John stopped painting his picture of Thunder and looked up, frowning. “What thought?”

“Well, I have to go away for a little, like Papa, and your Grandmamma has asked a Miss Smith to come and teach you some new things.”

John’s frown deepened. “I don’t want you to go away.”

“Oh, just for a while,” Philomena kept her voice calm and cheerful. “Soon, Papa will be back and you can tell him all the new things Miss Smith teaches.”

John thought for a moment and then smiled. “I’ll tell you as well, Miss ’Mena.” He dipped his brush in purple paint and began to layer it in long strokes for Thunder’s mane. Philomena turned away. He must not see the pain in her face.

When the Dowager made a decision, no time was lost in its implementation, and the day of departure soon came. Miss Smith, the new governess, would arrive after Philomena left the house, for which Philomena gave thanks. She could not bear to meet the person who would take her place in John’s life.

Philomena was to travel by train, but this time with a first class ticket to Bristol. The Dowager, to the astonishment of the butler charged with procuring the ticket, insisted the nursemaid must travel in comfort, although her benevolence did not stretch to the provision of a companion. Unwilling to listen to servant gossip and determined not to ask questions, the Dowager knew nothing of Hugh’s plans. Selena remarked that she hoped Philomena would run into Hugh in Bristol and that he would bring her back to the Hall. Philomena kept her own council.

The coachman was to drive Philomena to the station and see her safely onto the Bristol train. Philomena, though, had other ideas. Each night since the Dowager had ordered her from the Hall, she had lain awake, deciding what best to do.

She realised that her escape from London had been rushed and poorly managed. The result was confusion and unhappiness. She had left with insufficient resources. She could not regret the hasty actions, for she would never forget either John or Hugh. She struggled to hold back tears at the thought of a future without them. Those few short Christmas days of utter joy would stay in her memory forever. Once the first pain had passed, she would remember them with happiness.

Once she had left the Hall, she would be strong. She would not jump, eyes closed to the consequences, into another mad adventure. Sadder and wiser than just a few weeks ago, Philomena had devised a new and more sensible plan.