‘Tommy has a cousin by marriage in Leeds. He took me to her house, but it was in a terribly poor area, the Bank, and I couldn’t stay there for long, or find work around there. Fortunately, a friend of Tommy’s, Finn, came and rescued me and arranged for me to live somewhere more respectable. I’ve been waiting and waiting to learn that you were back in Yorkshire. By great good fortune I became friendly with Blackie O’Neill, and I heard from him you had returned. I thought if I saw you in person I would know for sure if—’

Robert heard the French door close, and then there was a slight cough before Adrian decided to walk down the hall, his footsteps echoing in the stillness.

‘Ah, there you are, Adrian,’ Robert said, thinking quickly. ‘Please come and meet Moira, my cousin Henrietta’s daughter,’ he exclaimed.

‘I would love to,’ Adrian replied, moving forward swiftly, struck by this young woman’s beauty. She was stunning, with her silver-blonde hair, glossy and shining, and those large soulful greyish-blue eyes in a perfect face.

‘Moira, let me introduce Adrian, Lord Fraser, my best friend,’ Robert said to her, calming himself as he spoke, clamping down his fury about Lawrence.

Taking his hand, Moira said, ‘I am honoured to meet you, Lord Fraser.’ She spoke softly, pushing aside her pain.

‘And likewise, Miss Aherne, and it is my pleasure indeed.’ He dropped her hand after a long moment, stunned by her looks, her lilting voice. What a true beauty stood looking at him, her eyes wide and full of expectation, he thought. A knot of tension was settling in his stomach. Suddenly, he realized he was just gaping at her, and he moved towards the staircase. ‘I mustn’t interrupt you both, Robert, Miss Aherne. Please excuse me.’ He inclined his head, looking at Moira, and smiled. ‘Excuse me,’ he said, sounding flustered.

‘Tea at four-thirty, Addy,’ Robert called after his departing friend, who was now mounting the staircase.

‘I’ll be there,’ Adrian answered without looking around.

Robert took hold of Moira’s hand, and picked up the carpetbag next to the chair. ‘Is this all you have?’

‘Yes. I can only stay one night.’

Robert was startled, and frowned, ‘Why? What is going on, Moira?’

‘I have a job—’

‘You’re working?’ he cut in sharply.

‘Yes, I am.’

‘Doing what, for God’s sake?’ It was apparent he was taken aback.

For a moment, she thought of fibbing, but changed her mind. He had known her all her life, knew her inside out.

Taking a deep breath, she said, ‘I’m a lady’s maid.’

He stood looking down at her, obviously flabbergasted.

After a moment, he said, ‘You are joking, aren’t you? Pulling my leg?’

‘No, I’m not. That’s what I’ve been doing since I got to Leeds. I am a lady’s maid.’