‘There’s only one way to find out.’ Serena allowed him to help her down from the carriage and as Bill drove it round to the stable block, they entered the front door.

Betty hurried to meet them. ‘Please, sir, there’s a visitor waiting for you in the drawing room and he says he needs to see you on a matter of some urgency,’ she said breathlessly.

‘Oh, did he give a name?’ Oscar asked as he handed her his hat.

‘Yes, sir, he said it was Dr Chatsworth.’

‘Young George?’ Oscar was surprised. William had told him a short time ago that George had now completed his doctor’s training but what could he be doing there?

With a nod at Betty he and Serena made for the drawing room.

‘George, this is a surprise,’ he said as he entered the room, holding his hand out to the young man. Then noting the young man’s grave expression, he asked, ‘Is your family all right?’

‘Oh yes, sir. They’re very well,’ George hastened to assure him. ‘My visit has nothing to do with them. But the thing is . . .’

As he began to explain why he was there, Serena wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. She was delighted that they’d discovered where Ruby was, but horrified to think of her in such a terrible place.

‘And are you quite, quite sure that the girl really is Ruby?’ she choked.

‘Oh yes, ma’am. There’s no doubt about it, although I’m afraid she won’t be the Ruby you remember for some time to come. She and some of the other inmates at the asylum have had a very hard time of it and I think it will be a long while before they are themselves again. I tell you, that place is like a den of vice. You wouldn’t believe what I uncovered when I began to go through the files. I immediately summoned the trustees and the board of governors and they were as shocked as I was. Unfortunately, the matron, and one of the nurses who appeared to be running the racket have scarpered. The doctor who was also in on it is too ill to run anywhere but whether the women will ever be caught remains to be seen, although the police have been informed and are searching for them.’

‘But why didn’t you bring Ruby to us?’ Serena asked.