When Hélène mentioned having seen Annette leaving in the waggon, Rosalie asked guardedly what she had seen. On hearing it was all from her bedroom window, she said, ‘She has gone to the house of the midwife,’ and was surprised when Hélène said, ‘Yes, Madame Sauze told me that.’

‘Did she?’ Rosalie asked sharply. ‘And what else did she say?’

‘Nothing, Maman,’ Hélène said. ‘Just that it was important for her to be with the midwife at a time like this.’

Rosalie gave an inward sigh of relief. Madame Sauze had stuck to her word and said nothing to alert Hélène to the reason she and Annette were at Belair, particularly at such a sensitive time. It might all come out later, of course, but at present there was nothing to spoil the day ahead, and that was as it should be. Later she called Agathe to see her in her parlour.

‘I am sure you want to know how Annette is getting on, and once luncheon has been served please feel free to go into the village and find out.’

‘Thank you, madame,’ Agathe replied. ‘I will go and visit her.’

‘And please let it be known only that she was in labour and has been taken to Madame Leclerc’s for her lying-in. I wish there to be no loose talk among the servants, no gossip to attach to the family. You understand?’

‘Yes, madame, but I have to say that there is already talk in the kitchen – speculation as to what has happened. They were all at table when…’ She paused to choose her words carefully. ‘When it was obvious that the baby was on its way.’

‘There is no need to tell them the sad news yet, however,’ replied her mistress. ‘Let them think she was taken to Madame Leclerc’s early this morning and will be delivered there. Tomorrow will be time enough to tell them that the child was stillborn.’

‘If that is what you wish, madame, but I’m certain Pierre at least knows what has happened.’

‘You need not worry about Pierre. I shall speak to him.’

When Agathe had left the room Rosalie sat and considered what was to be done. No scandal must attach to the family, but there need be none provided those in the know stuck to the agreed story. Annette was a widow carrying a posthumous child and unfortunately, this morning at the home of the midwife, the baby had been stillborn. As far as Rosalie was concerned it must be a blessing in disguise, for how would a girl like Annette have managed to bring up a child on her own, with no money and no prospects of a job, as she had to nurse the child?

Maybe, she thought, the girl herself will greet the news with relief. She’ll be able to put it all behind her and live the rest of her life free of the shame.

Well, Rosalie decided with a mental shake, she would give it no further thought today. There were the family staying in the house to consider, and she had no wish for them to hear what had happened. She would play with the children in the afternoon and then they all had to prepare to attend the ball this evening. Agathe Sauze could deal with Annette. She had proved herself a trustworthy servant, able to keep a still tongue, and she would be rewarded with the position of housekeeper now that Madame Choux seemed to have retired herself. And the girl? Well, she could come back to work in a week or so, once she had got over the birth. After all, she was a good worker and would be in need of a job. All in all, things had worked out for the best.