by Dilly Court
‘Mr Pomeroy-Smith arrived a couple of hours ago. He’s in the morning parlour with your mother.’
Kate nodded. ‘I’d better change out of these damp clothes and then I’ll let Mama know that I’m home.’
‘If you leave Jenny’s things out I’ll see that they’re laundered and put back in the bag for the missionaries. Unless, of course, you might need them again.’
‘I don’t think so, thank you.’ Kate headed for the staircase. She had no intention of risking such an expedition again. This was the time to take matters into her own hands and Giles’s arrival in Finsbury Square seemed like the answer to the questions that had been buzzing around in her brain since she parted from Harry in Wapping.
Giles rose to his feet when Kate walked into the room.
‘Kate, your mama has been telling me that everything is in hand for our wedding.’
‘Yes, indeed.’ Kate acknowledged her mother with a nod and a smile. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived, Giles.’
‘Where were you, Kate?’ Arabella demanded crossly. ‘You shouldn’t go off like that without a word to me.’
‘I’m sorry, Mama, but I had something very important to undertake.’
Giles went to stand with his back to the fire. ‘Is there anything wrong, Kate?’
The arrival of the new parlourmaid put a stop to conversation while she set the tea tray on a table by the window.
‘You may leave it, thank you, Lizzie.’ Kate went over to the table and poured the tea. ‘Would you like a cup, Mama?’
‘No, thank you. We had coffee after luncheon, which you missed. What have you been up to now? I hope it has nothing to do with that man Monks.’
Kate waited until Lizzie had left the room. ‘He was the reason why we had to leave our home, Mama.’
‘I’m fully aware of that, Kate. It all happened because Harry Lyndon was involved with some gangsters, and we were supposed to be in danger. Margaret Lyndon believed it, but I always thought it was a ridiculous story.’
Giles went to sit beside Arabella, taking her hand in his. ‘Kate told me all about it, my dear. I believe that there was, and probably still is, very real danger. I’ve heard about Monks and his disreputable gang. They are not the sort of people to trifle with.’
‘Don’t tell me that you’re mixing with these people again, Kate,’ Arabella said, sighing.
‘Not exactly, Mama. Anyway, I think I have a way to end this whole business to everyone’s satisfaction.’ Kate moved to a chair by the fire, taking her tea with her. ‘Giles, I need your help.’
‘Of course, Kate. I’ll do anything to make you and your mother safe. How I can be of assistance?’
‘You know many wealthy people, don’t you? I mean, you have connections with the rich and famous.’
He smiled modestly. ‘I suppose so. I’ve never really thought about it in that light.’
‘Well, I was thinking of giving a grand ball. Only this house isn’t really large enough for what I had in mind, and it would be very costly.’
‘I don’t understand. What are you planning, Kate?’ Arabella clutched Giles’s hand. ‘Why would we want to hold a ball?’
‘To celebrate your engagement and to announce your forthcoming marriage,’ Kate said glibly. ‘It would be a way for Giles to introduce you to society. After all, I believe you wish to return to London to live, Mama. I’ve heard that you own a large town house, Giles.’
He chuckled. ‘Is this your way of suggesting that I throw the ball at my property in Berkeley Square, Kate? I’m staying there for a couple of days, but it is usually closed until the start of the London season. It’s a tradition started many years ago.’
‘But I’m sure you have kept staff on there, and I imagine you have a collection of valuables and fine paintings.’
‘I have a few. What’s this all about, Kate?’
‘I’ll be honest with you both. The police, together with Harry Lyndon, have been trying to catch Monks and his gang for a long time. They are ruthless jewel thieves and they also steal works of art. I want to set a trap for them by announcing a grand ball to be held in your mansion in Berkeley Square. I think the temptation would be too much for Monks. After all, he and his gang have been lying low for months, and they must be getting a bit short of money by now. What do you say?’
‘I’d have to consider it carefully,’ Giles said slowly. ‘It’s true that I have many wealthy friends and acquaintances, but I would be deliberately putting them in harm’s way. That simply isn’t on.’
