‘And there’s no need for that attitude. Ruby’s independence and strength of character are to be applauded.’ Clarissa stared in exasperation at the brother she adored. Edward had just arrived from London for the weekend; this had been happening a couple of times a month since she had introduced him to Ruby and whilst she was always glad to see him, it worried her that the feeling he had for Ruby seemed to border on obsession at times. Next to Godfrey she loved Edward best in all the world, but her affection didn’t blind her to her brother’s self-centredness or the fact that Edward was used to getting what he wanted. Like herself, he had a strong character – their brothers Cuthbert and Leonard were weak men in comparison – and also like herself Edward could be selfish and stubborn. But then wasn’t everyone selfish to some degree or other? More gently now, she said, ‘Ruby will be quite all right. Sunderland is hardly a den of iniquity, no more than anywhere else, anyway, and she will be back on Monday evening. She’s only gone for a long weekend.’

Edward wouldn’t be soothed. He was furious with Clarissa. By her own admission, Ruby was heartbroken at the death of her childhood friend and the circumstances as related by Clarissa would be enough to stop even the most hardened individual in their tracks. And Ruby wasn’t hard. Oh, she might put on a tough front – he supposed that was necessary for a single woman making her own way in the world – and yes, she was determined to be autonomous and stand on her own two feet as he had learned to his cost, but the soft centre she tried to hide was there all right and it could be her undoing if she saw this fellow who had let her down so badly again. What if she still loved him? She had never spoken about the matter to him and he had no idea if this was the case, but Ruby’s refusal to have anything to do romantically with the opposite sex pointed to some feeling still being there.

Glaring at Clarissa, he growled, ‘You should have told me.’