Bill hadn’t thought of that and he frowned with concern. What would Ruby do? She was only a kid and nowhere near ready to fend for herself out in the big bad world. But then, he had found Mr Pembroke to be a reasonable man so he’d probably sort something out for her. If he didn’t, he was sure Maddie would have her back, but that wasn’t the sort of life Ruby would be happy with. She might be only a kid but she had principles and he admired her for that. Meanwhile all the staff were looking forward to a few easy days with all the family being gone, apart from the old master, who was still ill and confined to his room, and they intended to make the best of it.

*

Mr Pembroke returned home nine days later looking stressed. Miranda had been a nightmare on the journey to the school, which was no more than he had expected, and he had been relieved when he was able to leave her in Madame Babineaux’s care.

The house was strangely quiet when he entered through the front door but he assumed that Lydia would be in her room being waited on hand and foot as usual, until Miss Wood approached him to say, ‘Welcome home, sir. I hope the journey wasn’t too tiring?’

He gave a rueful grin as he handed her his hat and coat. ‘Actually, it was more stressful than tiring, Serena,’ he admitted and noting that she looked quite tense he asked, ‘Is everything all right here?’

‘Well . . .’ She was trying to find the kindest way to tell him, but eventually gave up and said quietly, ‘I’m afraid not. Mrs Pembroke returned to her parents’ home the day after you left. She asked me give you this letter.’

She picked up an envelope from the hall stand and handed it to him, then turned to go. ‘I’ll leave you to read it in peace while I fetch you a tray of tea and something to eat to keep you going till lunchtime. You must be tired and hungry after your long journey.’

As he watched her slim figure disappearing down the hallway, he shook his head. In most households it would be the lady of the house coming to greet their husband but not in this one! With a sigh he took the letter into the drawing room and after settling on the chaise longue that Lydia had favoured he split it open with his thumb and began to read.

My Dear Oscar,