Amber sat quietly for a few moments, admiring the lovely room, until she heard the scuffle of footsteps outside the door on the tiled floor and two young boys, who looked remarkably like their mother, exploded into the room.

They were both giggling and jostling each other but at sight of Amber they stopped abruptly and stared at her.

‘Now boys, do remember your manners,’ Mrs Temple told them severely, although her eyes were smiling. ‘This is Miss Ainsley. She’s coming to London with us and she will be your nanny until you leave for school in the New Year.’ Mention of the school took the twinkle from her eye and Amber guessed that it must have been her husband’s idea to send them there. She certainly didn’t look too happy with the idea.

The boys, meantime, were eyeing her curiously. She certainly didn’t look anything like any of the other nannies they had had. They had all been older and much more smartly dressed than the young woman in front of them now.

‘How do you do, Miss Ainsley,’ they chorused at a frown from their mother and Amber gave them a broad smile that showed off the dimples in her cheeks.

‘’Ello, lads. I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.’

Their eyes stretched wide as they heard her speak and they would have broken into laughter if a glare from their mother hadn’t stopped them.

‘Very well, you may go back upstairs now,’ Mrs Temple told them. ‘I’m sure Mr Bowler will have left you some homework to be doing and I shall be checking it later this afternoon to make sure you’ve done it.’

‘Yes, Mamma,’ they both said miserably and with a nod towards Amber they quietly trooped out of the room.

‘So, have you had much experience of boys?’ Mrs Temple asked.

‘Well . . . I’ve got four brothers, if that counts.’

Mrs Temple smiled and nodded. ‘Then I’m sure I shall have no need to tell you how boisterous they can be. But now I shall summon Mrs Brewer and she will fit you out with suitable clothes. Can you be here on Friday evening? We shall be travelling early on Saturday morning so it would be easier if you were already here to help get the boys up.’

‘Of course, ma’am.’ Amber inclined her head and when the housekeeper appeared she followed her to the back of the house where she unlocked a door that led into a small room where a number of uniforms were hanging.

‘Now then, let’s see, you look about the same size as the last but one nanny the boys had,’ she said thoughtfully as she looked Amber up and down and so saying she lifted a gown down and held it against her. ‘Try that one on,’ she urged, heading for the door. ‘And I shall be back in a minute.’