Briony nodded again. It was as it should be. If Isabel had said that Henry was pleased with the child it would have troubled her. If the child was to stay with the Dumases, as it was, she didn’t want Henry Dumas to stake too large a claim. For the child’s own safety.

Isabel swept the hair from Briony’s forehead and smiled. ‘I know it’s hard to give him up, dear. If I had birthed him, it would break my heart to give him up. But it’s all for the best. After all, what would you do with a child, no man and no money? What would your mother and sisters do?’

Even as she spoke the veiled threat, Isabel felt a disgust with herself that was forced down by her need to keep what she had taken. It would do no harm to remind Briony of the consequences of any rash actions.

‘I have arranged for two thousand pounds to be made available to you. Once you’re up and about I shall take you personally to see the banker and to find out how to write cheques. The house is going into your name as well. You’ll be a woman of substance and wealth. The next child you have will be born to something better than you were. The world’s out there waiting for you, Briony Cavanagh, and I have no doubt, no doubt at all that, you’ll be someone in it!’

Briony didn’t respond. She was more than aware of what all this talk was really about. It was about Isabel’s having the child in exchange for giving Briony comfort and money. The two things that had brought her to this house would now be used to trap her.

‘Thank you very much, but I just want to get back on my feet for now. I’ll think about the future then.’

‘As you wish. I’ve arranged all your menus for the next few days and I’ll pop in again tomorrow to see you.’

Briony knew the woman wanted to get away from her. Knew that she wanted to be back in her own home with the child.

Isabel kissed Briony’s cheek with hot feverish lips. Suddenly, she had to get out of here and away from this creature in the bed. Even as she thought it she knew she was being unfair. But like everything that is used for the wrong reasons, Briony was a source of annoyance. Isabel admitted to herself that a large part of her feelings was of guilt. As she walked to the door, Briony’s voice stayed her.

‘What did you call him, Isabel? What’s his name?’

She turned once more and smiled gently. ‘He’s Benedict. Benedict Dumas.’

Briony nodded and looked out of the window where she could see the roofs of the houses opposite and an expanse of blue sky.