Hudson leaped from the box and tugged ineffectually at Trimble’s coat but was shaken off with a single shrug of Trimble’s massive body. He made a grab for Dolly, clutching her in his grimy hands.

‘I reckon I should take this one, since you stole our boy. I reckon that would be fair.’

‘Give me my baby.’ Rosalind’s voice rose to a scream and Nancy began to howl.

‘Do as the lady says,’ Hudson gasped, holding his chest as if he had been winded by Trimble’s sharp movement.

‘No, I think this is a fair swap. You took young Tommy from us, so I’ll have this one. He’ll fetch a good price when he’s a bit older. The missis will take care of him until then. She’s a tender mother, all right.’

‘You will not take my daughter from me.’ Rosalind faced him. Her heart was hammering against her ribs and she was finding it difficult to breathe, but she was ready to fly at Trimble and fight with every ounce of strength to free her baby. She would die rather than allow Trimble to harm a single hair on Dolly’s precious head.

‘Trimble.’ A stentorian voice from the prison yard made Trimble freeze, and the sound of the gates clanging open caused him to thrust the baby into Rosalind’s arms.

The prison warder strode towards them.

‘Do you know this man, ma’am?’

‘Only to my cost, sir. He’s just tried to steal my baby.’

‘You’ve only just left your cell, Trimble. I see you haven’t changed your ways. I’m arresting you for trying to abduct an infant. It’s not the first time, is it?’

‘It’s all a mistake, sir,’ Trimble said, cowering. ‘I just done my time. I’m going home.’

‘Not yet, you aren’t. You were only on parole so you’d better come back inside and let the governor decide what to do with you.’ The warder beckoned to a guard, who marched Trimble back into the prison yard. He came to a sudden halt.

‘Her old man is coming up for trial next week. I got information on him that will put him away for the rest of his days. You think about that, lady.’ Trimble was dragged off, still shouting.

‘This isn’t the place for a lady like yourself, ma’am,’ the warder said grimly. ‘I’d advise you to keep away from people like Trimble.’ He handed Rosalind into the carriage. ‘Coachman, drive on.’ He slammed the door and stood back as the carriage lurched forward.

Rosalind huddled on the seat next to a sobbing Nancy, her own eyes filled with tears. ‘It’s all right now, Nancy. We’re safe. That man won’t bother us again.’

‘He won’t come to the castle and take Tommy, will he?’