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His charm and Angelica’s delight in the gift did not quell her sense of outraged unease. ‘I still don’t understand what has brought you back at this time?’ she asked him with a frown.

‘Because I thought it was about time my daughter knew who her father was. I was successful at last and I would not embarrass her. She could be proud of me, as I am of her.’

‘But why didn’t you just write and warn me first that my dead hero of a father was in fact alive, and manifestly less heroic?’

He frowned. It disconcerted him when his charm did not sweep all reservations before him. He recognised he was a rogue but considered everyone else to be so too, just more the hypocrite that hid their villainy from plain sight. Very soon his liveliness had returned. ‘I also wanted to deliver to your mother some of the currency I owe you both for all these years of absence. In gold coins. I couldn’t entrust a courier with that.’

Miss Stafford had been discreetly reading a book in the window seat but she rose to her feet and walked over. ‘I apologise, Mr Crowe, but I’m responsible for Miss Leigh’s recuperation and I fear she is tiring. It’s been a busy day with visitors. Perhaps you could continue this conversation tomorrow?’

Angelica put out a hand to touch hers. ‘Thank you. I’m tired, ’tis true.’

Prosper Crowe bowed. ‘Indeed. I shall be honoured to come tomorrow.’ He cocked a questioning eyebrow at Angelica, then smiled. ‘A strong Irish girl like me daughter needs fresh air. Might I accompany ye for a short promenade in St James’s Park at noon?’

Angelica nodded, feeling somehow bamboozled by the force of his personality. As the front door closed behind him, Elinor Asprey came skipping down the stairs, her face bright with excitement. Hair flying, she cannoned into Miss Stafford who was leaving the small sitting room where Angelica lay back on the sofa. ‘Now where are you going, Elinor?’ Miss Stafford asked as she caught her by the arm.

‘I wanted to see Miss Leigh. Might I?’

‘Not now, my dear. She’s fatigued by too many visitors and I’ve left her to rest.’

‘Oh, please, Miss Stafford. I’ve finished all my work. Even my arithmetic. I’ve got something important to ask her.’

A wan voice came from the room. ‘I’m very happy to see Miss Asprey for a short while. Do let her in.’ Angelica had slipped the necklace back into its velvet pouch, unwilling to advertise its presence.

Miss Stafford stood aside for her charge. ‘Just for five minutes.’

Elinor approached the invalid with care, her eyes wide. Angelica patted the sofa beside her; she liked this girl’s independence and bright curiosity, which Miss Stafford’s advanced ideas as a teacher seemed to foster. ‘Miss Leigh, is your father a pirate?’

Despite her tiredness, Angelica chuckled. ‘No! What makes you think that?’

‘Well, he looks just like one, with his hair and his tricorne hat. And I heard Goodall describe him to my father as a pirate.’

‘No. He runs a gaming club in Paris.’

‘Oh, how exciting! I wish I had such a papa.’

Emotion rose in Angelica’s breast and she drew herself up, turning to face the young girl. ‘Miss Elinor, your papa cares for you and is always there to be relied upon. My father has been absent all my life, even when my mother and I were close to starving. He allowed me to think he was dead. That is not exciting, I assure you.’

Elinor hung her head. ‘I know. And I am sorry. I just wish my papa didn’t work so hard. I wish I could do more things with him.’

‘It’s hard for you.’ Angelica put an arm round the girl’s shoulders. ‘But at least your father is intent on making people’s lives better. Mine, I’m afraid, just preys on their weaknesses.’

Elinor looked into Angelica’s face with an earnest expression in her blue eyes. ‘How can that be, Miss Leigh?’

‘Because he panders to the worst appetites of gluttony, drunkenness and greed. Gambling destroys so many lives.’

‘But Papa gambles at Hazard.’

‘I think he used to but has given it up. Most men of means can be reckless when they’re young.’

‘Like cousin Charlie?’

‘Indeed, but your cousin seems to think that your papa has become very sober and upstanding since he became a Member of Parliament and responsible for your upbringing. So you do not need to worry about that.’

Angelica smiled as the girl lifted her face to kiss her on the cheek. ‘Oh, Miss Leigh. I so like you being in our house. May I come and read with you in the library tomorrow?’

‘If your school work is done, of course. But I’ll soon be returning to my mother’s home. I won’t be here much longer now I am well.’

Elinor’s expressive face displayed every emotion. Angelica noticed a puzzlement in her eyes as she said, ‘Will you be going to Charlie’s masquerade party at Papa’s house?’