‘If you could get word to me when the child has arrived, I would arrange for it to be fetched and placed with a family. And I promise that I would choose wisely. That way you can get on with your life safe in the knowledge that it has gone to a good home.’

She sneered. ‘An’ meantime you’ll no doubt be makin’ the most o’ your other baby? The legitimate one that’ll be born wi’ a silver spoon in its mouth. I heard me an’ your wife are expectin’ our babies round about the same time.’

He had the grace to look embarrassed. ‘Er . . . yes, I believe you are. But surely that is irrelevant. We obviously both want what is best for the child you are carrying.’

‘Just consider it, Amber.’ Mrs Carter shot a look of such disgust at Barnaby that he visibly cringed. But even so she could see the sense in what he was suggesting.

‘I’ll think about it,’ Amber murmured, still refusing to look at him. She wanted to run at him and rake her fingernails down his handsome face, but what good would that do? ‘An’ when I’ve made me mind up whether or not to take you up on the offer, I’ll write an’ let you know.’

Realising that he could do no more to persuade her for now, he lifted his hat and gave a stiff little bow to Mrs Carter before removing a small bundle of rolled notes from his waistcoat pocket and placing them on the table that held the tea tray. ‘For any expenses that may be incurred,’ he said quietly and with what dignity he could muster he left.

‘Well!’ Mrs Carter said when they heard the front door close behind him. ‘What a turn up for the books! You could knock me down with a feather. Whyever didn’t you tell us that it was your employer who had taken advantage of you? Your uncle will be incensed when he finds out.’

‘No!’ Amber shook her head. ‘He must never know,’ she said decisively. ‘No good could ever come of it if he caused a fuss. Like I just told him, all me family rely on him fer their jobs an’ I don’t want them to suffer.’

Mrs Carter looked concerned but she nodded all the same. ‘Very well. It will be as you say but I urge you to consider his offer, for the baby’s sake at least. Won’t you be able to have a clearer conscience if you at least know it is in a decent home?’

Amber remained stubbornly silent as, her mind in turmoil, she stood at the window watching the father of her child striding away along the street.

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten