Fanny studied her lap. There was a whole other layer to this calumny which she had not yet considered. Her brother William was now ordained … he adored Ned and would never refuse him … Her throat became hot. The flush rose on her face. Were all the Knights in on the conspiracy? Even her father had seemed to warn her of something … That left-out feeling came back, sharper than ever: pierced through her good, loving heart. She suddenly felt entirely alone.

They both fell into silence – he now brooding; she urgently groping for a way through. For if the two families should be cast asunder by this, then Fanny could never know contentment again …

‘Dear husband.’ She tried once again to make him see sense. ‘I feel your grief and – believe me! – I share it. They have inflicted on you – on us all – the most grave injustice. They have wounded your pride. Yet still, for all that, nothing can change the fact that Mary Dorothea is your daughter. You cannot simply reject her!’

‘Madam, believe me!’ Though he still spoke in rage, hot tears of true grief now spilled from his eyes. ‘I can and I must! How can you, of all people, expect otherwise? I forbade, I forewarned – I made it abundantly clear that I would never forgive. And I did so for the sake of our family – for the rest of our children. So what choice am I left with?’ His substantial being seemed suddenly small. ‘My hands are quite tied.’

‘But – sir – you love her! You love her deeply and honourably. You are the most excellent parent!’

‘No more, madam.’ Sir Edward presented his palm as if swearing an oath. ‘I am her father no more.’

‘Oh, dear good Sir Edward.’ Fanny fell to her knees, clasped her hands as if in supplication. ‘Oh, excellent man! Cast your mind back to that Easter, two years ago – when Mary was so ill that we feared for her life. You wept, you implored the Good Lord that He spare her. I am your witness.’

Fanny could never forget it. Such was his passion, she – then childless and bitter at it – had felt a horrible jealousy. It had been a moment of great personal shame.

‘Better He had taken her then!’ Sir Edward burst out.

‘No!’ Fanny leaped to her feet in sheer horror. ‘Husband, I pray you remain mindful of your good, Christian feelings! What is left for us all if we do not suffer the Good Lord and His influence?’

Sir Edward’s countenance darkened. Even his piercing blue eyes appeared to turn black. ‘May He forgive me, but in this I am sure.

‘’Twould be easier for me now if my daughter were dead.’

CHAPTER XXXVI