A reluctant smile curved Perry’s lips. ‘Kate, if women were allowed to study law, you would make a superb barrister.’

‘I don’t think my father would agree with you, Perry. But I really mustn’t take up any more of your time.’ Kate stood up. She was satisfied that Perry would do his best and that Harry would have a fair chance of acquittal, or at least a less heavy sentence. She could go to Lady Lyndon with reasonably good news.

‘As I said before, you must seriously consider vacating the premises in Cable Street.’ Perry rose from his seat. ‘The sooner the better, in my opinion.’

‘I’ll give it some thought,’ Kate said tactfully. ‘You don’t need to show me out. I should know the way after all these years.’

‘Your father is much missed. It’s not easy to live up to the standard he set.’ Perry followed her to the door and held it open. ‘How is he doing now? I’d like to visit him if he’s well enough.’

‘He’s about the same,’ Kate said, sighing. ‘He’s no worse, thank goodness, and the doctors think he might improve as time goes by.’

‘Then I’ll definitely pay a call at your house in the next couple of days.’

‘I’m sure Papa will appreciate a visit. Goodbye, Perry, and thank you for agreeing to take Harry’s case.’

‘I’m only doing it for you,’ Perry said drily.

She acknowledged this remark with a brief smile. ‘If anyone can get him off, it will be you, and now I must go and tell Lady Lyndon that her son will be well represented in court tomorrow.’

‘You’ve met his mother?’ Perry barred her way. ‘Are you sure you’re doing the right thing, Kate? I would advise against getting too deeply involved with that family.’

‘It’s common courtesy to put the poor lady’s mind at ease. I know what I’m doing, Perry.’

Kate left him standing in the doorway, but she did not look back.

Kate was in the court room next morning, waiting for Harry’s case to come before the magistrate. She had not wanted to be there, but Lady Lyndon had been so distraught that in the end Kate had agreed to attend and to report to her the moment she knew Harry’s fate. She waited patiently, sitting through several cases, until he was called to the dock, and she held her breath. Despite his confident bearing, he looked pale, tired and unkempt. He glanced up, scanning the public gallery until he saw her, and a genuine smile lit his face. Kate found herself smiling back, but then she caught Perry’s eye and she composed herself, staring down at her folded hands. She sat quietly, listening to the charges against Harry Trader being read out and his subsequent plea of “not guilty”.