‘Why not? Think about it. I know I certainly shan’t ever meet anyone I wish to get married to again and you’ve said that you’ve no wish to. It would be a marriage of convenience, obviously. We could still continue to have our own rooms and live as we are now. It would be a purely platonic arrangement, but it might stop tongues wagging. What do you think?’

‘I-I don’t know what to think!’ He had taken her completely by surprise, but as she thought of his suggestion, she supposed it did make sense. At least if they were married Charlotte would have some security, and so would she if it came to that.

‘Well, I . . .’

Sensing her hesitation and seeing the worried look on her face he hastened to assure her, ‘As I said I would never lay a finger on you. I’m just trying to make things a little easier for both of us.’

She stared thoughtfully into space for a time before saying slowly, ‘Then yes, I suppose it does make sense, for Charlotte’s sake if nothing else. At least if we’re wed then she won’t be branded a bastard.’

‘Is that a yes then?’

When she nodded, still looking nervous and uncertain, he stood up. ‘Then I shall go and see the vicar of St Mary’s tomorrow and arrange it for as soon as possible. Goodnight, Amber.’

He crossed to the door that led to the stairs and as she watched him go, she chewed on her lip and hoped she had done the right thing.

*

The following day Barnaby rode into Whitby to purchase new crockery and when he returned and carried it into the kitchen, Amber smiled at the sight of it. She’d expected him to buy plain white but this was patterned with little hand-painted poppies.

‘This is so pretty but I’m afraid it must have been very expensive,’ she commented as she examined it before arranging it carefully on the dresser. ‘In actual fact, it’s almost too nice to use for every day, but luckily I managed to salvage a few of the plainer pieces so we can still use those.’

He was ridiculously pleased to see her smiling and felt that the fancy crockery was worth the extra he had paid for it.

‘I, er . . . I’m truly sorry for all the trouble and pain I’ve caused you in the past,’ he said quietly, and she paused in what she was doing to stare across at him. ‘And I’ve been to see the vicar. We can be married in three weeks’ time once he has called the banns. I’ve also taken the time to ask Farmer Jennings and his wife if they will stand as our witnesses. Is that all right?’