He, meanwhile, was frowning too. His wife could be so damn annoying at times and it was her lack of enjoyment in the marital bed that had made him turn to other women for release – Amber Ainsley being the latest. He was still bitterly ashamed of the way he had ordered her to get rid of the child they had made together. Amber might not have been quite as beautiful as Louisa, nor had she had the advantages that Louisa had had and yet she didn’t make constant demands either, and Barnaby had found he could talk to her and feel easy in her company. This was why he hadn’t dismissed her and now he hoped that it wouldn’t be too long before she came back and they could pick up where they left off. Because strangely, even though she’d only just left, he found he was missing her.

As he rode into the stable yard the head groom came out to meet him and he saw the man scowl as he looked at the state of the horse.

‘Now don’t glare at me like that, Jed.’ He laughed as he leapt nimbly down from the saddle and threw the reins to him. ‘Star enjoys working up a sweat and a good gallop.’

‘Hm, I wonder if you’ll say the same when the poor beast drops down dead wi’ a heart attack, sir,’ Jed answered boldly as he stroked the horse’s nose. He had known Barnaby since he was a young boy and as a youth when he was struggling to build up his business.

‘He’ll be right as rain once you’ve given him a good rub down.’ Barnaby turned on his heel and headed round to the other side of the house to enter by the front door as Jed – shaking his head – led the horse into the cool stables. He really didn’t know what had got into the young master lately; not so long ago he would never have pushed the poor horse so hard.

Barnaby had only just entered the enormous hallway when Ruffy appeared.

‘Ah, Mr Greenwood,’ she greeted him. ‘I hear congratulations are in order . . . again,’ she said drily and Barnaby flushed.

‘Yes . . . yes, they are, Mrs Ruffin.’

‘Then let’s just hope your wife doesn’t suffer too much this time, eh?’ Mrs Ruffin said worriedly. ‘Though I wouldn’t hold my breath on it. Didn’t I warn you some time ago that she wasn’t built for bearing children? Why, she’s so delicate and fragile one good puff of wind would blow her away and all these pregnancies can’t be doing her health any good at all.’

‘I’m well aware of that, Mrs Ruffin,’ he answered coldly. ‘Now, would you excuse me?’ And with that he strode away, leaving her in no doubt that she had upset him.