*
The following morning, just as they were about to set off to the house, a letter arrived at Greenacres from her mother, so Amber pushed it into her pocket to read on the way.
‘She says my uncle and Mrs Carter are gettin’ wed the second week o’ June,’ she told Nancy as the coach rocked along the rutted lanes. ‘But I don’t see as I can go now. We’ll have moved into the house by then an’ I can hardly leave Mr Greenwood to take care o’ Charlotte, can I?’
‘So take her wi’ you!’ Nancy suggested. ‘I dare say your family would love to see ’er an’ a break after all the ’ard work you’ve done would do you the power o’ good.’
‘Hm, I’m not so sure the master would agree to it.’ Amber chewed on her lip. ‘Not after I took off wi’ her before.’
‘Well, you won’t know if you don’t ask him, will you?’
‘I suppose I could but I’ll have to choose me moment carefully,’ Amber said thoughtfully.
They arrived at the house to find old Trampy Ned hovering by the back door and after Amber had given him some of the sandwiches she had brought for her and Nancy’s lunch he tipped his hat to her and set off again as the two girls set to work.
*
The following week, Barnaby said a sad goodbye to the staff from Greenacres and sent them off with their wages and a bonus in their pockets – only Mrs Boswell would remain, a little like the captain of a sinking ship, until the auctioneers arrived to begin an inventory of the contents of the house. When they were done she would hand over the keys to the solicitor before beginning her journey to Nuneaton, a small market town in the Midlands where she was to stay with her daughter for a time before she looked for another post.
Then at last, he, Amber and Charlotte were ready to move in to their new home. As they stepped inside, Charlotte on Barnaby’s hip, he smiled. ‘Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put into this place, you’ve done a marvellous job,’ he said appreciatively.
‘I did it for Charlotte,’ Amber said shortly, hurrying to the sink to fill the kettle and ignoring Barnaby’s resigned sigh.
After he’d left to go the warehouse Amber unpacked their clothes in the bedrooms – Barnaby had decided that Amber and Charlotte should have the largest bedroom at the front of the house overlooking the sea, as there was plenty of room for Charlotte’s cot in there, and Barnaby himself had chosen to sleep in the room at the back, which overlooked the rolling moors – then took Charlotte outside where she sat her on a blanket with her wooden bricks to play with, and made a start on digging the vegetable garden. Charlotte laughed and cooed as she tugged at the grass and tasted it and Amber couldn’t help but smile to see the child looking so happy and content. After lunch the little girl went down for a nap so Amber set to making a meat and potato pie for their dinner. Thankfully Barnaby had ensured that the larder was full but she knew that soon she would have to venture into the village for shopping and she wasn’t looking forward to it one little bit.
It was late afternoon when he returned and they were both ill at ease. ‘Have you had a good day?’ he asked as he lifted Charlotte to give her a kiss.
‘Busy,’ she answered without looking at him. ‘And your dinner will be ready in about half an hour, but it’s only a pie, mind. I’m not very good at fancy cooking.’
‘I’m sure it will be delicious.’ He eyed her quietly for a moment before saying tentatively, ‘You know, if we’re going to be living in the same house, we should at least make an effort to get along, for Charlotte’s sake. Children can pick up on a bad atmosphere and I really want her to have a happy childhood.’
She paused before raising her eyes to his. She supposed he did have a point. ‘All right, I’ll try but don’t expect me to ever like you.’
The meal was actually very tasty and Amber noticed how patient Barnaby was when he fed Charlotte. She was opening her mouth like a little bird for him and it was plain to see the bond between them.
‘Perhaps I could help with the washing-up?’ he suggested when the meal was over, but she shook her head.
‘Thank you but I’ll do it myself,’ she said primly. And then deciding there was no time like the present she asked, ‘Would it be possible for me to take Charlotte to Scarborough for a few days so I can attend me uncle’s weddin’?’
She saw a brief flash of alarm in his eyes and he paused before saying, ‘Yes, of course, if that’s what you want. When is it?’
‘In a couple o’ weeks’ time. I thought we could go on the coach from the market square.’
‘There’s no need for you to do that,’ he said. ‘I’d be happy to take you in the barouche.’ He had chosen to keep his own stallion and the smallest of the carriages as well as the gentle nag that pulled it. Amber had told him that the barouche was rather a grand mode of transport to be taking to a sea captain’s modest home but he had pointed out that it would be ideal for Amber to manage should she wish to shop in the village. Also, had he chosen to keep the larger carriage, he would have had to take at least one more horse to pull it and he didn’t know if his father-in-law would stand for that. Amber had shrugged and said that she didn’t mind walking and that she’d never driven a carriage in her life, but he’d assured her that he would teach her.
Now she stared at him thoughtfully. ‘But ain’t that a long way for you to go only to have to come all the way back again? We’ll only be gone for a few days.’
‘It’ll be no trouble.’ He smiled. ‘Rather than come back I’ll wait till you’re ready to come home. I’m sure there’ll be a hotel where I can stay and I can make it into a little holiday. To be honest, I feel rather in need of one at the minute after all that’s happened.’
Amber shrugged. ‘Fine, if that’s what you want.’ And for then the subject was dropped.
Once Charlotte was tucked up in bed Barnaby read the newspaper by the light of the oil lamp on the table while Amber stitched a dress for Charlotte. Eventually he rose from his seat and stretched and yawned.
‘I’ll go on up now, unless there’s anything you need doing?’
She shook her head, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on what she was doing. ‘No, nothin’?.?.?. thanks.’
‘Goodnight then.’ She could feel his eyes burning into her as he stood over her.
