‘Yes, I did get the impression that Helen isn’t happy about them going,’ Louisa agreed. ‘But I still find it rather strange that you would suggest a former laundry maid should go to London with them. I’m sure the girl will be totally out of her depth.’

Barnaby shrugged, keen to change the subject. ‘Oh, she’ll cope, no doubt. Most of their nannies have been much older and the boys have run rings around them. It could be that someone younger will keep them in check. But anyway, enough about that. I’ve received a reply to my letter from Dr Franklin in Harley Street in London today. He’s agreed to come and see you, so let’s hope there’s something he can do to get you up and about again.’

Louisa pouted. ‘Such as what? Dr Lewis has tried everything but nothing has helped so far. I think I shall have to resign myself to the fact that I am an invalid now.’ In fairness, Louisa hadn’t recovered at all well from the birth and she looked pale and wan, nothing like the beauty he had fallen in love with. Her once lustrous hair was thin and wispy and she seemed to have no energy, despite the delicacies that cook prepared to try and tempt her to eat. Occasionally she would get out of bed to sit in a chair by the window for a short time but most days now she rarely rose.

‘Well, it won’t hurt for him to come and have a look at you,’ Barnaby said with a smile. ‘And have you seen the babies today?’

She shook her head, avoiding his eyes. She really couldn’t understand why he was so besotted with them.

‘No . . . I don’t feel strong enough,’ she said petulantly and Barnaby frowned.

‘But, darling, if you don’t start to spend a little more time with them soon you won’t bond with them,’ he pointed out.

‘So? It was you that wanted them,’ she responded resentfully. ‘And now it has cost me my health.’

Seeing that she was building up to a tantrum, Barnaby stood up quickly and asked, ‘Is there anything I can get for you before I go to the shipyard?’

She sniffed and turned her face away, and with a sigh he quietly left the room. He hadn’t been lying when he said he had to go to the shipyard, but first his steps led him towards the stairs that led to the nursery and when he entered, he found the nanny just changing the little girl’s binding.

‘Ah, here you are, sir, I’ve been meaning to speak to you,’ she said pleasantly as she glanced up. ‘Only, well, the thing is it’s quite hard to address the babies when they don’t have names. Have you and the mistress decided on any yet?’