‘Sarah … Sarah Swaine.’ Of course Dora knew the woman’s name. They’d have been related by now, had she not died.

‘Aye, I reckon you’re right. Sarah Swaine; looked like an angel, God bless her. It’s a shame, but there we are. Life doesn’t always deal us the best cards … although there’s some have a good hand and don’t even know it. It’s time your Phil grew out of feeling inferior to Tom, bucked up and thanked the Good Lord that he has a beautiful wife and two lovely daughters.’

Philip came up the stairs with two cups of tea on a tray.

‘Oh, you’ve managed that,’ said Betty without sarcasm. ‘Well done, lad. Now I’m off when I’ve had this cuppa, but I was just saying, you’ve much to be thankful for with a good woman like Dora and now two lovely babes. Think on it and don’t be starting no more of your nonsense …’

Philip, cowed by the efficiency of the forthright midwife, with her plain speaking and her knowledge of the mysteries of women’s matters – and, it was said, other mysteries – retreated downstairs once more. When Betty had gone, he went to view his new daughter again, but though he tried to see a resemblance between himself and the baby, whom Dora suggested they call Georgina, he could not warm to her. The crescent-shaped birthmark looked prominent on the baby’s soft skin, mocking him, identical to the one he’d seen all his life on his brother’s arm.

‘Georgina it is, if that’s what you want,’ he shrugged. ‘The girl’s name’s nowt to do with me. I’ll be off up to the farm first thing to collect my little Nellie and bring her home. For all she’s taken to young Edward Beveridge, she’ll be glad to be home with her dad.’

‘And her mum, and her new baby sister,’ said Dora, but Philip had turned away and didn’t answer her.

Dora rubbed her eyes and sighed. Oh, Tom … It was her joy to see him on the days she was working at the Hall, and also her torment. She wanted to pretend they were just in-laws and old friends who had known each other for years, yet in all honesty he meant so much more than that. She wanted to be a loyal wife to Philip, yet how could a loyal wife be in love with her husband’s brother?

If only it had been different. If only … No, don’t even think of it! She was married to Phil and that was that. They had two lovely daughters and at least one was a credit to them.