I have the gift of second sight. My grandmother was a gypsy.’

‘Then you know more than I do,’ Kate said tiredly. The excitement and pressure of the past few days was suddenly overwhelming. Harry had promised to come for her, and she could only hope that the young maidservant had given him the note. Perhaps she should have waited for him in London, but the desire to come home had been overwhelming.

Marie took a woollen shawl from the press and wrapped it around Kate’s shoulders. ‘Some fresh air is what you need now, miss, if I may be so bold. It will put the colour back in your cheeks. My grandmother always swore that good country air was the best medicine.’