Henry went into the drawing room where there was a trolley full of tea things, cakes and sandwiches. He picked up a paper-thin paste sandwich and popped it into his mouth, carefully avoiding his moustache. He wished the old girl would hurry up, he was due home for dinner. His wife’s father was coming today and he wanted to be with Isabel when he arrived. She was acting very strangely lately, and he was concerned about what she might hint to her family. Luckily Lord Barkham was not a listener to women’s gossip, having no time for his wife or indeed his daughter. Henry was pretty certain he would pooh-pooh anything she said. Nevertheless, he would like to be there during the visit.

Mrs Horlock came in with the freshly made tea and as she sat down Henry smiled at her faintly.

‘Well, what’s going on?’

‘It seems Miss Briony is pregnant.’

‘She’s what!’

‘She’s pregnant, sir. I’ve had the doctor in and he’s certain.’

‘God’s teeth, woman, how did that happen?’

Mrs Horlock suppressed a smile. If you don’t know, she thought, I’m not about to enlighten you.

‘It’ll have to go, Mrs Horlock.’

‘My sentiments entirely, sir.’

‘And so will the blasted baby!’

Mrs Horlock looked hard at him and he felt a flush of shame.

‘With all due respect, sir, it’s not Briony’s fault, now is it?’

Her own words shocked her. Never before had she reproached the man for anything. She had always been a willing accomplice to his schemes, but Briony Cavanagh had got under her skin and into her heart. Oh, Maria knew the child was a mercenary little bitch, but she did what she did more for her family than herself, and for her corrupter completely to disregard the child after all she done for him over the last sixteen months brought a feeling akin to anger. Briony was the child she had never had. The girl trusted her, and there had been more fun and laughter in her life in the last year or so than ever before.

‘Really, Mrs Horlock, I think you’re forgetting yourself. Something like this is not to be taken lightly.’

Mrs Horlock smiled grimly and interrupted him. ‘I understand the situation, sir, better than you think. I will arrange with Dr Carlton for the removal of the ... of the baby. I don’t think Briony would want to have it at her age. Then we’ll have to get our thinking caps on about the best thing to do once it’s all over.’

Henry relaxed then, and sipped his tea.

‘Of course, Mrs Horlock. I’ll leave it all in your capable hands.’

She smiled at him. Thinking to herself all the while: Don’t you always leave your dirty work to me?