‘You won’t know until you read it, but if he asks you to look after his mother, you must refuse. She is not your responsibility, nor is Annie. Harry Trader, or however he chooses to style himself, is a man who takes advantage of people. He’s fortunate that the case ended swiftly and his true identity was not revealed. Not that it will do him any good in Newgate Prison.’

Kate’s hand shook as she took the note from him. She tucked it into her reticule with a casual shrug. ‘I’ll read it later. Is there anything we can do for him, Perry? Can we appeal the sentence?’

‘He’s admitted his guilt. You can say goodbye to Harry for a decade or more. Perhaps he will emerge a better person for his incarceration.’

‘You are so smug,’ Kate said angrily. ‘This is a man’s life that has been ruined.’

‘I’m sorry, but the only person to blame is Trader himself. He knew what he was doing, and the fact that he’s had a good education and comes from a titled family makes him even more culpable.’

‘But you said that didn’t come out in court.’

‘That’s right. Maybe Trader chose to plead guilty to keep his identity a secret. Either way, I can’t feel any sympathy for the man.’

Kate could see that arguing in Harry’s defence would be useless. ‘I have to go home, Perry.’

‘I’d like to visit your father soon.’

‘I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see you.’ Kate walked away, torn between loyalty to her old friend and annoyance at his attitude. Harry Trader was not a wicked man, of that she was certain. He had fallen into bad ways, but there was a reason for his behaviour. She clutched the letter tightly in her hand, only opening it when she was seated in the hansom cab on the way home.

Newgate Prison

July 1858

My dear Kate,

By the time you read this I will be back in my cell, and likely to remain here for quite some time as I have changed my plea to ‘guilty’.

I am sorry for involving you in my affairs, but I know that you have respect for my mother and I would be most grateful if you could bring yourself to break the news of my imprisonment to her personally. I know it is a lot to ask, but I comfort myself with the knowledge that you have a good heart and a generous spirit.