She approached him boldly and gave him what she hoped was her most winning smile. ‘Good morning. You must be the new gardener-cum-groom.’

He glanced up at her pudgy, plain face and guessed instantly that this must be Miranda, the daughter of the house.

He nodded. ‘I am, miss.’

She waited for him to say more but when he continued with his digging she rushed on, ‘I’m Miranda . . . this is my parents’ house.’

He nodded again but continued working and she began to feel annoyed. Surely he should be pleased that she was bothering to speak to him? He was only a servant, after all. Even so she was experiencing a strange feeling in her stomach, like a million little butterflies fluttering about, and she found she was unable to drag her eyes away from the muscles in his arms. She had never felt like this before so she went on, ‘It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?’

‘Yes, miss, but I have work to do so if you don’t mind, I’d best get on.’ He would have liked to tell her to clear off after hearing how she treated Ruby but he was no fool and guessed that it would likely cost him his new job.

‘Er . . . yes, yes of course. I’ve no doubt we’ll meet again.’ She could feel the colour burning into her cheeks as she turned away and for the rest of the day she could think of little else but the new employee.

As Ruby was helping her to get changed for dinner that evening, Miranda said casually, ‘I understand you know the new gardener, Ruby?’

Ruby was taken aback. It was one of the very rare occasions when Miranda had spoken to her civilly. ‘Yes, miss, I do, but not well.’

‘Just how well?’

Ruby was aware that Miranda was watching her closely and she shrugged. ‘We met a short time ago. He knew the people I last stayed with.’

There followed a string of questions about him, many of which Ruby could not answer, and she wondered why Miranda was showing such an interest in him. She usually treated all the servants as menials and had no interest in them. At last the bell sounded for dinner and Miranda left her to tidy her room while she went down to dine with her father. Mrs Pembroke had taken to her bed again, but Ruby was getting used to that now.

Once the family had been served the staff sat down to eat and Bill joined them, his mouth watering at the sight of the large steak and kidney pie and the dishes of steaming vegetables Cook had made for them. He had never eaten so well in his life and was thoroughly enjoying living and working there.