‘Oh, darling, surely not.’ Lydia’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘I-I couldn’t bear it if you did that. Please give her one more chance. I’m sure she won’t upset anyone again!’

Oscar Pembroke felt himself weakening, just as he always did. Even now Lydia could always make him feel guilty, as if somehow the reclusive state she had resorted to was his fault.

‘Very well.’ His shoulders sagged and his temper subsided as quickly as it had come. ‘But only one more chance, mind you,’ he warned. ‘Enough is enough. One more incident and I shall have no option but to send her away. Do you both understand?’

Their two heads nodded quickly in unison as he turned to leave the room. Suddenly the sight of them both sickened him and he just wanted to find sanctuary in his workshop.

*

In the kitchen they heard the door slam as he left the drawing room and Cook let out a sigh. ‘Crikey, sounds like he really lost his temper,’ she said. ‘An’ it sounds like that little madam is goin’ to get her comeuppance if she don’t start behavin’ herself.’

Ruby chewed on her lip as she stared fearfully towards the door. She had no doubt that Mr Pembroke might have unwittingly made things worse for her. Miranda was sure to be out for revenge now and the thought made her stomach churn. She quietly stood up from her chair and made for the door; there was a pile of Miranda’s clean washing that had just been ironed and needed putting away, and it wouldn’t do itself.

She had just reached the door with it in her arms when Cook’s voice stayed her. ‘Don’t you go puttin’ up wi’ any more nonsense from her now. Do you hear me? If she starts bein’ spiteful again come an’ tell me or Miss Wood straightaway an’ we’ll have a word wi’ the master.’

Ruby realised Cook meant well but knowing Miranda as she did, she knew that things were probably set to get worse now, rather than better, and she went on her way with a heavy heart.

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Although Miranda ignored Ruby completely for the next two days, she at least left her alone and Ruby was pleasantly surprised. And then at last it was Sunday and Ruby was looking forward to seeing Nell again and having a whole afternoon and evening to herself. She hurried through tidying Miranda’s bedroom in the morning while Miranda was at church with her father, then after brushing her hair into a neat plait and fetching her shawl, she sat anxiously watching the clock in the kitchen as she waited for Nell to arrive after lunch.