‘In the usual way of things I’d have to agree with you,’ Kate said earnestly. ‘But Monks has to have a good reason to risk stealing jewels and works of art. He’s clever and he’s managed to evade the police for far too long. None of us is safe until he’s behind bars.’
Arabella paled alarmingly. ‘Oh, Giles. Say yes. We can warn your friends—’
‘No!’ Kate said firmly. ‘No one must know. Harry will inform the police and they will lie in wait for the gang. Your engagement ball will be the talk of the town for years to come.’
‘It’s a risk.’ Giles patted Arabella on the hand. ‘But I think Kate is right. If this is the only way to catch a villain like Monks, so be it.’
‘Then you agree?’ Kate could hardly contain her excitement.
‘In principle, I do, but I’ll have to give it a lot more thought. I don’t want to endanger anyone.’
‘I agree,’ Kate said fervently. ‘I suggest we ask Perry’s opinion. He’s been liaising between Harry and the police. They’ve been working hard to catch Monks and this seems too good an opportunity to miss.’
Giles nodded. ‘I’m returning to Berkeley Square after dinner. I suggest that you and I pay Perry a visit at his chambers tomorrow morning.’
‘What about me?’ Arabella demanded. ‘Am I to be left out of this?’
‘No, my love, of course not.’ Giles resumed his seat at her side. ‘I suggest that you make a list of all the rich and influential people you know, and even those you’ve never met. We’ll work out who to invite from that, and if Perry thinks it’s a sound idea I’ll have invitations printed. I imagine we need to work quickly from what you’ve said, Kate?’
‘Yes, the sooner we get this done the better.’
‘But we will still go ahead with arrangements for our wedding at Easter?’ Arabella said anxiously.
‘Of course, my dear. That’s another good reason for getting Monks and his men caught, tried and convicted as soon as possible. I don’t want anything to spoil our special day.’
Arabella smiled happily. ‘I’ll need a new ball gown, Kate. If the celebration is in my honour I need to be the best dressed woman present.’
‘Of course, Mama. You will eclipse them all.’
‘And you must have a new gown, too,’ Arabella said, warming to the theme. ‘You might meet a wealthy gentleman with good connections. I’m afraid your romances have proved quite disastrous in the past, if you count that Indian soldier and then a man who’s been in prison. Much as I like Margaret Lyndon, I don’t think her son is a suitable husband for you.’
Kate exchanged meaningful glances with Giles. ‘I don’t think you need to worry about me, Mama. I know what I’m doing.’
‘I should hope so. You’re twenty-three, Kate. Soon you’ll be on the shelf – just think of the disgrace. Anyway, I suggest that we visit the modiste in Bond Street tomorrow or the day after.’
‘Yes, Mama,’ Kate replied automatically.
After a few moments of quiet reflection Perry agreed that the suggestion had its merits. He wrote a message for his clerk to take to the chief inspector at Scotland Yard. It was then that Kate realised how much importance the police put on rounding up Monks and his gang. They waited an hour for a reply and were about to leave when the chief inspector himself arrived at Perry’s chambers. Kate sat quietly during the discussion, leaving Perry and Giles to do the talking. She had been schooled by her father to speak when spoken to on matters of
such importance, although she was ready to step in and say her piece should the conversation not go her way. However, after half an hour it was decided that her plan might work and it would have the full backing of the Metropolitan Police. The date was set in agreement with Giles and it was left to Kate to persuade her mother that there would be time to make the necessary arrangements.
That afternoon Kate had little choice other than to accompany her mother to Madame Jolyot’s salon in Bond Street, where the need for a ball gown designed, fitted and delivered in three weeks was discussed at length. Arabella refused to ask the price of such speedy service, but Kate knew it would not be cheap. However, if it made her mother happy and if the ball attracted the attention of Monks, she considered that whatever it cost was a price worth paying. A more modest gown was ordered for herself, and when they left the salon Kate hailed a cab and they went for a celebratory tea at Gunter’s in Berkeley Square. Arabella could hardly contain herself when they alighted.
