Cook clucked her tongue in annoyance. ‘This ain’t the first time she’s done this,’ she confided angrily. ‘She did exactly the same to the last little maid she had. The poor girl only stuck it for two weeks. You should have pushed her back. It’s about time somebody gave her some comeuppance and I’d love to be the one to do it an’ all!’ Then seeing how distressed Ruby was her face gentled. ‘Why don’t you go and get cleaned up and change your gown, then come down and I’ll make you a nice cup of tea. I suppose we should just be grateful that she didn’t hurt you, the little minx. But I shall be having a word with Miss Wood about this, never you fear.’

Half an hour later Ruby was back downstairs with her sodden boots in her hand and her filthy dress over her arm.

‘I shall have to let these dry by the fire,’ she told Cook. ‘And I’m afraid I shall have to go barefoot till they dry. I only have the one pair.’

‘Don’t worry about that, I‘m sure we can find you something to wear,’ the woman told her kindly. ‘Take that dress along to the laundry room outside then come and have this hot drink. Let’s just hope you haven’t caught your death of cold!’

When Ruby returned, she found Cook telling Miss Wood what had happened and the housekeeper looked none too pleased. ‘I’m so sorry about this, Ruby,’ she apologised. ‘You can be sure I shall tell Mrs Pembroke what she did.’

‘Huh! An’ a fat lot o’ good that’ll do,’ Cook snorted in disgust. ‘That girl gets away wi’ blue murder, so she does. All the mistress will do is ask her not to do it again and send her on her way. Seems to me the young miss can do as she likes as long as she keeps out of her mother’s way.’

‘Yes, well, I can but try,’ Miss Wood answered with an apologetic smile at Ruby. Thankfully the subject was dropped when the bell from the mistress’s room tinkled.

Betty, who had just sat down for a well-earned tea break, gave an exasperated sigh. ‘Crikey! What does she want now,’ she groaned. ‘She’s had me runnin’ up an’ down them bleedin’ stairs all day!’

‘Language, young lady,’ Miss Wood scolded and looking suitably chastened, Betty hurried upstairs again.

When Miss Wood followed her soon after, Ruby asked, ‘So what’s wrong with the mistress, Cook? You said she’s an invalid?’