‘No, my dear. Since the death of my husband Harry is now Sir Harry Lyndon, Baronet. Perhaps you can understand now why he likes to use an alias.’

‘I think so,’ Kate said guardedly. She was beginning to feel as though she had stepped into a Gothic novel by Mrs Radcliffe. The Mysteries of Udolpho would seem quite tame after discovering that Harry led a double life.

‘That’s enough about my boy,’ Lady Lyndon said cheerfully. ‘Tell me about yourself. I don’t even know your name.’

‘I’m Kate Martin, ma’am. I mean, my lady. I run a soup kitchen giving meals to the poor in Cable Street.’

‘Really? How public-spirited of you, Kate.’ Lady Lyndon turned her head at the sound of someone knocking on the door. ‘Enter.’

A young maidservant stepped into the room. ‘You rang, my lady?’

‘Coffee and cake, Agnes.’

‘Yes, my lady.’ Agnes bobbed a curtsey and hurried from the room, closing the door behind her.

‘Now then, where were we?’ Lady Lyndon gave Kate a searching look. ‘You were telling me about your charitable work.’

‘Yes, my lady. I’m not sure how much longer it can go on.’

‘Why is that, Kate?’

‘I’ve been funding it myself, but we have more and more people coming for a midday meal, and it’s taking every penny of my allowance.’

‘I see.’ Lady Lyndon sat back in her chair, fixing Kate with a calculating look. ‘Did you not think of that before you began?’

‘No, my lady. I’m afraid I went ahead blindly.’

‘And now you’re seeking help from my son.’

‘Not exactly. Harry, I mean Sir Harry, is our landlord. He owns the building and even though he’s allowing us a rent-free month, I’m afraid we can’t continue after that.’

‘My late husband was, I believe, a shrewd businessman. I know almost nothing about his finances, but I do know that he invested in property. Harry handles the business side of things now.’

‘I didn’t come to ask for money, Lady Lyndon.’

‘What do you want, Kate?’

Kate rose to her feet. She realised that Harry’s mother knew nothing of his criminal activities. ‘I really shouldn’t take up any more of your time, my lady.’

‘Nonsense. It’s delightful to have young company. I was just about to go for a walk in the gardens when you knocked on the door.’ Lady Lyndon dimpled mischievously. ‘My servants will be put out when they learn that I let you in. They have very set ideas of what is proper and what is not.’

‘But you’re a titled lady, ma’am. You must be used to ordering a large household.’