A hard, disapproving look shot across Lord Stow’s face.

‘Have you come here to blackmail me?’

Flushing, Rosie exclaimed, ‘I would never do such a wicked thing, sir!’

‘Then what is your purpose?’

Clearing her throat, Rosie tried to explain. ‘I’ve always felt guilty that I didn’t do or say more at the time of my employment – I thought it was none of my business.’

‘Quite so, it is none of your business what goes on in this house – you were paid to do your job – that’s all,’ he retorted crossly.

‘I agree, sir, which is why I held my tongue for so long, but, as I just said, guilt finally got the better of me. I love Lady Veronica – she is the kindest person I have ever met and I feel impelled to speak the truth.’

Stiffening in distaste at what she had said, Lord Stow snapped, ‘Why trouble yourself now, years after your employment here ended?’

‘Because I have proof, new proof, that the Brigadier’s behaviour is getting worse.’ Seeing his lordship’s expression, Rosie pushed on before he called for the butler to kick her out. ‘My family and I were recently evacuated to the North to a Mother and Baby Home, where I met a young woman who worked with the Brigadier in the War Office. She fell pregnant with his child, and he exiled her to the Home, where she recently gave birth to the Brigadier’s son. After we got to know each other, we realized we had both had very different experiences of the Brigadier – neither of them good.’

Lord Stow gave a slow cynical smile. ‘Ah, I see, it’s a case of two outraged women seeking vengeance.’

Rosie shook her head. ‘I have only one motive, sir.’

Sweeping his eyes over her shabby clothes and broken shoes, Lord Stow looked deeply unimpressed. Knowing she was fast losing the argument, Rosie starkly stated, ‘The Brigadier blackmails her ladyship and misuses family money.’

The look of contempt that had been on Lord Stow’s face throughout most of their conversation suddenly changed to shock.

‘You should be aware what you are accusing my son-in-law of, young lady – slander could land you inside a court room.’

At the point of no return, Rosie pushed on. ‘The Brigadier’s not entirely discreet – even you must have heard the gossip.’ Ignoring Lord Stow’s thunderous expression, Rosie said, ‘The truth is, when your daughter threatens to leave the Brigadier, he says he’ll publicly announce who Marigold’s real father is – he uses blackmail to keep his wife’s mouth shut.’

Lord Stow rose from his chair and strode moodily about the room.

‘I ask again – why did you never speak to her ladyship yourself?’ he demanded.

‘As I said, I thought it was not my place, sir.’

‘Yet you come here and bother me now?’ he repeated himself.