‘Look, Kate. Over there – that mansion belongs to Giles. I’ll be able to entertain royally when we’re married. This is just the beginning of the sort of life I could never have imagined when I was married to your dear papa.’
‘Yes, Mama. Shall we go into the tea shop? All the talking today has left my throat dry as dust.’
‘Don’t be vulgar, Kate. In high society we don’t mention bodily functions. It’s simply not done.’ Arabella marched into the tea shop. ‘Those cream cakes look so delicious. I might put in an order for several dozen for supper at the ball.’
‘Yes, Mama,’ Kate said dutifully as they were shown to a table, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Perry had promised to contact Harry, and although she was longing to see him again and to give him the news in person, she knew it would be a mistake to return to the pub in Wapping. No doubt Monks had spies everywhere. Kate ordered an ice cream and cakes for her mother, but all the while she was thinking of her next step.
Kate had not planned to visit Whitechapel again, but if anyone could get a message to Harry it would be Spears. He would be able to call in at the Town of Ramsgate pub and not draw attention to himself, and so she set off next morning for Cable Street, but this time she took a cab.
Spears peered at her from an upstairs window. Moments later he opened the door and dragged her unceremoniously over the threshold.
‘Why have you come here again, miss? You know it ain’t safe. Monks is back in town. Maybe it got too hot for him south of the river.’ Spears slammed the door and bolted it.
‘Have you seen Harry recently?’ Kate asked anxiously. ‘I really need to speak to him.’
‘I ain’t seen him for days. I dunno what’s going on and that’s the truth.’ Spears put his head on one side, eyeing her expectantly. ‘I don’t suppose you brought me any vittles, did you, miss?’
Kate had come prepared and she placed a wicker basket on the table. Spears snatched a pie wrapped in a piece of butter muslin, barely unwrapping it before he took a huge bite.
‘This is good,’ he said, spitting crumbs of pastry onto the floor. ‘I dunno how I’m going to keep going. Monks has got his men watching every move I make. They think Harry will come here and if he does they’ll get him. Word got round that he’s working with the coppers. Monks won’t stand for that.’
‘Last time I was here I took your advice and went to the pub in Wapping. I spoke to him and he said that it wouldn’t be long before Monks was caught, but I have a better plan.’
Spears munched the pie, barely paying attention to what Kate was saying. He nodded, smiling blissfully.
‘Are you listening to me, Spears?’
He swallowed convulsively. ‘Yes, miss. This is the best pie I ever tasted.’
‘I’m sure Mrs Pugh will be delighted to hear that,’ Kate said drily. ‘But I need your help, Spears. I want you to find Harry and tell him that I need to speak to him urgently.’
‘If I go out they’ll get me for sure.’
Kate could not argue with that, but an idea came to her and she smiled. ‘I want you to come back to Finsbury Square with me. A bath and a shave, clean clothes and a haircut will work wonders. Then I’ll send you to Wapping in a cab. Monks’ men won’t recognise you.’
Spears almost choked on a mouthful of pastry. ‘You want me to dress up like a toff?’
‘Something like that, but we must get word to Harry and I can’t think of any other way.’
‘This ain’t a ruse to get me arrested, is it? I done some things that the law don’t approve of in the past.’
‘The police aren’t interested in you, Spears – I have it from the highest authority – and if you do this and help to bring Monks and his gang to justice you’ll be free to live your life as you choose.’
‘That ain’t saying much, miss. I’ve been living like a hermit in this place. I don’t care if I never see Whitechapel again in me whole life.’
‘Perhaps there’s another way. Leave it to me, but will you do this? It’s very important.’
Spears puffed out his chest. ‘I never been that before.’ He reached for a slab of cake and took a massive bite. ‘I’d like to marry your cook. D’you think she’d have me?’
‘Not while you look and smell as you do at the moment. Do you agree to help us?’
Spears nodded. ‘If there’s more of this cake I’ll do almost anything.’
‘That’s good. I’ll go out and hail a cab. Wait in the doorway. The sooner we get away from here, the better.’
