It was unkind but I had schooled myself to withstand far worse in the ten years that I had been Robert’s wife. All urge to laugh had flown now; I was acutely conscious that time was running out and that I must simply get rid of her.

“You are crazed,” I said coldly. “Your mind has been turned by grief and I am sorry for it. But I will not kill Robert. He may well prefer to spend his hours with the Queen than with me but he provides well for me. I lack for nothing. I am unlikely to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

She came very close to me. “You lack for nothing but freedom and respect. Aye, I will give you that. And you also lack generosity and love. Your material comfort has been built on the blood of those that Robert has wronged.”

I turned away, tired of her now. Time was running out. I thought I heard the sound of a latch lifting, a step on the stair below. It was time for me to go. I snapped the trunk closed and swung around, heading to the door.

“Go home, Anna,” I said, over my shoulder. “Go back to Antony and listen to him. He can comfort you. And if you are in material need, write to me and I will ask Robert to provide for you too.” I knew that was a lie but in that moment, I would have promised anything to be free of her.

I should not have turned my back on her. I realised it too late. I had walked out of the room without a backward look at her and paused at the top of the stair, expecting to see Richard Varney below. He was not there. No one was there.

I heard the patter of Anna’s running steps behind me. She grasped my sleeve, tugging on it, spinning me about. Her face was a mask of fury.

“Do not walk away from me,” she shouted, shaking my arm. “Do not turn your back on me and dismiss me like a servant!”

I was afraid that all the commotion would disturb Mrs Odingsells. I tried to free my sleeve from Anna’s grasping fingers but as I turned, I caught the heel of my slipper in my gown. Such a small thing, but my head spun and I felt myself teeter dangerously on the top step.

“Amy!” Anna’s voice was loud in my ears. “Amy!”

I lost my footing.

I seemed to fall so slowly. I had so much time and yet so little.

I saw horror replace the anger in Anna’s face. She screamed, her mouth wide with fear.

A man came running. I recognised Richard Varney. Within the jumble of terror and despair that possessed me, I felt one last glimmer of hope.

Richard could have saved me. It would have been a simple matter for him to step forward and catch me. Instead he stepped aside. I had time to see his face, to see the calculation in his eyes, the satisfaction. And then I knew. Robert had double-crossed me. There had never been a plan where I would be free to start a new life. It would have been too much of a risk. Robert needed to make sure he was truly free.