He held it for a few seconds longer than necessary, peering at her through the thick lenses of his steel-rimmed spectacles. The firelight reflected off a shiny patch of his balding pate, but his smile seemed genuine. ‘How do you do, Miss Martin? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about your good works from your dear mama.’

‘I’m sure she exaggerates,’ Kate said mildly. ‘I’ve only just set up a soup kitchen in Whitechapel. It’s quite difficult to reach the people who need help the most.’

‘I’m sure I can find many families who will jump at the chance of a free meal. There is so much poverty in that area, although, of course my parishioners are of a much better class.’

Kate was about to ask him what he meant by that remark when there was a knock on the door and Winnie, the latest addition to the staff in Finsbury Square, hovered on the threshold.

‘There’s a gent here who says he’s been invited to dinner, ma’am.’

Kate held her breath. She had completely forgotten Spears. He had not given her an answer to the invitation to dine with them and she had been too busy to repeat the request. He pushed past Nell and barged into the room. He was wearing a slightly green-tinged frockcoat and tight black trousers that made his skinny legs look like sticks. His white shirtfront was creased and his cravat had come untied. Kate stared at him in horror.

‘I was invited,’ he said, glaring at Arabella and then Sir Bartholomew. ‘It ain’t polite to keep a guest hanging round outside.’

Chapter Six

‘Who the devil are you?’ Sir Bartholomew eyed Spears suspiciously.

‘She invited me to dinner,’ Spears said sulkily, jerking his head in Kate’s direction.

‘Good heavens! Surely this can’t be the owner of the premises, Kate?’ Arabella stared at him with a puzzled frown.

Spears turned on her with a ferocious scowl. ‘You toffs think you’re better than the rest of us. Anyway, I never said I owned the place – I’m just the caretaker for—’

Kate stepped in between them. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Spears. There appears to have been some misunderstanding.’

‘D’you mean I come all the way from Whitechapel only to be thrown out on the street, because your ma and pa are too stuck up to mix with the likes of Augustus Spears?’

‘All men are equal in the sight of God, sir.’ Harold Haroldson steepled his hands, peering at Spears over the tip of his fingers.

‘Who asked you for your opinion?’ Spears demanded angrily. ‘I come here in good faith and it’s obvious I ain’t wanted.’ He spun round to face Kate. ‘I blame you for this – just wait till I tell Harry—’