Lizzie almost fainted when she set eyes on Spears and Mrs Marsh stood arms akimbo in the entrance hall, glaring at him suspiciously.
‘Why have you brought this vagabond into the house, Miss Kate? Your mama won’t be too pleased.’
Kate drew her aside. ‘This is police business, Mrs Marsh. This man is a valuable witness in a case that is so important the chief inspector is handling it. I want a bath filled with hot water, with clean towels and soap ready. Are there any of my papa’s old clothes that have not been given to charity?’
‘There is a trunk filled with them in one of the attics, miss.’ Mrs Marsh pursed her lips, folding her arms across her chest. ‘But if you don’t mind me saying so, is it right to give them to someone like him? I’m sure there are more worthy people.’
‘Not in this case, Mrs Marsh. I’ll take Mr Spears to my father’s dressing room where he can wait while Lizzie fills the bathtub. I’ll go to the attic myself and search for the appropriate garments.’
‘If you say so, miss. But I don’t think Lady Martin will approve.’
‘My mother has gone for a drive with Mr Pomeroy-Smith. By the time she returns I’ll have Mr Spears looking and smelling like a gentleman.’
‘Better tell him to keep his mouth shut, then,’ Mrs Marsh said, tossing her head. ‘I’ll see to it, miss. But if your mama creates a fuss, I won’t take the blame.’
‘Don’t worry. It’s my responsibility.’ Kate moved away to where Spears was standing awkwardly at the foot of the staircase. ‘Come with me. I’ll take you where it’s quiet and you can have a bath in peace, while I look for some suitable clothes for you to wear. You’re about the same size as my late father.’
Spears rolled his eyes. ‘I dunno about wearing a dead man’s clothes.’
‘He’s hardly likely to complain, is he?’ Kate gave him a gentle shove towards the bottom step. ‘Think of a life free from Monks and then you’ll see the benefit of what you’re about to do.’
Spears was still protesting when she settled him in her father’s old dressing room where Lizzie had already begun to fill a tin bathtub with hot water. She scurried from the room, taking the two large ewers with her.
‘I want you to sit there, Spears.’ Kate pointed to a nearby chair. ‘It will take a while to fill the bath. Our old footman has just been reinstated and he’ll give you a hand to wash and shave.’
‘I ain’t a baby,’ Spears protested.
‘No, of course not, but you will need someone to shave off that aw
ful beard, and Henry will trim your hair. We’ll have you looking like a gentleman before you know it.’
‘I don’t want that young girl ogling me in the tub.’
‘I’m sure that’s the last thing Lizzie wants. She won’t be there to watch you, and neither will I. Just remember that this is all about finding Harry and bringing him here without Monks’ men recognising you. Your life might depend upon this, Spears.’
‘It’s all right for you to try to change me life for me, miss.’ Spears eyed her suspiciously. ‘But what happens when I’ve done me bit and I’m no use to you or Harry?’
Kate moved to stand in the doorway. ‘Maybe you’d enjoy living in the country, Augustus. I might even have a person in mind who is in need of an old soldier. That is how you started out in life, isn’t it?’
‘Who told you that?’
‘You did, Augustus. The first time we met you told me you’d been a soldier in Her Majesty’s army. I’ll see you when you’re finished here.’ Kate left the room before Spears had a chance to argue.
The person who entered the morning parlour an hour and a half later was nothing like the shabby scarecrow Kate last saw. Spears was dressed smartly in her late father’s clothes and now he was clean-shaven. His hair had been washed and brushed and she could see that he might once have been a good-looking man.
‘I feel like a fool, dressed up in these duds, miss.’
‘Augustus Spears, you look like a proper gentleman. No one in Cable Street will recognise you. In fact I think you’ll take Harry by surprise.’
‘I’ve come this far. What d’you want me to do?’
‘Find Harry and bring him here after dark.’
‘What then? I can’t go back to Cable Street looking like this, and I got no money.’
‘You can sleep here tonight. I’ll ask Mrs Marsh to have a room made up for you and tomorrow I’m planning to visit Warren House in Walthamstow. I was thinking of taking you with me.’