‘All right,’ he said doubtfully. ‘But are you sure you can manage?’

‘I’ll go home and change into something more practical and then I’ll go to the soup kitchen. The meal will be over, but I can help them to clear up, and if what Sir Jasper said is true, there’s almost nothing I can do for Mama. Keeping busy will take my mind off things.’

‘I’m sorry you had to cancel your trip to India, but it’s probably for the best.’

‘I expect you’re right,’ Kate said dully.

Fate had once again turned her world upside down, but she refused to think about what might have been. Uncle Edgar had loved India, and he had devoted more than half his life to that country. Perhaps it was better that his ashes were scattered on the land he held so dear. As to finding Ashok, she would never give up hope of their reunion, but now the only option left was to go through official channels. She would return to India at the first opportunity, come what may, but for now there were people who needed her here at home, and her first duty was to her family.

Sir Bartholomew was discharged from hospital a month later. On a hot afternoon in late July when the pavements sizzled beneath the unrelenting rays of the sun, he was helped from the carriage by Henry and Fellowes, who had been at his side most of the time he had been in hospital. They carried Sir Bartholomew upstairs to a bedroom adjacent to the one he had shared with his wife for the past twenty-two years, and a bed had been placed in the dressing room so that Fellowes could be on hand if Sir Bartholomew needed anything during the night.

Kate had made sure that her father’s sick room was aired and made as welcoming and comfortable as possible. Vases filled with summer flowers were placed on side tables, and the drab brocade curtains had been replaced by colourful chintz draperies. Fellowes had shown touching devotion to his master and he rarely left Sir Bartholomew’s side. His services were needed even more than before the illness that had struck Sir Bartholomew with such power and speed. His recovery had been very slow and the whole of his left side was paralysed. His speech was slurred and on occasions it was only Fellowes who understood what his master wanted. Kate had found it difficult to be in her father’s company for very long, and Arabella’s visits to the hospital were even more infrequent, leaving her depressed and tearful for days at a time.

When her father was safely installed in his new surroundings, Kate made sure that he was as comfortable as possible. She left Fellowes fussing over the cushions in the chair by the window, which overlooked the square gardens, and she went in search of her mother.