‘Then we are alone, at last, and I hope I may speak freely.’

As freely as you enter my uncle’s house, Harriet thought. She bit her lip and studied her clasped hands. Silas was a prisoner because of her. She would not persuade this man of his innocence by antagonising him.

Mr Boothby was waiting. ‘May I speak freely?’

She looked up and nodded brightly, feigning an interest while her mind was fully occupied with Silas’s predicament. Serious crimes were dealt with at the York or Leeds assizes, but Silas would appear first at the local court where any charges would be levied, and then transferred to jail. She needed to find a way of halting the process before the charges were laid.

‘Walter asked me to protect you, all of you, and that is what I shall do. I shall do it for my friend and business partner.’

Harriet inwardly flinched, but kept her expression neutral when he reached forward to cup her chin, lifting her face so that she was forced to meet his eye. ‘I know you must feel ashamed. I’m sure we can find a way of helping our little temptress to behave herself, eh?’ She couldn’t prevent her eyes from widening. ‘Do not be so hard on yourself. You are not a woman of the world, Harriet. At your age you should be married with a family of your own. Of course, you have your disability – forgive me for making mention of it – and Walter has been content to have you look after his family.’

He relinquished her – she could still feel the imprint of his fingers, but resisted the urge to rub her chin – and sat back. ‘Why, look at all the roles you have played. Governess, housekeeper, hostess… a fine set of attributes…’

Her thoughts returned to Silas, casting about to find a solution. There was something she might do. She straightened, gazing at Mr Boothby’s mouth, paying no heed to the words coming out of it. She would go to the town hall. Yes, this is what she would do. It would have been unthinkable once. Now, stepping inside the municipal headquarters of the town was no longer a daunting prospect. She would seek out the clerk who had thanked her for helping to record the claims, and ask a favour in return.

She realised Mr Boothby had stopped speaking and was regarding her, a self-satisfied smile on his face. ‘I rattle about the place since my wife passed on. We were not blessed with children.’

Harriet went back to staring at her hands. It was the seemly thing to do. Meanwhile, her thoughts raced. If she could make a case for Silas, explain what had really transpired, surely he would be freed? Would any attention be paid to her, a mere woman? All she knew was that she had to try.

‘A pretty young woman such as yourself should not be considering aught except how to become a devoted wife and mother.’ He coughed. ‘Harriet.’