‘Hm, and how often does he show his face?’ Amber couldn’t keep the loathing she felt for him from her voice and Nancy was quick to pick up on it.
‘At least three or four times a day,’ she admitted. ‘But don’t get worryin’ about it. He’s completely besotted wi’ the babies an’ he wouldn’t dare to try an’ lay a hand on you up here. To be honest, it’s a good job he does bother with ’em. The mistress has never shown a scrap of interest in ’em, in fact I reckon I could count on one hand how many times she’s seen ’em since they were born, and they’re nearly five months old now, poor little sods. Although in fairness to her she is very poorly now. Poor old Ruffy looks worn out, but she won’t hear o’ Mr Greenwood gettin’ a nurse in. An’ the rows! Phew, she lays into the master as soon as he sets foot in her room, an’ it makes me wonder why he bothers. But then, she is still is his wife, ain’t she?’
‘And where do I eat?’ Amber asked. ‘Do I go down to the kitchen an’ eat wi’ the staff like I used to?’
Nancy looked away, clearly uncomfortable. ‘Well, I dare say you could if the babies were asleep. But it’s only fair to tell you that some of ’em ain’t too happy about you gettin’ this post. They’re askin’ why the master should favour you when you were just the laundry maid before. Still, I wouldn’t let it worry you. If you don’t feel comfortable down there, I’ll bring your meals up on a tray.’
‘I think I might just let you do that,’ Amber said with a worried frown. ‘At least until I know what sort of reception I’m goin’ to get. But now tell me about the babies’ routines. I can put this stuff away later.’ And after throwing her bundle onto the bed she returned to the nursery with Nancy.
Over the next hour Nancy showed her the small stove where she could warm the milk for the little ones’ bottles, and also where the water closet was out on the landing. Amber was quite taken with that; it would certainly beat having to go outside to use the toilet in the freezing cold.
‘All the dirty washin’, yours included, will be collected each mornin’,’ Nancy went on. ‘An’ when it’s been washed an’ ironed it will be brought back to you.’ Next she showed Amber where the babies’ clothes and toiletries were kept and when the twins started to stir she showed her friend how to make their bottles.
‘I should have a go at feedin’ David first,’ Nancy suggested. ‘He’s the hardest to care for. Charlotte will eat till the cows come home, bless ’er, an’ she’s as good as gold, but he’s a whinger cos he ain’t well most o’ the time.’
Amber gently lifted the little boy from his crib and when he opened his eyes he stopped crying momentarily to stare up at her curiously.
‘Oh dear, he’s as light as a feather,’ Amber said in dismay and Nancy nodded in agreement.
‘I know, but it ain’t for the wants o’ me not tryin’ to fatten him up.’ She shook her head. ‘Between you an’ me I don’t reckon the doctor thinks much of his chances. There’s been talk of there bein’ somethin’ wrong wi’ his little heart. I don’t reckon he’ll be for this world for much longer.’
Once the milk had been warmed to the right temperature, Amber lifted David from his cot, shocked again to feel how light he was. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him and his little face was gaunt.
‘Poor little thing,’ she muttered as she tried to gently push the teat of the bottle between his lips. ‘He’s so painfully thin! All skin and bone.’
‘Unlike this one.’ Nancy chuckled as Charlotte slurped greedily at her milk. Within no time at all her bottle was empty but David hadn’t even managed an ounce. Eventually Amber gave up trying to tempt him to take any more and she awkwardly changed his binding, realising that it was going to take a bit of practice before she got it right – it wasn’t as easy as it looked – while Nancy changed Charlotte’s
The little girl gurgled and cooed with her chubby little legs kicking whilst David just lay there.
Almost two hours later they heard footsteps on the nursery stairs and when the door opened Barnaby stepped into the room.
‘Ah, so you arrived,’ he said rather unnecessarily and Amber nodded, avoiding his eyes. She was wearing the plain dress her uncle had bought her for working in the shop in Scarborough and with her hair neatly pinned up and in her best boots, he noted that she looked very neat and tidy – pretty in fact.
Barnaby instantly crossed to Charlotte and the second she saw him the little girl gurgled with delight and he lifted her into his arms.
‘And how is my special girl today, eh?’ Barnaby crooned and seeing how gentle he was with her, Amber was shocked. He clearly loved his children so perhaps he wasn’t all bad after all. Next he went to lift David into his other arm and nudging Amber, Nancy suggested, ‘Shall we take these pots down to the kitchen?’
Amber was only too happy to oblige and after loading them onto a tray they set off, giving Barnaby some time alone with the infants.
They had just reached the first-floor landing when Mrs Ruffin appeared from the mistress’s bedroom looking flustered and seeing them, she smiled weakly. ‘She’s having a bad day,’ she confided, cocking her head back towards the room. And nodding down at her apron, which was stained with tea, she added, ‘She didn’t want her tea so she threw it at me.’ She shook her head. ‘But how am I supposed to get her to build her strength up if she won’t even try to eat and drink? It’s almost as if she’s given up.’
Both Amber and Nancy felt sorry for her. It was no secret that the mistress was gravely ill and they could only imagine how upsetting it must be for Mrs Ruffin, who loved her like a daughter. They continued down the next flight of stairs together and had almost reached the bottom when Mrs Ruffin told them, ‘I’ve sent for the doctor to call in and have a look at her again. He should be here anytime now. Do you want me to ask him to pop up to the nursery and have a look at David while he’s here?’
‘I don’t suppose it would hurt,’ Nancy answered. ‘Though he’s no worse. Sayin’ that he’s no better either an’ we still can’t get him to eat or drink much.’
Mrs Boswell appeared and eyed Amber’s dress curiously. She had only ever seen her in the old clothes she used to wear in the laundry and she was surprised to see how different she looked dressed in smarter clothes.
‘Are you settling in?’
Amber noted a tone of disapproval in her voice but she answered calmly, ‘Yes, thank you, Mrs Boswell.’
‘Good.’ The woman looked at Nancy. ‘You can report back to your normal duties first thing in the morning, Nancy.’
‘Yes, missus.’ Nancy bobbed her knee and when the housekeeper disappeared off into the drawing room to check that the maid had done a proper job of the dusting and polishing, Nancy and Amber moved on to the green baize door at the end of the hallway that led into the kitchen. One of the grooms, a gardener and the parlourmaid were sitting at the table drinking tea when Amber followed Nancy in, and the second she entered they fell silent. Noting the suddenly frosty atmosphere, Amber felt so embarrassed that she wished the ground would open up and swallow her.
‘So?.?.?. you’re back?’ The cook was rolling pastry on the large, scrubbed pine table but paused to stare at Amber who inclined her head.
‘Hm, you’ve done all right for yerself, girl, haven’t you? It’s quite a step from being a laundry maid to a nanny, ain’t it? I wonder what you did to deserve it?’
