‘That’s ‘cos she’s the one as ruins ’em,’ Daisy confided. ‘An’ that’s why Mr Temple wants ’em sent away to school to learn a bit o’ discipline.’ She stifled a yawn and smiled apologetically. ‘Sorry, miss. It’s been a long day. Is there anythin’ else you’ll be needin’ afore I turn in?’

‘No, you get off to bed, an’ thanks, Daisy.’

Once the girl had gone Amber clambered into bed again and lay watching the shadows flicker across the ceiling. Although it was quite late at night it was still very noisy outside and she couldn’t get used to it. A great wave of homesickness swept over her as tears started to form in her eyes and suddenly she almost hoped she would be dismissed the following morning. Just as her mother had once warned her, London was turning out to be nothing like she’d expected and she longed for the peace of the tiny cottage where she had been brought up. Thankfully at some point she slept, although in her dreams she could hear her baby crying and she woke the next morning with tears on her cheeks.

*

‘So, who is going to explain what went on then?’ Mr Temple asked sternly as Amber and the boys stood in front of him in the drawing room after breakfast the next morning.

‘It was our fault, Father,’ Harry confessed with his head bowed and Amber was so shocked that her eyes widened. Unknown to her the boys had had a conversation earlier and they were actually quite impressed with the way she had stood up to them. None of their other nannies had ever dared to do that and they didn’t want her to leave. She was so much younger and much more fun than the others had been.

Harry went on to confess more fully what they had done, ending with, ‘And we are very sorry and we’d like to apologise.’

‘Then do it.’

They both turned to face Amber and told her meekly, ‘We apologise for our bad behaviour, Miss Ainsley.’

When Amber nodded, not quite knowing how to react, Mr Temple said with a glower, ‘Very well, we’ll let it go this time. But I don’t want to hear another word about you playing any more silly pranks, do you hear me?’

‘Yes, Father,’ the boys said quietly in unison and he pointed at the door. ‘Right, now go and get your breakfast and be thankful that I haven’t confined you to your room for the day.’

Needing no second bidding the boys scooted off to join their mother and their grandmother in the dining room and inclining her head towards him, Amber made her way back upstairs and began to tidy the boys’ room. She wasn’t quite sure where she was supposed to breakfast until Daisy appeared with a tray a short time later.