He grinned – he could never begrudge her anything and worshipped the very ground she walked on so he was aware that even if she’d decided to take the whole house brick by brick, he would have allowed it somehow.

‘Oh, very well. Come along then, into the carriages or we’ll never get there.’

Amber took a seat next to Mr Wadsworth, the master’s valet, and the boys clambered in to join them, hanging out of the window to wave to the staff who had collected on the steps to see them off. And then they were off and at last the boys sat down and stared at Amber curiously.

‘You look different today to what you did when we met you,’ Harry observed and Amber smiled.

She was now clad in one of the lovely gowns Mrs Temple had supplied her with and a warm cloak and felt quite the lady.

‘It’s probably what I’m wearin’.’

Harry dug George in the ribs and giggled rudely. ‘Why do you talk so funny?’ he enquired and Amber felt her cheeks grow hot.

‘That’s quite enough of those rude comments, Master Harry,’ Mr Wadsworth scolded. ‘Where are your manners?’

Mr Wadsworth was a tall, grey-haired, stately gentleman and Amber flashed him a grateful smile as for the first time she wondered if she had made a mistake taking this job. It appeared the boys were going to be a real handful.

Mr Wadsworth regarded Amber seriously. ‘If you don’t mind me saying, Miss, I think you should start as you mean to go on, if you follow my meaning?’ He inclined his head towards the two boys who were play fighting on the seat opposite.

Amber nodded, knowing he was right. So, hoping to assert her authority she said firmly, ‘That’s enough o’ that boys! One o’ you will get hurt in a minute!’

Harry gave her a scathing look. ‘You can’t tell us off,’ he goaded. ‘You aren’t that much older than me!’

‘Oh, yes I can, an’ age doesn’t come into it,’ Amber responded sharply. ‘I was chosen by your mother to take care of you and if you don’t heed me words, I’ll tell both your parents that your behaviour has been appallin’.’

George instantly sat back in his seat whilst Harry made a great show of putting his chin in the air, scowling fiercely and folding his arms tightly across his chest. But at least they were quiet, for then at least.

‘Well done, Miss Ainsley,’ Mr Wadsworth whispered and Amber felt as if she had won a small victory.

*