‘And have you considered the fact that any children of their union will grow up having one foot in one class and one foot in another? And they won’t belong in either. Is that really what you want?’ William had said testily.

‘It is not what I would have chosen, no, but as it is a fait accompli and there is nothing we can do, I shall make this woman and her child welcome.’

William remembered this conversation now as he took in the quietly dressed, quite stunningly lovely woman sitting beside Alexander, and as his son rose to his feet and she followed, he said, ‘Good afternoon, Mrs O’Leary. I’m William Bembridge, Alexander’s father,’ as he walked across the room and held out his hand.

Last night he had told himself that his wife was wrong and there was plenty that could be done about the situation. Now, having seen the woman in question, he wasn’t quite so sure. Like Arabella had been, he was taken aback.

The next little while was tense and uncomfortable, and it was a relief to everyone when the tea was finished and Arabella said, ‘I have promised to take Betsy to see Flossie and her puppies, William. Would you like to accompany us?’

Part of him wanted to refuse because he knew full well his wife didn’t trust him to be left alone with Alexander and Rose, but the other part, the part that felt he had been knocked on to the back foot through no fault of his own now he had seen the girl, was keen to escape. Arabella had risen to her feet and was holding out her hand to the child, who he had to admit was a pretty little thing, and now he forced a smile as he too stood up. ‘Just for a few moments, I have things to attend to.’ His voice stiff, he added, ‘Goodbye, Mrs O’Leary’ – she had asked him to call her Rose but he wasn’t about to do that – ‘I hope you enjoy your stay in Scotland.’

‘Thank you, Mr Bembridge. I’m sure I will.’

There it was again, the cool dignity and composure that seemed all wrong from someone of her class, and it was even more irritating because he could see it was genuine. In view of the enormous gulf between their social standing he had expected this widow – if the girl ever had been married, of course – to be subservient and eager to please, or at the very least deferential, but although she had been polite and civil enough there was no humbleness in her manner.

As Arabella led the child from the room he followed, but once outside in the corridor, he said tightly, ‘I’ll see you later at dinner.’