But none of that, he knew now, could excuse his abominable behaviour towards young Amber Ainsley. She had been as pure as the driven snow the first time she had lain with him and had loved him unreservedly, asking nothing in return – unlike Louisa, whose demands for fripperies were constant. And when that had resulted in her being with child, he had callously ordered her to get rid of it as if that little life had meant nothing. Only now did he realise how wrong he had been to do that, because that would have been his child just as much as the one Louisa was carrying, even if it was illegitimate. Time and time again he had stifled the urge to go to Scarborough and track her down just to apologise and make sure that she was all right, but each time he had found some excuse to put it off; probably, he admitted now, because he was so ashamed of himself.

Suddenly he made a decision; her brother Will had told him where he might find her uncle’s shop some time ago and once he had tracked that down he knew he would have no trouble finding Amber. He would go to see her as soon as possible – tomorrow in fact – and he would beg her forgiveness. He would also see that she had ample funds until she returned to work, and he would promise her that he would never again take advantage of her. He couldn’t expect her ever to forget how badly he had treated her or what he had put her through, but that would be a little salve for his conscience at least. Feeling slightly better he strode back to his horse and after springing lightly into the saddle he turned him in the homeward direction.

He had barely entered the hallway when he met Mrs Ruffin coming down the stairs to fetch a cool drink for her mistress and she asked if she might have a private word with him.

‘Of course, Mrs Ruffin, come into my office.’ He still found it hard to address her as Ruffy, despite the fact that his wife and the rest of the staff did. ‘So what seems to be the problem?’ he asked once the door was shut firmly behind them.

‘Well . . . I don’t quite know how to tell you this,’ she said regretfully. ‘But the doctor called earlier and he seemed a bit concerned about the baby’s progress.’

‘In what way?’