Finally, she was forced to admit defeat and with a sigh she began to hang the clothes away in the wardrobe. It was then that she noticed a number of Miranda’s bags thrown into the bottom of it beneath the gowns and kneeling down she pulled them towards her and peeped inside each one, sorting through the assortment of hairpins, handkerchiefs and bits and bobs, but finding nothing unusual. She was just returning them to the wardrobe when she noticed another bag tucked away right at the back. Retrieving it, she snapped the clasp then gasped as she stared down at a small black velvet pouch. It was the same as the ones that Hermione kept her jewels in, and as she withdrew it, she found that she was shaking as she loosened the drawstring and carefully tipped the contents into the palm of her hand. They were the missing diamonds and she caught her breath as the sunlight streaming through the window made them glitter, sending rainbows of colour sparkling around the room.

On wobbly legs she slowly descended the stairs and headed for old Mr Pembroke’s room where she knew she would find Oscar reading the newspaper to his father.

Both men glanced towards her when she entered and one look at Serena made the colour drain from Oscar’s face.

‘I . . . I found them . . . the diamonds!’ She opened her palm, and as Oscar stared at the jewels, she saw tears start to form in his eyes.

‘So, what are we going to do now?’ Serena asked fearfully as she looked into Oscar’s stricken face.

‘We’re going to get Bill to prepare the carriage and then he can take us to Miranda’s grandparents’ house. I think Miranda has some explaining to do.’ His mouth was set in a thin, straight line and after handing the diamonds to him Serena rushed off to instruct Bill.

*

It was mid-afternoon before the carriage drew to a halt outside Lydia’s parents’ stately home and Oscar’s face was grim as he helped Serena down. ‘We shouldn’t be too long, lad,’ he told Bill as he and Serena made their way to the front door.

Bill respectfully touched his cap. ‘Right you are, sir.’

A maid in a starched white apron admitted them and pointed towards the day room where she informed them Lydia and her daughter were entertaining visitors.

‘But I’d best let her know you’re here, sir.’ She cast a curious glance at Serena. ‘She won’t be none too happy with me if I allow you in without introducing you.’

‘Don’t worry about that.’ He brushed her aside and strode forward to throw the door open and the second she set eyes on him, the colour seeped out of Miranda’s face.