‘I don’t know how to thank you, ma’am,’ Eliza said tearfully.

‘You have rights like anyone else, Mrs Madge. If you have problems I want you to come to me.’ Rosalind glanced at the eldest of the children still at home with their mother. ‘How old are you, Jennet?’

‘I’m nine, missis.’

‘Manners, Jennet.’ Eliza frowned at her daughter. ‘It’s “ma’am” or “Mrs Blanchard”.’

‘That’s all right, Mrs Madge,’ Rosalind said, smiling. ‘If Jennet is interested there is always work in the grounds at Rockwood Castle. I’ll tell Abe Coaker to be on the lookout for her. I’m sure he can find work for Jennet. The wage isn’t huge, but it would be the same wherever she went to work.’

‘I’m more than grateful, ma’am.’

‘We’ll say no more about it, Mrs Madge. Consider yourself debt free and we’ll start afresh next month. I know exactly how hard it is to get by when money is tight.’

‘I don’t know what to say, ma’am.’

Rosalind turned to Ralph Lambert, who was standing just a few feet away, scowling. ‘I expect you heard that, Mr Lambert. Mrs Madge owes nothing. I hope we understand each other.’

He tipped his hat. ‘Perfectly, ma’am.’ He strode away, swishing his riding crop as if cutting down a field of ripened corn.

Rosalind said her goodbyes to the family and climbed into the trap. She urged Ajax to a walk and they set off, but as she drove past the home wood she heard the sound of a horse’s hoofs. Lambert drew up alongside the trap.

‘Mrs Blanchard, I would ask you respectfully not to countermand my orders in future.’

‘I thought I had made it clear that your powers are limited, Mr Lambert. I speak for my brother when it comes to managing Rockwood. You are hired to collect rents and deal with tenants’ problems. I do not expect you to send the bailiffs in to a poor widow who is struggling to bring up her family.’

‘Nevertheless, ma’am. I don’t take kindly to my authority being challenged in that manner.’

‘Mr Lambert, I’ve been very patient, but you are trying me too far. One more word from you and you may consider your employment at Rockwood terminated.’

‘Mr Blanchard is my employer. If he wants me to leave then he must tell me in person. In the meantime I have work to do.’ Lambert dug his heels into his horse’s flanks, controlling it easily as it reared and then sped off.