Rose stared at him. On the perimeter of her mind she was aware of the sunny street and warm air, of Betsy’s hand in hers, but it was Nathaniel’s blue eyes that filled her vision and they were as cold as ice. It was nearly a decade since they’d last met and then he had been a strikingly handsome young man. He was still handsome, but the cruelness she had always sensed beneath the surface was now evident in his face. He was bigger, broader, not fatter though, and the lines at the corner of his eyes only served to enhance his good looks. He was the same age as Davey and not yet thirty, but seeing him now he could easily pass for forty. She had to swallow deeply before she could say, ‘What are you doing here?’

He smiled. ‘Well now, I suppose I could be clever here and say I just happened to be passing but we’d both know that was a lie. The truth is, I was looking for you. I’ve been looking for you for a long, long time, Rose.’ His gaze moved to Betsy, who was staring up at him. ‘And this must be Betsy. Hello, hinny,’ he said softly. ‘By, you’re a big girl now. The last time I saw you, you were a little baby in your mam’s arms. I’m your Uncle Nat, Betsy, and your da and I were best pals.’

He put out a hand to stroke the chestnut curls and Rose said sharply, ‘Don’t touch her,’ as she pulled Betsy closer in to her.

His face darkened, the blue eyes narrowing. ‘Don’t be like that, lass, not you. I suggest you’re nice to me and show a little respect. You’ve got a lot to lose if you upset me.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘No? Then let me refresh your memory. Rowlands Gill mill? Ring any bells? Seems the miller there had a nasty accident, but then you know that, don’t you.’