As Louisa strolled around the lush green lawns with Tumble scampering at her heels, Barnaby rode up the tree-lined drive on his stallion. As always of late, he had pushed the poor horse too hard and it was sweating and foaming at the mouth. Spotting his wife, he drew to a stop beside her, smiling down at her and she simpered at him in return. There were times when her childlike behaviour almost drove him to distraction. And yet he could remember a time not so long ago when he had been besotted with her. When he had first met her he had been sure that he had never seen a more beautiful young woman. But once they had married he had quickly discovered that her nature didn’t quite match her looks. The sexual side of their relationship wasn’t good for a start off, for she would gaze at him with a look of dread on her face the minute he entered her bedroom. And her tantrums if she didn’t get her own way! He shuddered to think of them, but he kept his smile in place as he said, ‘Good morning, my love. You’re not overdoing things, I hope? We don’t want anything to go wrong this time, do we?’

Her smile disappeared and she pouted, aware that he was talking about her condition again. Surely having her as his wife should have been enough for him.

‘I am only taking a gentle stroll,’ she pointed out with a scowl. ‘Or would you have me stay indoors and waste away for the next seven months?’

‘Of course not, my little dove. I accept that you need some fresh air.’

Tumble was scampering about the horse’s hooves, barking and making the stallion skittish. ‘Could you pick Tumble up, please,’ Barnaby asked. ‘He’s going to get hurt if Star rears up.’

‘Tumble, come here, my darling.’ She leant down in a flurry of yellow silken skirts and scooped the little dog into her arms, frowning after her husband as he turned away without another word and rode towards the stables.