Shaken but more angry than upset, Rosalind allowed Ajax to have his head and he ambled homeward, giving her time to recover before she arrived back at the stables. When Piers returned from London she would insist that he dismiss Lambert personally, since the wretched man would not take it from a woman. She left Ajax with Gurney and made her way into the house, still seething with anger.

She was on her way to her room to change when she met Louise coming downstairs.

‘Are you all right, Rosalind?’ Louise asked anxiously. ‘You look very flushed.’

‘It’s rather hot today and I’ve just had an unpleasant encounter with Ralph Lambert. He really is an impossible man.’

‘Oh dear! What has he done to upset you?’

‘He’s a bully and he’s arrogant.’ Rosalind eyed Louise curiously. ‘Don’t tell me that you find him charming.’

‘He is a fine figure on horseback and I can see that women might find him quite good-looking.’

‘Handsome is as handsome does, as Hester would say. That man sent the bailiffs in to evict Widow Madge and her children. I only got there just in time to prevent them snatching everything the poor woman owns. Heaven knows, it’s very little, and all of it old and well used.’

‘He should be ashamed of himself.’ Louise laid her hand on Rosalind’s arm. ‘Why don’t you go to your room and rest for a while? I’ll bring you a cool drink or a cup of tea, whichever you prefer.’

‘Thank you, Louise, but I’ll be all right once I’ve cooled down. Have you finished the morning lessons?’

‘Yes, and the children have done very well. Tommy, in particular, has come on so quickly I can hardly credit it. For a child of the slums he’s very bright and far too intelligent to be a climbing boy.’

‘I sensed that he’s special,’ Rosalind said, smiling proudly. ‘And what about Nancy? Is she doing well?’

‘Nancy is a dear child and she’s very eager to please. She works hard whereas Tommy seems to absorb learning without making much of an effort. It’s wonderful to see them develop. Anyway, I mustn’t keep you from your rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

Rosalind negotiated the stairs easily enough but she was hot and even more tired by the time she reached her room. She took off her outer garments and undid her stays before lying down on her bed. With a cool sea breeze wafting in from the open window, made fragrant by the blooms in the rose garden, she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Someone was calling her name and a small hand was clutching her arm. Rosalind opened her eyes and sat bolt upright. ‘What’s the matter, Nancy?’