Within days of him starting work everyone was singing Bill’s praises.

‘Have you taken a peek at the orchard?’ Cook asked Miss Wood as they sat in the kitchen over morning coffee. ‘Why, he’s scythed all the grass down an’ done all the prunin’ in there already. I’ve never seen it look so tidy an’ I wouldn’t mind bettin’ we’ll have a bumper crop of apples an’ pears this year. An’ he’s plantin’ in the kitchen garden now. He’s a good lad, I tell you.’

‘Yes, he is proving to be a pleasant young man,’ Miss Wood agreed approvingly. ‘And he’s so obliging and polite. I had to tell him to finish work at seven o’ clock last night or I’m sure he would have gone on.’

Ruby entered the kitchen to fetch a cold drink for Miranda, and hearing them saying how well Bill was doing she smiled. They still didn’t know each other well, but she had taken to Bill from the first moment they’d met and it was nice to have him working here.

When she’d left the room, Miss Wood lowered her voice to ask, ‘And has there been any change in Ruby’s, er . . . condition? I’ve noticed she’s been looking very peaky this last few weeks.’

The smile slid from Cook’s face as she shook her head. ‘Not that I know of. She’s stopped bein’ sick of a mornin’ but have you noticed how tight her dress is gettin’ across her chest? If she is expectin’ a baby we can’t ignore it much longer.’

‘No, I know.’ Miss Wood tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the table. ‘I suppose I should speak to her and get the doctor to have a look at her. But I hate the thought of what might happen to her if she is having a child. The mistress would have her out on the street straightaway but I can’t help but think that if she is, it isn’t her fault. She’s little more than a child herself and not that sort of girl at all. Do you think someone could have forced themselves on her?’

Cook sighed. ‘I’ve no idea. I only know that time is goin’ on an’ it needs to be addressed.’

‘Very well, leave it with me,’ Miss Wood said reluctantly, standing up and heading for the door.

*

Later that morning, Miranda met Bill for the first time and she was instantly smitten with him. She had gone out to get some fresh air and the minute she saw him digging in the kitchen garden she stopped abruptly in her tracks. He had rolled his shirt sleeves up, showing his muscular arms and his thick dark hair was flopping across his forehead, and she had a sudden urge to stroke it back for him.