Once downstairs, Amber took the door that led into the yard rather than the one to the kitchen, pausing to look around to ensure no one was about. It was as quiet as the grave, so lifting her drab grey skirt she took a deep breath and picked her way across the cobbles to the barn. It had been early in November when her affair with the master had begun. It had started with smiles and the odd word and then, late one evening when Amber had gone out into the yard to get some air, she had met him coming out of the stables. They had just talked on that first evening and she found that she felt at ease with him. He was an incredibly handsome man and Amber had been flattered when he showed an interest in her and confided that he wasn’t happy in his marriage. The staff were aware that he and his wife Louisa had separate rooms, and Amber had felt sorry for him. From then on, they had started to meet and eventually she had given herself to him up in the hayloft as he whispered words of endearment in her ear.

‘One day when the time is right, I shall tell Louisa that I love you,’ he had promised. ‘And then we’ll be together for always.’

And she had believed every word he said. She could still remember the first time she had given herself to him as if it was yesterday. She had no regrets because she loved him with all her heart but now she wondered how he would take the news that he was about to become a father. Hopefully, this would be the spur he needed for them to be together. And so, taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin and moved on; there could be no more delaying.

After entering the barn, she stood for some minutes allowing her eyes to adjust to the gloom, then jumped back in alarm as a large tabby cat in pursuit of a rat almost as big as itself narrowly avoided racing across her foot. Her heart had been beating wildly before but now it was racing so much that she was worried it would leap out of her chest. And it was then that she heard the creak of the enormous barn door behind her and spinning about she saw the master striding towards her.

‘Hello, Amber,’ he said with a worried frown, holding his arms out towards her. ‘Come here, there’s something I need to speak to you about.’ Barnaby wasn’t looking forward to this conversation because he knew it was going to hurt her.

‘An’ I need to tell you sommat an’ all,’ Amber said nervously as she licked her dry lips. ‘The thing is . . . I think I’m in the family way . . .’

He looked shocked. ‘And you’re telling me that the child is mine? Is that it?’