Barnaby was crossing the hall to his study when the doctor came downstairs shortly after and when he saw the frown on the old doctor’s face his heart began to race. Surely things couldn’t be going wrong again? he asked himself.

‘Is everything all right, Doctor?’

‘Hm, well as far as I can see, but to be honest I’d be happier if the child were moving about a bit more.’ He could have added that he would have liked its heartbeat to be a little stronger too but he didn’t want to overly concern the expectant father. He knew how much he was looking forward to the birth of the child.

‘Oh no!’ Barnaby’s face fell and the doctor quickly forced a smile.

‘Now let’s not get thinking the worst! We’ll cross each bridge as we come to it, eh?’ he suggested soothingly. ‘It’s probably just me being over-cautious because of what’s happened in the past. I’ve suggested she stay in bed for a few days and have a good rest, which didn’t go down too well, I have to admit. Apparently she had planned to go visiting this afternoon, but it can’t be helped. I’ve told her to do away with those damned stays as well. Young women nowadays are far too vain, if you ask me.’ He tapped Barnaby’s arm and left.

Staring after him, Barnaby felt the first seeds of fear begin to grow in his stomach. Through the open door he could see one of the gardener’s dead-heading the roses in the rose garden and hurrying out to him he ordered, ‘Cut a large bunch of roses for the mistress and have one of the maids take them up to her room immediately.’

‘Yes, sir. Reet away.’ The gardener touched his cap as Barnaby strode towards the stables. He’d take his horse for a good gallop, he decided. It was time he visited the shipyard to see how close to completion the latest trawler his men were building was anyway.

Less than an hour later he tethered his horse and as he approached the almost-finished vessel he saw young William, Amber’s brother, busily varnishing the hull.

When he stopped to speak to him, Will looked mildly surprised. It wasn’t often the gaffer spoke directly to any of the workers.

‘Almost finished?’

‘Aye it is, sir,’ Will answered respectfully. ‘Another couple o’ days or so should see ’er ready fer launchin’.’

‘Good, good.’ Barnaby tapped the side of his jodhpurs with his riding crop. ‘And how is your uncle now? The one that lives in Scarborough. I saw your mother some weeks ago and she told me that your sister had gone to take care of him.’