She was so lucky – that is what Fanny kept telling herself as she lay on her old bed, looked up at the silk drapes she once used to sleep under and blinked back the tears. Look at the difference in her position from last year to this! A solicitous husband – really, the kindest of men, at all the right moments. He might be irascible with others – she reached into her bodice and took out her handkerchief – but never with Fanny. He loved her! Already, Sir Edward loved her. And, in truth, she was becoming quite used to him; fond, indeed. Certainly, a sense of companionship had grown up between them.

And Mersham-le-Hatch was an excellent house. Yes, it might be a little tired in places, but, thanks to Lady Banks, the ceiling had been secured and renovations were due to begin in the New Year. It would soon return to its glory with Fanny as its mistress. And, most importantly, it was almost close by: just a horse ride away. How many brides get to stay so near to home, once they are wed?

Moreover, by some great quirk of good fortune, Fanny somehow seemed to have almost doubled her family, while halving her responsibilities. She was still in constant touch with all her darling Knights, but it was dear Marianne who ran the house and their lives now – and seemed to do so perfectly well. Certainly, Fanny was rarely asked for advice, or minded to offer it.

And as for the stepchildren – well, they barely impinged. Poor Norton had now followed his father to Winchester College – a sticky start, she gathered, but no doubt he would settle down there, in time; Wyndham was gone to prep school; the two little ones lodged out with a master and rarely came home. And now, Sir Edward had hired some splendid governess to take over Mary. Of course, Fanny would still be – to all intents and purposes – the girl’s mother, and from now on they would be spending as much time together as they possibly could. The new governess would merely provide that little bit extra. Really, what could be more pleasant and easy? So why was she was so tired all the time, and generally feeble? There was no earthly excuse for it.

She rang for Sayce, and determined to pull herself together.

‘Good morning, Marianne my dear.’ Fanny placed dish back in saucer, and dabbed at her lips with a napkin. ‘Of course, we two are the first down.’ She smiled and rolled her eyes in a gesture of sympathy. ‘No rest for us!’

‘Do you have a busy day ahead, Fanny?’ Marianne ran an eye over the breakfast provisions, lifted a dome to check the warmth of the pork. ‘I hope you find some time to relax.’ She sat down and flicked through her pile of letters.