Kate was tempted to have her evening meal sent to her room, but she decided that would be childish and only cause more of a rift between herself and her mother. Before Kate met Ashok she had never challenged her parents’ authority, but now, for the first time, she questioned the right of a husband to dominate his wife and children to the extent that they obeyed him slavishly. Perhaps it had something to do with the fate of Ivy Harris, burdened by a feckless husband and the demands of bearing a child each year, and Ivy’s humble acceptance of her lot. Despite her desire to rebel, Kate knew that she would have to apologise to her mother if there was to be any peace in the household. What she would keep secret, for the time being at least, was her ambition to start a soup kitchen in one of the roughest areas in East London.

She dressed with care and without Jenny’s assistance, although she could not manage the coiffure created by Jenny’s nimble fingers, and she allowed her long, blond hair to fall naturally to her shoulders, held back from her face by a pearl-encrusted comb, her only jewellery. With a last critical glance in the tall cheval mirror, Kate picked up her skirts and made her way downstairs to the drawing room.

Perry rose to his feet and his appreciative smile went a long way to soothing Kate’s turbulent emotions.

‘Good evening, Kate. May I say how charming you look?’

‘Thank you, Perry.’

Kate could feel her mother’s eyes upon her and a quick glance confirmed her suspicions – Perry was being assessed as a prospective son-in-law. A few months ago he would have been at the very bottom of a list of eligible young men, but Kate sensed a feeling of desperation in her mother and it made her feel extremely uncomfortable. However, if Perry noticed an atmosphere in the room he was far too tactful to bring it to her attention.

‘Sit down, please,’ Arabella said impatiently. ‘We’ll have a glass of sherry wine while we’re waiting for Sir Bartholomew. He had some papers to attend to, Peregrine.’ She signalled to Jenny, who had been standing stiffly to attention, waiting for instructions.

‘Thank you, Lady Martin, that would be much appreciated.’ Perry pulled up a chair for Kate and another for himself, and he accepted a glass of sherry from Jenny, acknowledging her with a nod and a smile.

Kate admired the easy way he had with everyone, and she warmed towards him.

‘Have you had a trying day, Perry?’

He laughed. ‘In all senses of the word, Kate.’ He turned to Arabella, raising his glass. ‘It’s been a good day for Sir Bartholomew. He’s certainly earned his new appointment.’

‘Here he is now.’ Arabella half rose from her seat by the fireplace, her face wreathed in smiles as her husband entered the room.