Kate realised that she was cornered and explaining her motives for starting the soup kitchen would not go down well with her mother. If she mentioned the exact location she could imagine the shocked looks, the long lectures and the ultimate end of her plan. It was frustrating in the extreme, but as an unmarried daughter she was very conscious of the role she had to play. She followed her mother to the morning parlour.

Arabella seated herself in an armchair by the fire while Kate filled two glasses with sherry and handed one to her mother. In need of Dutch courage, Kate took a rather unladylike swig of her sherry. She knew that she was about to face a cross-examination equal to any meted out in a court of law.

‘Well,’ Arabella said, sipping her drink, ‘I’m waiting for an explanation, Kate.’

‘The charity feeds the poor and needy, Mama,’ Kate said truthfully. ‘It’s to be run from a premises not too far from the Royal Mint.’

‘Which premises? Who is the owner?’

‘I believe he is a well-known businessman.’

‘What is his name? Have I heard of him?’

‘He prefers to remain anonymous, Mama.’

‘But I assume he is the patron of this charity.’

‘In a manner of speaking, yes, he is. And he’s very wealthy.’

‘Is he married?’

‘I could hardly ask that, Mama. But he was not wearing a wedding ring.’

‘I want to know his name, Kate. He might be anybody.’

Kate hesitated. She dare not mention Harry Trader, although it was unlikely that his notoriety would have spread this far, it was possible that he might be known to her father. She crossed her fingers behind her back. ‘Augustus Spears, Mama. Augustus Spears, Esquire.’

‘Then you must invite Mr Spears to dine with us one evening. If you make the invitation to him and his wife we will know if he is attached or not.’

‘Yes, Mama. Would you like another sherry?’

Arabella held out her glass. ‘After the morning I’ve had, I need a little sustenance. Miss Barnet is very biddable, but a little slow on the uptake. Maybe I ought to keep Jenny and let you have the new person.’

‘But Miss Barnet came with an excellent reference from Lady Charlton. Jenny is just our housekeeper’s daughter. Surely you must take precedence, Mama?’

‘Yes,’ Arabella said wearily. ‘I suppose you’re right.’

Having successfully diverted the conversation away from the soup kitchen, Kate refilled her mother’s glass and placed it in her hand. ‘Is it all right if I go and change out of my street clothes?’

‘Yes, but I’m still not convinced that getting involved in this so-called charity is a suitable occupation for you, Kate. I think your papa will agree with me.’