‘It’s stunnin’,’ Amber said and she meant it. The waistline was fitted into a fashionable V at the front with a tight-fitting, low-cut top and puffed, elbow-length sleeves, and the skirt was full. It was trimmed at the neckline and the waist with white guipure lace and she knew the colour would set off her strawberry-blonde hair and copper-coloured eyes to perfection. It was the sort of gown she had only ever dreamed of owning, although she recognised it was completely impractical for the life she led back at The Crow’s Nest. ‘But when will I ever get the chance to wear it again?’

‘Don’t worry about that,’ Martha said with a wide smile when she saw how much Amber loved it. ‘It’s my wedding day and I want everyone to feel as special as I will.’ She blushed like a girl and Amber and her mother exchanged a smile. Both Martha and her uncle seemed so happy that it was clear they were made for each other.

Next, Martha produced a dainty pair of satin slippers to complement the outfit and Amber giggled as she tried to picture herself wearing them when she was digging in the garden back at home or collecting the eggs from the chickens Barnaby had bought.

*

The next morning the house was in chaos as they all helped each other to get ready. Uncle Jeremiah looked very smart in his top hat and tails and gaily coloured waistcoat, and Martha looked beautiful in a lovely two-piece costume of pale lemon with a matching hat. She would carry a posy of sweet-smelling freesias, insisting that she was far too old to bother with a large fussy bouquet. Alice wore a gown in a fetching shade of blue and Biddy’s outfit was in lilac, while Charlotte wore the pretty ivory coloured dress Amber had lovingly stitched for her, and everyone agreed she looked totally adorable.

Then, while the womenfolk kept a watchful eye on the baby, Amber dashed off to get ready herself. She had washed her hair the night before so before getting dressed she piled it high on the top of her head and teased it into ringlets that fell onto her slim shoulders. The gown fitted as if it had been made for her and when she appeared at the top of the stairs, she saw Barnaby in the hallway.

When he glanced up and saw her his eyes almost popped out of his head, and as she came slowly down the steps, he could scarcely take his eyes off her. This was Amber as he had never seen her before and he couldn’t believe the transformation. He had always thought her pretty, although not in the ethereal way that his wife had been, but now he realised that she was quite beautiful.

‘Why you look . . . just . . .’ He was almost lost for words. ‘Just beautiful.’