Rosalind made her way to the vicarage. The maid who opened the door was very young and Rosalind suspected that she was yet another child plucked from the orphanage, who would most probably be replaced within the year if she did not learn quickly enough to satisfy a demanding mistress like Tabitha Shaw.

Rosalind took a visiting card from her reticule and handed it to the girl. ‘Would you give this to Mrs Shaw?’

‘Yes, miss.’

Rosalind found the door slammed in her face and she took a step backwards. She could hear small feet running down the tiled hallway and moments later the door opened and the girl eyed her tearfully.

‘She says to come in.’

Rosalind noted the red mark on the side of the child’s face. ‘What happened?’

‘I done wrong.’ Tears spurted from the girl’s eyes and she bowed her head.

Rosalind gave her a hug. ‘It’s all right. Don’t cry.’

‘What on earth is going on?’ Tabitha Shaw emerged from the parlour, looking elegant in a morning gown of silvery grey linsey-woolsey. ‘What has the little fool said?’

‘Nothing, I assure you. She seems to have hurt herself, Mrs Shaw.’

‘She’s clumsy and terribly stupid. I don’t know why we chose her out of all the girls who were shown to us at the orphanage. Stop snivelling, Nancy. The coal scuttle needs refilling and then you can help Cook prepare luncheon.’

‘How did you hurt yourself, Nancy?’ Rosalind asked gently. ‘You looked fine to me when you opened the door.’

‘She walked into the wall,’ Tabitha said sharply. ‘The child is so stupid. I think she’s only half there. We’re going to take her back to the orphanage tomorrow and look for a replacement. It’s so hard to find good servants these days.’ Tabitha shook her finger at the trembling child. ‘Go about your business, Nancy, and stop pestering Mrs Blanchard.’

Rosalind straightened up. ‘I could do with some extra help at the castle, Mrs Shaw. I’ll take Nancy off your hands.’

‘Why would you want to burden yourself with a half-wit? She’s so small and skinny that she can hardly lift a coal scuttle when it’s empty. She’s useless.’

‘Nevertheless, I would like to have her at Rockwood. Hester is very good at training young people who come into service.’

Tabitha took a deep breath. ‘Have it your own way, Mrs Blanchard. Do come into the parlour.’ She shot an impatient glance in Nancy’s direction. ‘Pack your bag, girl. You’ll be leaving with Mrs Blanchard.’

Rosalind followed Tabitha into the large room with its walls hung with paintings of fruit and flowers, scenes depicting highland cattle and sketches of angelic-looking children. Louise Shaw was seated by the fire, but she rose to her feet when she saw Rosalind.

‘It’s so nice of you to visit us, Rosalind. I haven’t seen you since before Christmas.’