And then just before ten o’clock in the morning she found herself standing in front of the gates that led to Greenacres just as she had known she would deep down. She hated the thought of having to be in Barnaby Greenwood’s presence again but her need to have information about her child overcame her hatred and she set off down the drive.

When the house came into view she hesitated. Should she take the servants’ entrance at the back of the house? Her chin rose defiantly. Why should she? It was the master who’d requested she should call so she would enter by the front doors for the first time. She had no doubt it would set the staff gossiping but she was beyond worrying about that. She climbed the steps to the door, pausing to self-consciously smooth the material of the warm cape her uncle had bought her, glad that she was dressed in her decent clothes, before pulling on the bell that hung to one side of the doors.

It was Mrs Boswell who answered and when she saw Amber, she looked surprised to say the least.

‘Hello, Mrs Boswell. I have an appointment wi’ Mr Greenwood at ten o’clock. He wished to see me,’ Amber informed her grandly and just for a moment the woman’s jaw dropped open.

‘Then you’d best step inside and I’ll inform him that you’re here.’

While Mrs Boswell scuttled away to find the master, Amber looked around her with awe. She’d rarely been into this part of the house before and hadn’t realised how luxurious it was. She didn’t have long to admire it, however, before Mrs Boswell came back. ‘Mr Greenwood will see you now, Amber. Would you come this way?’

Amber followed her along a corridor until they came to the door that she guessed must be the master’s study.

When Mrs Boswell held it open for her, Amber stepped past her to see Barnaby Greenwood seated in a high-backed leather chair behind a large mahogany desk.

He rose instantly and gestured towards a chair in front of his desk. ‘Ah, Miss Ainsley. I’m so glad you came,’ he greeted her, for all the world as if she was one of his wife’s well-to-do friends. ‘Do sit down.’

‘I’m quite all right standin’ if it’s all the same to you.’ Her voice was so sharp that it could have sliced butter and she saw him cringe. ‘So what did you want me for?’

He gave a nervous cough as he ran his hand through his thatch of blond curly hair. ‘Actually, I have a position vacant here that I hope you’ll be interested in.’