Miss Wood stared thoughtfully into space for a while, tapping her lip with her forefinger, before finally saying, ‘Let’s do nothing for now, eh? Let’s just watch and see what happens and hope you’re mistaken.’

Cook nodded reluctantly. She didn’t think she was mistaken and she couldn’t help worrying about what was to come, but for now she would do as Miss Wood suggested, although she would be keeping a close eye on little Ruby.

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Early in March, much to everyone’s relief, the weather began to improve and suddenly the trees were showing tiny, tender green shoots, and daffodils and primroses began to peep from beneath the hedges.

Miranda had now made a full recovery from her cold, although it hadn’t improved her temper and she continued to be spiteful. Ruby was quite proud of the fact that as yet she had been able to put up with her sulks and tantrums, especially as she wasn’t feeling well herself. Admittedly the awful sickness she had been experiencing each morning had eased but now her breasts were sore and tender and she felt tired all the time. Even so she still did all that was asked of her and one morning while Miranda was in with her tutor, Cook asked her, ‘You couldn’t take this tray o’ coffee through to the master’s workshop for me, could you, bab?’ Betty would usually do this, but she had gone to do some shopping for Cook, so Ruby was the only person she could ask.

‘The workshop?’ Ruby frowned. ‘But I thought no one but the master himself was allowed in there.’ The thought of taking coffee to Mr Pembroke made her nervous, but she was also a little excited at the prospect of seeing the workshop.

‘They ain’t when he’s not there,’ Cook admitted with a smile. ‘But I reckon he’ll be glad to let you in wi’ a tray o’ coffee an’ biscuits. So go on, get off with you.’

Ruby obediently lifted the tray and carefully carried it along the long hallway to a door at the far end. Balancing it in one hand she knocked on the door. ‘Come in,’ a voice said, and when she entered the room her eyes grew wide. There were all sorts of pieces of machinery everywhere and the master was leaning across a worktop scattered with partially completed pieces of jewellery set with gems that glistened in the weak March sunshine that shone through the window and cast rainbows across the ceilings and the walls. Ruby was so taken with the kaleidoscope of colours that she just stood there with her mouth open.

‘Good morning, Ruby.’

Mr Pembroke’s voice broke the spell and she started, almost dropping the tray before she said nervously, ‘I, er . . . I brought you your coffee, sir.’