Only too glad to have something to do, Ruby did as she was told, aware that Miranda was watching her all the time. Eventually they went in to lunch, which proved to be as tasty as Hermione had promised, and once it was over Miranda suggested, ‘How about showing me some of these designs, Ruby? Aunt Hermione spoke very highly of them.’

Ruby glanced towards Hermione who inclined her head. ‘Of course, would you like to come this way?’ Ruby said reluctantly.

The two girls crossed the hallway and Miranda followed Ruby down the stairs to the workshop where a number of semi-precious gems glittered in the lights from the oil lamps, and sketches were spread across the workbench.

‘These are some of mine,’ Ruby said, pointing to the ones she had been working on. ‘Hermione asked me to try what stones I think they should be set with. For instance, this one.’ She pointed to a drawing of a peacock with its tail feathers spread. ‘I’m thinking of a mixture of gemstones for that one. Amethyst, garnet, topaz, the more variety of colour the better really, but of course they will have to be tiny stones to get the effect. And this one.’ She lifted a design of a rosebud. ‘I think this should be worked in gold with a single ruby set in the bud.’

Miranda was forced to admit to herself that the designs were very good indeed, although she wouldn’t say it out loud, of course. Instead she said, ‘Hm, I can see that some of them have promise and I’m sure you’ll get better as you go along. But is this what you really want to do? I thought you had come to be a companion to my aunt?’

‘I had . . . what I mean is, I am her companion; we work side by side on these designs and we also spend a lot of time in the garden,’ Ruby told her, unable to keep the enthusiasm from her voice.

When Miranda didn’t respond, Ruby shuffled the papers on the table, unsure what she should say next. After everything that had happened and the way Miranda had treated her, she felt uncomfortable being alone with her. But nothing could have prepared her for what the girl said next.

‘I suppose I owe you an apology for the way I behaved on the day you fell.’ Miranda sounded so contrite that Ruby was shocked.

‘It’s all in the past now, let’s just forget about it, shall we?’ she answered good-naturedly. Ruby had never been one to bear a grudge.