The voice was what she expected, Arabella thought, and denoted the girl’s beginnings, and yet even that wasn’t quite true. Whilst most of their social circle took care that their children were educated in a way that made sure they had no trace of an accent, there were still one or two who spoke with the Northern burr. ‘It’s a pleasure,’ she said softly. ‘Any friend of Alexander’s is welcome in our home.’ She smiled down at the child, who was looking up at her while clutching a handful of her mother’s skirt. ‘Alexander tells me you like cats, is that right, Betsy?’ And as the child nodded, she said, ‘Dogs too? Good. I have a little spaniel who has just had puppies. Would you like to see them after tea?’

Betsy stared at the grand lady who was dressed so beautifully. Her childish intuition told her that although the lady was being nice and happy she was sad inside, and this took away some of her shyness and enabled her to say, ‘Yes, please. What is your little doggie’s name?’

‘Her name is Flossie.’

The child is quite enchanting, Arabella thought, and it softened her voice still more when she said, ‘She’s five years old today, as it happens.’

‘Really? It’s her birthday?’ Betsy let go of Rose’s skirt. ‘Have you bought her a present?’

Arabella shook her head. ‘No, but that is a very good idea, Betsy. Shall we save her some cake this afternoon and then perhaps you would like to give it to her when you see her puppies?’

Betsy nodded and then said solemnly, ‘But are you sure you wouldn’t like to give her the cake because you’re her mammy?’

Arabella was surprised by the rush of affection she felt for this quaint little girl who seemed older than her years, but then growing up without a father must have had an effect on her. ‘Quite sure,’ she said smilingly, just as the door opened and the butler entered, carrying an enormous silver tray on which reposed a fine bone china tea service. The footman who had opened the door to them followed pushing a tea trolley. It had three shelves and these were laden with plates holding small, daintily cut sandwiches, pastries and a variety of sweetmeats.

‘We’ll serve ourselves, thank you, Henderson,’ Arabella said to the butler who bowed before arranging the tray on a gilt table at his mistress’s side, and then he and the footman brought other small tables alongside the two couches where Alexander, Rose and Betsy were sitting before leaving the room.