‘Of course, I quite understand.’ In truth, Barnaby was relieved to hear it. His father-in-law had done nothing but interfere in the businesses Barnaby had built up almost from scratch, and because it was Robert’s money that had set him up, there was very little he could do to stop him as he was still the main shareholder. His mother-in-law, meanwhile, had caused chaos in the normally smooth-running household with her interference, much to the annoyance of Mrs Boswell.
‘But that doesn’t mean we will not be back on a regular basis to check that our daughter is receiving proper care,’ Margaret chipped in curtly as she cut a slice of succulent roast beef and placed it on her plate. One thing she couldn’t fault was Cook’s delicious meals nor her cakes and pastries.
‘Mrs Ruffin assures me that she will barely leave her side,’ Barnaby said quietly. He had learnt that it was best not to argue with either of them and, after all, he asked himself, what more did he deserve than their contempt? Over the last months he had been forced to stand back and take a good long look at himself and he didn’t at all like what he saw and now he was reaping the rewards for his wickedness.
When the dessert was served – a delicious treacle tart with thick cream – Margaret helped herself to two portions. It seemed her concern for her daughter hadn’t affected her appetite, Barnaby thought wryly. Thankfully, when she had finished, she left the room and Barnaby and his father-in-law retired to the study for a brandy and a cigar. As much as he resented Robert’s interference, Barnaby had to admit that he was a very astute businessman.
‘So,’ Robert said as he clipped the end off his cigar and settled back into one of the two leather wing-back chairs. ‘You must have suffered a great loss with the sinking ofThe Neptune.’
‘Yes,’ Barnaby admitted. ‘But not such a loss as the wives, children and mothers of the men who were aboard her. I believe some of them have had to go into the workhouse.’
Robert waved his hand airily. ‘That is not your problem,’ he said callously. ‘Every man who sets out on a whaling ship is aware of the danger they are placing themselves in and they are well paid for taking the risk. If they haven’t made proper provisions for their loved ones, it’s none of your concern. What you should be concerned about, though, is how much it will cost to replace the ship.’
Barnaby clamped his lips together and didn’t answer. Only that day he had seen one of the fishermen’s widows standing on the harbour with a clutch of small, gaunt-faced children hanging off her skirts as she begged from anyone that passed by. He had made sure that she had enough to feed them for the next few days at least, but it had done nothing to ease his conscience, for what would happen to them then? And she was only one of many.
‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you in peace to enjoy your cigar while I go and check on the children.’
Robert raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Barnaby strode from the room and took the stairs two at a time up to the nursery floor.
Inside he found Nancy with David on her lap as she tried to tempt him to take some bread soaked in warm milk – or pobs as they called it – while Charlotte lay on a blanket on the floor kicking her legs and gurgling contentedly. At the sight of her father, she beamed and instantly held her arms up to be lifted. Barnaby scooped her up and held her tightly. It seemed the only time he was happy now was when he was up here with the children.
‘How is he today, Nancy?’
‘Hmm.’ Nancy sucked her teeth and shook her head. ‘Not so good, if I’m to be honest, sir. I’ve spent ages trying to get him to take some o’ this pobs but he ain’t havin’ it. I even put a bit o’ sugar on.’
Nancy had actually turned out to be excellent with the children and they clearly loved her already.
‘All you can do is your best.’ He grinned as Charlotte snuggled into his neck whilst David lay across Nancy’s lap, limp and lethargic. The difference between the two children was growing more marked by the day but Barnaby didn’t know what to do about it.
‘I don’t suppose you’ve had time to advertise fer another nanny yet, have you?’ she timidly ventured to ask.
‘I’m afraid I haven’t, what with my in-laws being here and one thing and another,’ he said apologetically.
‘Oh, I weren’t complainin’,’ Nancy was quick to tell him. ‘But it just so happens I know someone who might be suitable.’
‘Really? Who would that be ?’ Charlotte had snuggled down into his lap now and her eyelids were drooping.
‘It’s Amber who used to work here in the laundry,’ she said innocently. She knew that Barnaby wasn’t aware that she knew of what had happened between him and Amber. ‘Her mam is goin’ to live in Scarborough wi’ her brother so she’ll be lookin’ for a job an’ I reckon she’d be reet good wi’ the babies.’
‘Amber? If her mother is leaving, where will she live?’
‘That’s just it.’ Nancy gave up trying with the food and wrapped David’s shawl about his scrawny little shoulders. ‘She’s moved in wi’ me mam, just temporary like till she can find a job that suits.’
She saw his jaw tense and knew that he didn’t like the idea but despite the fact that Amber had made it clear she never wanted to work for him again she felt she owed it to her to try and find her a place to live – that’s if Amber wasn’t too stubborn to take the job if it were offered.
‘I, er?.?.?. don’t think that the job would suit Amb— Miss Ainsley. She isn’t a trained nanny, is she?’
Nancy shook her head. ‘No sir, she ain’t, but then neither am I an’ I’m copin’ well enough, ain’t I? An’ as you know she didn’t do a bad job wi’ the Temples’ two boys in London. If you’ll forgive me sayin’, I reckon it’d be nice for the babies to have someone younger to care for ’em. The older, trained nannies seem to be a lot stricter.’ Realising that she might be overstepping the mark, she became silent but at least she had planted the seed. Now all she could do was wait and see if it grew.
*
Much to Barnaby’s relief, Louisa’s parents left two days later and as the carriage pulled away the whole house and the staff inside seemed to give a sigh of relief. Once he had waved them off, he went straight to Louisa’s room and at sight of him his wife started to sob pitifully.
‘What doyouwant? You’ve scarcely been to see me while Mamma and Papa were here.’ She snuggled Tumble to her and pouted.
Barnaby could have said it was because whichever of them had been in the room with her had always made him feel so unwelcome, but he didn’t want to be unkind so instead he said simply, ‘I’m here now and wondered if there was anything you’d like?’
‘Oh yes there is,’ she said. ‘I’d like to rewind time so that those brats upstairs had never been born. I might not be dying if I hadn’t had them!’
