The cabbie carried their bags up the steps for them and once they had all alighted the carriage Mr Pembroke rang the bell. It was answered almost instantly by a young maid in a starched white apron and a mob cap trimmed with broderie anglaise, who gave them a welcoming smile.

‘We are expected,’ Mr Pembroke told her.

She nodded. ‘Yes, sir, the master and mistress are in the drawing room. Would you like me to take your hats and coats before you go through?’

As they were handing her their outdoor clothes, a door further along the hallway opened and a man who looked to be about the same age as Mr Pembroke appeared, beaming broadly.

‘Oscar, it’s so good to see you!’ He hurried forward with his hand outstretched and once he and Mr Pembroke had shaken hands, he inclined his head with a smile towards the ladies. He was nowhere near as tall as Mr Pembroke and was slightly tubby with dark hair that was greying at the temples but his smile was kindly and Ruby liked him immediately.

‘Come on through,’ he urged, ushering them ahead of him. ‘Esther has been so looking forward to your arrival. But you must all be tired after your journey? Never mind, there’s plenty of time for a nice cup of tea and to freshen up and get changed before dinner.’ He turned his attention to the young maid, asking, ‘Hattie, would you have our visitors’ luggage taken up, please? And make sure there is hot water in their rooms for them to wash with.’

‘Yes, sir.’ The maid bobbed her knee and scuttled away along the black and white tiled hallway.

Their host opened the door to the room he had just come out of and urged them ahead of him. It was a beautiful room with a fire roaring up the chimney and thick red velvet curtains hanging at the windows. Comfortable sofas with brightly coloured cushions scattered on them were dotted here and there and the atmosphere was one of warmth and comfort. It was clearly a family home, although nowhere near as grand as Mr Pembroke’s house.

‘Oscar!’ A woman who had been sitting in a deep leather wing chair to one side of the fireplace rose and hurried forward to kiss Oscar warmly on the cheek before giving a welcoming smile to Miss Wood and Ruby. ‘You are all very welcome,’ she told them and turning her attention to Ruby she smiled. ‘In fact, William has been very much looking forward to meeting this promising new young designer that Oscar has told him so much about.’ The woman’s fair hair was piled on top of her head in curls and her slight figure was dressed in a dark-blue velvet gown. She was the antithesis to her husband, but just as friendly, and although approaching middle-age she was still a very attractive woman.