‘Of course I do, darling.’ He pulled a chair up to the bedside and made to take her hand but she snatched it away.

‘Actually, I’m glad we have a few moments alone because there’s something I must say to you.’

‘Of course.’

He stared into her face and with her chin in the air she went on, ‘The thing is, the doctor has told me that if I were to attempt to have any more children it could kill me.’

He nodded, his face sombre. ‘I’m quite aware of that.’

‘Good, then you will realise that we must never . . .’ She sought for the right words before ending, ‘We must never lie together again. It isn’t worth the risk. And after all, you have not one but two children now so surely you are happy with that.’

Barnaby nodded resignedly. Their love life had never been the best and he knew that she had only endured it now and again for his sake, but she was right, it wasn’t fair to risk her health again. Of course he knew there were ways and means to prevent pregnancy, but if he was honest, given her obvious horror of the act, lying with Louisa had not been pleasurable for some time.

‘I am more than happy with the family you have given me,’ he said sadly. ‘Although it saddens me that we will not be intimate again.’

‘Speak for yourself,’ she said tartly. ‘It certainly doesn’t sadden me! In fact, I can tell you now, I find the whole process messy and uncomfortable. No, I will stand firm on this, Barnaby. From now on you are to stay to your own room.’

‘As you wish.’ His face set, he stood and looked down on this woman who he had once idolised, and then with a curt nod he turned and left the room. His next stop was the nursery where he found the nanny he had employed to care for the children changing the boy’s binding whilst the wet nurse from the town fed the girl. His face instantly softened as he asked, ‘And how are they today, Nanny?’

‘Oh, the lass is as good as gold, sir,’ the nanny, a plump, middle-aged woman with a kindly face replied. ‘But the boy is still quite fractious.’ She finished fastening the boy’s binding and after adjusting his tiny nightshirt she handed him to his father, thinking, It’s a good job one o’ the parents shows an interest in the little mites. The mother certainly don’t.

Barnaby cuddled the tiny boy close, feeling a rush of love the like of which he had never felt before. Oh, he had thought he loved Louisa, but had he really? a little voice in his head asked. Or had he merely been infatuated with her ethereal beauty?