Agathe surveyed her and then said with a smile, ‘You’ll do.’ Then, with a more serious expression, she went on, ‘Remember, Annette, that Madame St Clair has put her trust in us, taking us on here. I can see that Madame Choux is not pleased with our arrival, but whatever happens, we must not cause any disharmony below stairs. She may well find fault with you, whatever she gives you to do, but if she does, simply duck your head and accept her comments without fuss. If we lose our jobs here, there will be nowhere else to go.’

‘I know,’ returned Annette tightly.

‘I know you know,’ said Agathe soothingly, ‘but it may not be easy, that’s all. There’s sure to be speculation about you and the baby, so we have to be certain to stick to our story.’

She reached forward and took the girl’s hand. ‘Come on then, let’s go and face Madame Cabbage.’ That elicited a smile from Annette and together they went down to the kitchen.

Although Madame Choux slept on the servants’ landing, not two doors away from Agathe and Annette, she also had her own tiny parlour off the kitchen and it was there that she waited for them.

‘You took your time,’ she snapped. ‘You can leave the door.’ They did as she said, even though it meant that everything she said to them could be overheard by those working – or simply listening – in the kitchen.

‘Madame St Clair has written a letter,’ she began, ‘and tells me I am to use you wherever I need you as we prepare for the wedding. I do not know why she has employed you at all. I have no need of anyone else; the servants we have here are more than able to cope with such preparations.’ There was an edge of anger in her voice, but she continued. ‘However, I will of course follow Madame’s orders.’ She pointed to Annette. ‘You, girl, are a maid-of-all-work. You will work in the laundry, the kitchen or as a chambermaid, wherever I tell you.’ She glowered at Annette. ‘You understand?’

Remembering Agathe’s admonition, Annette ducked her head and murmured, ‘Yes, madame.’

For a moment the housekeeper eyed her suspiciously and then gave a brief nod and said, ‘Into the kitchen with you and find Cook. She’ll have plenty of work for you.’ She did not ask either of the newcomers if she had eaten, simply waved her hand at the door and turned her attention back to Agathe. Taking this dismissal, Annette went out into the kitchen where she was greeted by the cook who gave her a far warmer welcome.

‘Annette, is it? I’m Madame Paquet; I’m the cook and’ – her eyes flicked to the parlour door – ‘it’s my kitchen. I’m pleased to see you. We can do with another pair of hands in here.’ She glanced down at the roundness of Annette’s stomach and went on. ‘I see you’re in trouble—’ she began, but Annette interrupted her.