Upstairs in the loft, she put some clean clothes over one side of the mattress for Charlotte to lie on so she would be more comfortable, and once she had rocked her off to sleep she tucked her beneath the blankets and wearily tipped water into the bowl to wash in by the light of the oil lamp. Then, lying down Amber took Charlotte into her arms and let the tears that had been threatening all day roll down her cheeks. Despite the fact that she disliked Barnaby Greenwood with a vengeance, she couldn’t help but wonder how he might be feeling. He had behaved shamefully towards her but she was forced to admit that he had appeared to adore his children – both Charlotte and David. He had been devastated when David had died and she had no doubt he would be devastated now that Charlotte was gone too. But her need to have Charlotte to herself and to bring her up the way she saw fit had been overpowering. Now all she could do was pray that she had done the right thing, for both hers and Charlotte’s sakes. Only time would tell.

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

Earlier that morning, as he always did after breakfasting with his in-laws, Barnaby had made his way to the nursery to see his daughter before he left to visit his shipyard. He was not in the best frame of mind as his father-in-law’s interest in the business was becoming annoying. Many years ago, just before Barnaby’s marriage to Louisa, Robert had invested a substantial amount of money in Barnaby’s business in exchange for a majority share in both the shipyard and the fishing trawlers, and he had also bought her Greenacres, the beautiful house they lived in, as a wedding present. It hadn’t overly concerned Barnaby as in law what was the wife’s automatically became the husband’s and ever since he had worked tirelessly to build the business up to the thriving concern it was today, so there was no reason now for his father-in-law’s interference.

Still, he thought as he took the nursery stairs two at a time, as Margaret spent most of every day with Louisa in the sick-room, Robert was probably poring over the books and poking his nose in just to pass the time.

By the time he pushed the door to the nursery open, he was smiling again at the prospect of spending a little time with his baby daughter. His heart still ached from the loss of his son and his wife now had no room in her life for him, but Charlotte could always make him smile. However, the second he entered the room the smile slid from his face as he saw Becky sitting there with tears streaking down her face.

‘What’s wrong?’ He glanced about noting the empty crib. ‘And where are Charlotte and Amber?’