‘And then I found out about the letters.’ Edward’s expression was bleak. ‘Can’t you try to imagine how I felt?’ he pleaded with her. ‘It was as if all my worst fears had come true, that you had feelings for him after all …’

‘I felt sorry for him, that’s all.’ But even as she said it, Anna knew it wasn’t true. What had started out as a gesture of pity had turned into a warm friendship. She wanted to be completely honest with Edward, but she felt wary of his rage.

‘I know that now. I let my jealousy get the better of me, and I was cruel to you.’ His voice faltered. ‘I was hoping you might find it in your heart to forgive me, that we could make a new start this morning, pretend it had never happened. But I know now that’s too much to ask. I could see it in your eyes when you looked at me this morning. I was a fool to think you could forget something like that. How can I expect you to forgive me when I can’t forgive myself?’ He dropped his gaze. ‘I’ve ruined everything, and I’m deeply sorry. If you want me to leave, I’ll understand …’

‘No.’ The word was out before she had even had a chance to think about it. Edward looked up, his blue eyes full of hope.

‘I’m still angry with you,’ she said. ‘You hurt me, and you frightened me, and it will take a long time to put that behind me. But – I want to try,’ she went on. ‘I understand this must have been a lot for you, coming out of the army and getting married and moving back here. You need time and patience while you get used to it all.’

She thought about all the soldiers on the ward, their outbursts of temper and frustration as they slowly and painfully tried to adjust to their new lives.

She looked up at him. ‘I want to make this marriage work, Edward. If you do?’

‘Oh, Anna!’

Edward took a step towards her, but she backed away sharply. He stopped, crestfallen, his hands falling to his sides.

‘Sweetheart, I’m sorry,’ he said quietly. ‘I just want to love you, that’s all. I’ll never hurt you again, I swear.’

Anna looked into his face and saw the tender sorrow in his eyes.

‘I’m scared,’ she whispered.

‘I know, darling. But let me try again, please. It will be better this time, I promise.’

And it was. Anna was nervous as Edward led her upstairs to the bedroom. But this time he was different. He undressed her carefully, as if she was a delicate piece of china, trailing feathery kisses on her bare skin. His lips and fingers worked with infinite loving gentleness, so that by the time he laid her on the bed, Anna was trembling with anticipation and longing instead of fear.

Afterwards, she lay in his arms, her head resting against his broad, muscular chest. Her fingers traced the scars of the gas burns as she breathed in the clean soapy smell of him. Outside, dawn was breaking and the street was coming to life, the steady clopping of horses’ hooves and the squeak of cart wheels mingling with the sound of Mrs Hudson berating Mr Hudson as he opened up the shop.