It was everything and more than she could have hoped for and from the first second the curtains opened on the stage, she was utterly entranced. More than once she was moved to tears as the story unfolded, and as George watched her from the corner of his eye he smiled. He had never met a girl like Ruby before. She was so innocent and unspoilt, not to mention beautiful, and he only hoped he would get the chance to become better acquainted with her.

Halfway through there was an interval where the girls were allowed another small glass of wine and this only added to Ruby’s happy state. By the time they left the theatre Ruby had stars in her eyes and couldn’t stop smiling. Her happy mood was enhanced further at the restaurant where they enjoyed a wonderful meal.

‘I shall never, ever forget this night,’ she told Caroline breathlessly. She felt as if she had entered another world and was aware that it was all thanks to Miss Wood and Mr Pembroke’s kindness to her. Suddenly the days and years she had spent slaving in the bakery seemed a million miles away, but still there was one thing missing. If only I could discover who my real mother is, everything would be perfect, she thought as George helped her down from the carriage when they arrived back at the Chatsworths’, but even that seemed possible now and she refused to let anything mar the magical night.

*

For the rest of their stay Ruby spent much of her time at the shop with Mr Chatsworth and Mr Pembroke and all too soon it was almost time for them to go home.

‘Oh, I shall miss you.’ Caroline pouted the night before they were due to leave and Ruby realised with a little pang that she would miss her too. ‘Promise you’ll come back when you can.’

‘That would all depend on your father and Mr Pembroke,’ Ruby said sensibly. ‘But thank you for making me so welcome. I’ve had a wonderful time and I’ve learnt so much.’

Caroline grimaced. ‘I don’t know how you can find all that jewellery-making interesting,’ she admitted. ‘All the processes involved just to produce one piece of jewellery. It’s all rather gobbledegook to me, I’m afraid. I just like the finished products.’

Ruby giggled. ‘I’ve loved trying my hand at all of them,’ she admitted. ‘And it’s just made me realise how talented all the people who are trained to do them are.’

‘Ah, but never forget that what you do is important too,’ Caroline told her solemnly. ‘Without the designs they wouldn’t have anything to work on.’

Ruby had never thought of it like that before and felt a little thrill of pride. She supposed Caroline was right and it made her more determined than ever to succeed.