Alexander handed the bride to the groom and moved back to sit beside Rosalind. They exchanged smiles and he reached for her hand, clasping it in a firm grasp, which was hidden from view by the velvet of her mantle. The ceremony went off without a hitch and when the bride and groom had signed the register they processed back down the aisle followed by the guests. Carriages were waiting outside to take everyone to Greystone Park and Rosalind made sure that the children were safely ensconced in the landau with Aurelia and Sylvia before she went to find the Rockwood barouche. She could see Alexander waiting for her but as she passed through the graveyard she was accosted by a woman wrapped in a dingy black cloak.

‘Mrs Blanchard, ma’am.’

Rosalind came to a sudden halt. ‘Who are you?’

The woman glanced round nervously before pushing her hood back so that Rosalind could see her face. ‘Do you remember me, ma’am?’

‘Of course I do. You’re Mrs Trimble. What can I do for you?’

Emmie Trimble glanced round again. ‘I mustn’t be seen. Trimble will kill me if he finds out I’ve been to see you.’

‘Tell me what’s wrong. Is it about Tommy?’

‘No, missis. It’s your husband who’s in danger. He knows too much and they’re out to silence him.’

‘I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mrs Trimble.’

‘No, you wouldn’t, I suppose.’ Emmie backed behind a tombstone. ‘I’m risking my own life by coming here, ma’am. Trimble is mixed up with a smuggling gang from Plymouth.’

‘But surely the gangs were broken up long ago, and smuggling as such doesn’t exist these days.’

‘The government thinks they have it under control but they don’t know the amount that goes undetected. There’s a lot of money in it and your husband has been involved for a long time, but if he turns Queen’s evidence he could put the gangs away for a very long time, and that includes Trimble.’

‘Your husband is in prison, I believe, Mrs Trimble.’

‘He was due out on parole when he spotted you and the baby. My friend saw it all, ma’am. I don’t hold no blame on you, but Ezra is back in prison and your old man is in danger.’

‘Are you telling me that Mr Trimble is intent on harming my husband?’

‘Not him personally. He’s not a killer, but he knows them as will do the deed, for the right amount of money.’

‘What can I do about it? How can I save my husband?’