‘She’s just doing an errand for James; he needed some ink to be collected from the printer’s. He barely had to ask her and could hardly believe her eagerness, for she usually turns her nose up at errands, but she went straight away. I think she knows that he is still in quite a bit of pain with his leg, although he dare not complain when he’s in my company. He knows that he will not get any sympathy from me. After all, he’s only got himself to blame.’ Isabelle sighed. It would take longer than a few months for her to forgive James for all the hurt he’d caused, and she was not about to show any weakness on her side of the marriage.

‘I was hoping you would have advertised for a new seamstress by now. Winter is fast approaching and I don’t want to be travelling from up at Crummock to Skipton each day. Besides, I probably won’t be able to, for the road soon gets blocked with snow, you know that.’ Harriet looked at Isabelle.

‘How can I forget, Harriet? Don’t you worry – I placed an advertisement in the local paper just last week, as I knew that although you are enjoying your time with us, it would not be practical for you to work here over the winter. Let’s say that I have learned from my shameful past mistakes. Hopefully, by spring, Jane will have learned well enough to follow in your footsteps anyway. Then, if you wish, you can join us as and when you please, as it is a joy to be working with you again, dear sister.’ Isabelle walked over to her sister-in-law and hugged her tightly. ‘Are you doing anything special for Rosie’s birthday next week? It’s not every day a girl is seventeen.’

‘No, she says she doesn’t want any fuss, she just wants a quiet day. No doubt Ethan will come into it somewhere along the line. He seems to have replaced us in her affections. I just wish she wasn’t so young, for there will be time for men in her life, and he’s the first one she’s known.’ Harriet looked up at Isabelle and then decided to keep her thoughts to herself. Isabelle was being very understanding, but she was no doubt hiding her true thoughts about her niece’s love affair. She remembered the caustic remarks about Ethan the last time he had come up in conversation. Still, she was glad that Isabelle had placed an advertisement for her position, for during the winter she was better up at the farm, which was where she belonged the most and where she would be needed, if snow came.