She narrowed her eyes as she stared at him. ‘Oh, so you’re offerin’ me me old job in the laundry back, are you?’ she said scathingly. She would have welcomed the position of laundry maid anywhere else but she had no intention of ever being his lackey again.

‘Oh no, no!’ He shook his head and after taking a deep breath he went on, ‘As you may be aware our nanny left recently and Nancy has been caring for my twins. But that was only on a temporary basis and I’ve asked you here to offer you the position of nanny full-time.’

Amber was so shocked that now she did drop heavily onto the seat he had formerly offered. ‘What? you want me to care for your babies?’

When he nodded, she laughed mirthlessly. ‘Well, that’s a turn up for the books, ain’t it? You do realise I ain’t had no trainin’ in that department, don’t you, apart from carin’ for the two Temple lads for a short time? An’ why didn’t you come an’ offer the job to me at Mrs Grimshaw’s instead o’ gettin’ me to come here?’

‘I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable,’ he explained. ‘People might have wondered why I was seeking you out and offering the post to you when so many others are seeking jobs.’

‘How very thoughtful of you!’ Her voice dripped sarcasm and again she saw him flinch. This was clearly as hard for him as it was for her.

But then she forced herself to ask, ‘An’ what about . . . about my daughter? Is she safe an’ well?’ There was a catch in her voice that she couldn’t control and it was not lost on him.

‘She is thriving.’ Although his voice was steady when he answered he could feel her pain and he bowed his head in shame as he asked, ‘So will you consider the post, Miss Ainsley? The wage would be twenty-five pounds a year plus you would be entitled to every Sunday afternoon off, of course.’

She stared at him uncertainly. It was more than she had ever been offered in her life and she would have somewhere to live into the bargain, yet the thought of being so close to him and having to see him often turned her stomach.

‘Per’aps if I could meet the babies before I make me mind up?’ she suggested cautiously and he nodded enthusiastically.

‘Why, yes . . . yes, of course you can. I shall take you up to the nursery myself.’

He hurried from behind his desk and held the door open for her and when they saw Mrs Boswell in the hall he asked, ‘Would you mind taking Miss Ainsley’s cloak please, Mrs Boswell? I’m taking her up to the nursery to meet the twins.’