Two hours later, Dilys asked Serena and Ruby to join her and her aunt back in the drawing room and with tears in her eyes she told them, ‘I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me and your kindness, but my aunt has invited me to go and live with her and . . .’ When she blushed Ruby noted the way her eyes were shining. ‘And it seems that Steven, the man I was betrothed to, wishes to see me again.’

‘Oh, Dilys, I’m so pleased for you.’ Ruby hugged her, knowing how much she was going to miss her, but she was genuinely thrilled for her. ‘When will you be leaving?’

‘We thought today,’ Dilys told her tentatively. ‘I’ve already imposed on your hospitality far too long.’

‘Nonsense,’ Serena told her. ‘We’ve loved having you, I just wish it could have been under happier circumstances. But of course you must return with your aunt if that’s what you wish. Just be sure to stay in touch. I know Ruby thinks a great deal of you, as we all do. But if you’re quite sure this is what you want, I’ll go and pack some clothes for you. They’ll do until you can get some new ones.’

Both Dilys and Ruby had been wearing some of Ruby’s clothes that Hermione had sent over for them and although they were now far too big for both young women, they had at least been better than the ones they had arrived in.

An hour later, Bill took a valise to the waiting carriage as Ruby and Dilys said goodbye. There were tears in their eyes as they embraced and promised to keep in touch.

‘Look after yourself,’ Dilys said in a choked voice.

Ruby nodded, her throat too thick with emotion to speak as Dilys walked out of the front door and Bill helped her into the carriage. Minutes later she was on her way, waving through the window.

Tears streamed down Ruby’s cheeks and once again Serena comforted her.

‘Right, young lady, you’ve had a big day and I want you to rest before dinner,’ Serena ordered. ‘And then tomorrow I have the dressmaker coming to measure you up for some new clothes.’

Ruby smiled through her tears. Finding her birth parents had been nothing like she had expected it to be, but slowly she was growing fond of them and the future was looking bright.

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Two

Over the next few days, as Serena, Oscar and Ruby really got to know each other, Ruby noticed that Bill was keeping his distance and it troubled her. He had been so happy to see her when she had first returned, but now he seemed to be avoiding her. One evening, determined to find out what was wrong, she walked across to the stables where she knew she would find him with the horses.

‘Hello, Bill.’