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Chapters (56)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. Prologue
  4. Chapter One
  5. Chapter Two
  6. Chapter Three
  7. Chapter Four
  8. Chapter Five
  9. Chapter Six
  10. Chapter Seven
  11. Chapter Eight
  12. Chapter Nine
  13. Chapter Ten
  14. Chapter Eleven
  15. Chapter Twelve
  16. Chapter Thirteen
  17. Chapter Fourteen
  18. Chapter Fifteen
  19. Chapter Sixteen
  20. Chapter Seventeen
  21. Chapter Eighteen
  22. Chapter Nineteen
  23. Chapter Twenty
  24. Chapter Twenty-One
  25. Chapter Twenty-Two
  26. Chapter Twenty-Three
  27. Chapter Twenty-Four
  28. Chapter Twenty-Five
  29. Chapter Twenty-Six
  30. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  31. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  32. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  33. Chapter Thirty
  34. Chapter Thirty-One
  35. Chapter Thirty-Two
  36. Chapter Thirty-Three
  37. Chapter Thirty-Four
  38. Chapter Thirty-Five
  39. Chapter Thirty-Six
  40. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  41. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  42. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  43. Chapter Forty
  44. Chapter Forty-One
  45. Chapter Forty-Two
  46. Epilogue
  47. Acknowledgements
  48. Also by Rosie Goodwin
  49. About the Author
  50. Welcome to the world of Rosie Goodwin!
  51. Letter from Author
  52. Apple Charlotte
  53. The Precious Stones series
  54. The Days of the Week Collection
  55. Victorian Tales from Memory Lane
  56. Memory Lane Club

‘Huh! If you can call her that.’ Cook shook her head as she rolled the pastry for an apple pie she was making. ‘Between you an’ me, I imagine young Mr Pembroke rues the day he ever met her. Women like her should never get married. She comes from a very wealthy family and was spoilt rotten by her parents. It was clear from the day they wed that she didn’t like . . . shall we say, certain aspects of married life? Which was why we were all shocked when the young master told us they were expecting a child. Admittedly she had a difficult birth with Miss Miranda, but after that she insisted the young master move out of her room. She told him that if she were to have another child, she feared it would kill her, and as far as we can gather, she’s never lain with him since. Poor man. She took to her bed soon after Miranda was born and she’s had the whole household running around after her like headless chickens ever since. I don’t know how the young master puts up with it; he certainly isn’t happy.’

She flushed, realising that she might have said too much, so Ruby took her mug to the sink, rinsed it and went upstairs to see if Miranda needed anything. One thing’s for certain, she thought, this isn’t a happy household but for now I’ll just have to put up with things and hope they improve.

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Two days later when Ruby went into the kitchen early in the afternoon she found Mrs Petty sitting at the table with Cook, and her face lit up at the sight of her.

‘Mrs Petty!’ She flung herself into the woman’s arms, almost making her drop the cup of tea she was holding.

Mrs Petty laughed as she placed it down on the table and hugged her. ‘Hello, bab. I thought I’d call in an’ see how you were settlin’ in and Cook here tells me you’re doin’ just fine.’

Ruby was so pleased to see her that she had to blink to hold back tears as she asked, ‘Is Maddie all right? And Nell?’

‘They’re both fine,’ Mrs Petty assured her as she brushed a stray tear from her cheek with her thumb. ‘But how are you? Standin’ up to that spoilt little madam, are you?’

Ruby shrugged. Miranda was getting no easier. But she was presently having a piano lesson so at least she had a little respite from her for a time. ‘I’m fine.’ Her voice held no conviction and Mrs Petty frowned. She wasn’t at all happy with having to bring her here but it had been the best she could do at short notice so poor Ruby was going to have to stick it out for now.