Rosalind stared at him in astonishment. ‘Even if that were so, you can’t blame those innocent children for the faults of their parents. It will be up to us to see that they take the right path.’

‘I know you are doing this out of the goodness of your heart, but I draw the line at becoming their guardian, and the law prohibits you as a woman from acting as a guardian, and that includes our own child.’

Rosalind faced him mutinously. ‘Even so, I will see that they receive an education, and when they are older they can choose what they want to do.’

‘I thought that Nancy’s ambition was to become a lady’s maid,’ Piers said, smiling. ‘Educate them, by all means, but I think Louise was right. They will have to find their place in the world one day, and if you give them too many grand ideas they will face rejection from many quarters.’

‘What do you think, Hester?’ Rosalind turned to her eagerly. ‘Am I wrong to want the best for the two children we’ve taken into our household?’

‘Of course not, poppet, but Piers is right and I suspect that Louise Shaw put it better than either of us. Teach them to read and write and add up, but allow them to find their own way. I’ve seen young Tommy’s face when he’s in the stables with Gurney. Nancy enjoys sewing and anything to do with keeping your gowns in perfect condition. Your room has never been so tidy and your hankies, stockings and undergarments are all folded and put away neatly. She does all this without being asked because she loves you and she enjoys doing things like that. It isn’t work to her.’

Rosalind smiled reluctantly. ‘All right. I’ve listened to everyone and I have to admit you’re right. They will receive a basic education, and they can do what they like with their free time. In fact I’ll go and find them now and have a word.’

‘I still think you’re doing too much,’ Piers said stubbornly. ‘You should get more rest in your condition.’

‘Nonsense, I’ve given the teaching to Louise, and Hester is virtually running the household. I’m just not the sort of person who can sit and do nothing, Piers. You ought to know that by now.’

‘Yes, of course I do.’ Piers and Hester exchanged resigned looks but Rosalind ignored them. She left the room and made her way to the stables where she was greeted ecstatically by Bob her devoted Labrador. ‘Down, boy,’ she said laughing. ‘You can come with me and help me find those children.’

Gurney popped his head out of one of the stalls. ‘I think you’ll find them in that there tree house, ma’am. They’ve took to playing with some of the local young ’uns.’