‘Good morning, Rosalind. It’s good to see you and Lady Carey out and about again.’

‘Thank you, Mr Shaw. We’ve been taking small gifts to the poor. I’m afraid we’ve neglected our duties recently,’ Rosalind added hastily. ‘But it was unintentional and I hope to make up for it now.’

The Reverend George Shaw acknowledged this with a gentle smile. ‘I understand, of course. It’s been a difficult time for your family.’

‘How is Mrs Shaw? Well, I hope, and Louise, too.’

‘My wife and daughter are very well indeed. You must visit us at the vicarage, and I trust we will see you in church this Sunday? You haven’t been to matins for quite a while.’

‘Of course you will,’ Hester said before Rosalind had a chance to respond.

‘We missed so much, being in France, and my husband has been recuperating since our return,’ added Rosalind.

‘But both Mr Blanchard and Captain Blanchard are fully recovered now, I hope.’

Rosalind sent a warning look in Hester’s direction. ‘My husband has gone to Cornwall to check on business matters. Captain Blanchard will return to his regiment as soon as the doctor says his leg is sufficiently healed.’

‘A bad business, but the outcome could have been worse.’ George Shaw tipped his hat. ‘I’m just going to call on Jessie. Life is difficult for a young woman left to cope alone when her husband is in prison. My wife tells me that the gossips are spreading stories about her.’ He shook his head. ‘But that need not concern you. Don’t forget to call on Mrs Shaw, Rosalind, and you too, Lady Carey.’ He strode up the path and knocked on the door.

Hester sniffed and walked away. ‘You see, he put me last. He may be a man of God, but he still sees me as a servant. His snobbish wife is even worse.’

‘You don’t like Tabitha Shaw anyway, Hester. You’ve said so often enough.’

‘She’s a hypocrite. I feel sorry for that spinster daughter of hers. Poor Louise can’t help being plain.’

Rosalind laughed. ‘Hester! That’s not like you. You’re usually very charitable. Louise is homely-looking but she has a very nice nature.’

Hester climbed into the trap, taking the reins in her hands. ‘You may call upon the vicar’s wife. I’ll go to Hannaford’s shop and get the provisions that Mrs Jackson neglected to put on the order. I’ll pick you up in half an hour.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ll walk home. It’s cold but it isn’t raining. I’d enjoy the exercise.’

‘If you say so.’ Hester nodded and flicked the reins. ‘Walk on.’