‘That’s why I came this morning.’ Rosalind smiled. ‘You’ll know that I had to go to France after the terrible accident that involved my husband and his brother.’

‘I heard that Captain Blanchard was injured when his ship went aground,’ Louise said softly. ‘Was he badly hurt?’

‘It’s none of our business, Louise. Go to the kitchen and instruct Cook to make up a tray of tea and biscuits, and box that child’s ears,’ Tabitha added in an undertone.

Louise cast an agonised glance in Rosalind’s direction. ‘I shan’t do anything of the kind, Mama.’

‘Just go, Louise.’ Tabitha turned to Rosalind with a smile. ‘Do take off your cape and gloves, and be seated. It’s a pleasure to see you and I want to hear all about your time in France. Although, of course, you missed your mama’s wedding. It was such a surprise to have the arrangements altered at the last moment, but my dear husband coped heroically. Your mama is a very handsome woman and Mr de Marney charmed us all.’

Rosalind took off her outer garments and sat down. She was obliged to listen to every detail of her mother’s marriage to Claude. It was a relief when Louise entered carrying a tray of tea, and biscuits still hot from the oven.

‘The child should have brought that, Louise,’ Tabitha said angrily. ‘It’s her last task here and she can’t even do something simple like that. Now you see what I mean, Mrs Blanchard.’

‘Nancy is too small to carry such a heavy tray, Mama.’ Louise set it on the table beside her mother’s chair. ‘Would you like me to pour?’

‘Yes, of course. I feel quite faint with all the servant problems thrust upon me.’

‘Perhaps if we hired an older and more experienced woman we wouldn’t have such difficulties.’ Louise filled a cup and handed it to Rosalind. ‘Are you really going to take young Nancy to work for you?’

‘I’m sure she will prove very useful, when she’s a bit older,’ Rosalind said carefully. ‘What would happen to her if you returned her to the orphanage?’

‘She would be sold on again to anyone who would be prepared to pay for her,’ Louise said sadly. ‘I’ve heard that mill owners from different parts of the country buy young children and make them work for long hours in appalling conditions, particularly in the cotton industry.’

‘That’s terrible. It makes me more determined to take the child back to Rockwood.’

Tabitha took a teacup and saucer from her daughter. ‘You should not pass on gossip you’ve heard in the village, Louise. I’m sure that the orphans are well cared for and grow up to be decent citizens.’ She turned to Rosalind with a sugary smile. ‘But we’re both dying to hear about your time in France. Was it terribly exciting?’