They returned to the kitchen where Martha had laid a tea tray with what appeared to be the best china, and a plate of tiny cakes.

‘Perhaps you would like to take tea on the terrace as it’s such a warm day, miss?’

Kate pulled up a chair and sat down at the kitchen table. ‘Thank you, but we can’t stay long, Mrs Boggis. We have a cab waiting to take us back to town, but I have to say that I’m very impressed with the house, and you are to be highly complimented on the way you’ve kept it. The family could move in today and it would be as if they had never left.’

‘I told you not to worry, Mattie,’ Arthur said gruffly. ‘My wife is very diligent, Miss Martin. She wages war on dust and dirt.’

‘I can see that.’ Kate reached for the teapot. ‘Won’t you join us? A cup of tea is most welcome, especially in this heat.’

Jenny sat down next to Kate. ‘May I have one of them cakes? They look almost too good to eat.’

Martha’s tense expression melted into a smile. ‘They are tasty, even if I say so myself. I make them once a month so that when the vicar calls I have something to offer him. The poor man has gone down with some sort of sickness, so he couldn’t come today.’

‘Do take a seat Mr and Mrs Boggis, or might I call you Martha and Arthur?’ Kate filled her own cup and one for Jenny.

‘We don’t think that’s proper, miss, if you’ll excuse me being frank.’ Arthur moved closer to his wife and slipped his arm around her ample waist. ‘We like to do things proper in Warren House. Start as you mean to continue, that’s my motto.’

‘Do whatever feels best for you,’ Kate said easily. ‘The house is more than suitable, but can you tell me anything about the village? Would it be a safe place for two ladies to live?’

‘Safe, miss?’ Martha exchanged puzzled glances with her husband. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘In London there are gangs of men who flaunt the law. I don’t suppose any of them come this far to the east, do they?’

‘Heavens, no, miss.’ Arthur shook his head. ‘We get people breaking the law but they are dealt with immediately. This is as safe a place as any you’ll find in the whole country. But do you think Lady Lyndon really will want to live here?’

Chapter Eleven

‘My dear girl, why would I want to leave my home in London?’ Lady Lyndon leaned towards Kate with a questioning look in her ocean-blue eyes, so like those of her son.