He helped her down and took Charlotte from her, and steeling herself, Amber stepped through the back door and into the kitchen. Once again, the crockery from the dresser was smashed about the floor and the curtains had been ripped from the poles. But worst of all was the dreaded scrawling on the wall. This time someone had written HARLOT in huge letters and she cringed at the sight of it. Even so her face remained calm as she rolled her sleeves up and said quietly, ‘Unfortunately it looks as if we’re goin’ to have to buy some new crockery.’

He was watching her intently and she could see how distressed he was. ‘Never mind the crockery, it’s your good name I’m worried about. Didn’t I warn you this might happen?’

She shrugged. ‘As me mam was fond o’ sayin’, while they’re callin’ me names, they’re leavin’ some other poor sod alone. Now, lay Charlotte on the sofa an’ go an’ get the horse settled, he’ll be tired after the long journey. Then we’ll put this place back to rights. I can’t have Charlotte crawlin’ through all this lot.’

‘You don’t think it could have been old Trampy Ned who did this do you?’ He couldn’t think of anyone else who came near the place.

Amber shook her head. ‘No, I don’t. Old Ned is a gentle soul, he’d never cause all this damage an’ he wouldn’t steal from us either.’ Then she went to the cupboard to get the broom and started the long job of clearing up.

Barnaby took the horse to the stables, and after giving him a good rub down and filling his manger with food, he shook his head. His first feelings of anger had gone and now he just felt desolate. What a terrible ending this homecoming had been to their lovely time in Scarborough, but as Amber had pointed out, they would just have to get on with it, although he had come up with an idea that might make things easier for Amber. It was something he had been toying with for a while and now he decided to put it to her at the first opportunity he got.

It came later that evening as he and Amber were sitting in the kitchen after Charlotte was safely tucked up in bed. The house was now sparkling clean and tidy again. He’d noticed that she was actually a very good housewife and certainly not afraid of hard work. She was darning some socks by the light of the oil lamp when he said tentatively, ‘Amber, I know things have been difficult for you so I thought . . .’ He swallowed, setting his Adam’s apple bobbing. ‘I thought perhaps people might leave you alone if we were to get married.’

‘What?’ Her head snapped up as she stared at him in disbelief. ‘Us get married, you mean?’