Dilys left the room then to give Ruby time to put her thoughts into some sort of order but she had been gone only a matter of minutes when yet another tap came on the door and this time Ruby’s heart did a funny little flip when Bill appeared, cap in hand.

Her hand self-consciously rose to her hair and she felt herself blush as she glanced down at the ugly dress she was wearing, but Bill appeared not to notice and she saw that his eyes were moist.

‘You’re back then.’

She nodded. ‘Yes, I’m back, although there were times when I thought I never would be.’

‘I searched for you every single day,’ he confided. ‘And I never for one minute believed that you’d run away. That Miranda should be horsewhipped.’

Ruby shrugged. ‘What would be the point? It’s over now and I just want to try and forget what’s happened.’

‘I can understand that but . . . I’m so pleased to see you back. I-I missed you.’

‘I missed you too,’ she answered shyly. And only then did she realise just how much.

‘Is there anything I can get for you?’

He looked so ill at ease that she couldn’t help but smile. ‘No thank you, Bill. It’s enough to be out of that awful place for now.’ And then suddenly she was crying again and without stopping to think he crossed the room and gathered her into his arms and she realised that for the first time in a very, very long while, she suddenly felt truly safe.

‘Mr Pembroke an’ Miss Wood have been nearly out of their minds with worry about you,’ he confided with his chin resting on her hair. ‘All of us have, if it comes to that, an’ I just thank God you’re safe an’ sound now.’

She lifted her head and glanced up at him, surprised to hear the level of emotion in his voice and before he could stop himself, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently. Just for a moment, it was as though all the troubles and sorrow of the past few months had disappeared. Until, suddenly he pulled away.

‘I-I’m sorry about that,’ he muttered.

Ruby smiled through her tears. ‘Don’t be. I liked it. But didn’t someone say there was some dinner waiting for me?’

Bill grinned with relief at her words, and still holding tight to her hand, led her from the room.

*