George had been quiet all evening and now he told her, ‘It’s going to be very quiet when you’ve gone with just this nuisance for company, although I shall be returning to medical school next week so I suppose I won’t have to suffer her for long.’

Caroline gave his arm a playful thump and Ruby smiled knowing that she now had two new friends. It was a pleasing thought.

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

The carriage arrived back at Hermione’s house in Bedworth late the following afternoon and Ruby realised with a little shock that she was glad to be home.

Mr Pembroke helped her inside with her luggage but politely refused Hermione’s invitation to stay for dinner as he and Miss Wood had to get to the station to catch another train back to Birmingham.

‘Thank you for a wonderful experience, sir,’ Ruby said as he prepared to leave.

He smiled. ‘It was my pleasure entirely and I think it’s safe to say you made a very good impression on the Chatsworths. But I really must be off, so goodbye for now.’

Ruby stood at the door and waved until the carriage was out of sight then rushed back into the drawing room to tell Hermione about the wonderful time she had had.

Hermione listened with an indulgent smile as Ruby chattered on about Caroline and George. She told her about the opera and sightseeing and everything she had learnt in the workroom in the London shop. Suddenly she remembered that she was talking to her employer.

‘I, er . . . I’m sorry to rabbit on,’ she said humbly, blushing. ‘Of course, most of my stay was spent working, I promise.’

‘My dear girl, I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed it,’ Hermione assured her. She had been surprised at how much she had missed the girl while she was away and had realised with a little jolt that she had grown fond of her. ‘And your ideas for the new designs sound excellent. While you’ve been gone, I’ve had another bench installed for you in the workroom so that you don’t have to make do with one end of mine.’

Ruby’s face lit up, but before she could reply, Mrs B bustled in with a laden tray containing a pot of tea and some ham sandwiches. ‘Just to keep you going until dinner,’ she told her cheerily. ‘And welcome home. We’ve missed you.’

‘I missed you too,’ Ruby told her and as she looked at their dear faces, she realised that she meant it. She had loved her stay in London but this was home now and she was happy to be back.

*

‘I think we can safely say the trip was rather successful, don’t you think?’ Oscar said to Serena as they sat on the train back to Birmingham.