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Adelina and said, “Emily is betrothed to Wallis Trent.”
    â€œWhat has that to do with me?” Adelina asked.
    â€œNothing – and everything!” was Martha Langley’s puzzling reply.
    The next morning – Sunday – Adelina, heavy-eyed, found herself being aroused even earlier than usual.
    â€œYou’ve to go to early service at the church, miss,” the housemaid explained, “with the mistress and Miss Emily. They always go.”
    Adelina groaned but roused herself.
    Much to her surprise she found that the bright, clear morning air invigorated her. The dew was still on the grass and the birds twittered in the trees and hedgerows.
    Adelina found herself the centre of attention even amongst the devout few who attended such an early service. No doubt, she thought wryly, word of her arrival would have passed round and those who remembered her mother would have revived all the old scandal and gossip.
    As they returned home together, Adelina tried to draw Emily from her quiet mood. The girl’s eyes were red with weeping and her mouth still trembled, but she uttered no word of reproach to Adelina.
    â€œThere weren’t many in church, Emily.”
    â€œNo – it’s very early. Matins and Evensong are better attended, you’ll see.”
    Adelina stopped and turned to face her. “Do you mean we have to go again today?”
    â€œWhy, of course.”
    â€œTo both services?”
    â€œYes. That’s what the Sabbath is for,” Emily said primly. “Besides, it brings the whole village together in an act of worship right from the Squire of the Manor down to the labourers and their families.”
    â€œDoes – does Lord Royston attend church?” Adelina asked hesitantly.
    â€œNo,” Emily replied with uncharacteristic harshness in her voice. Then she sighed and, in a rush of tender feeling towards Adelina, put her hand upon her arm. “I wish you would forget the idea of meeting your grandfather. He has said he does not want to see you, and – and …”
    â€œYes?” Adelina prompted.
    â€œAnd my mother will see to it that you don’t meet him!”
    â€œI see,” Adelina murmured, her tone flat with disappointment. “So everyone is against me.”
    Emily did not answer.
    Evensong, as Emily had predicted, was far better attended than the earlier services. Mrs Langley, Emily and Adelina were already seated in their pew when Wallis Trent entered the church with his mother on his arm. As they took their place in the Trent family box pew, Adelina was aware of the glances and whisperings exchanged amongst the villagers. She was surprised, after what Emily had implied, that there were no smiles of welcome for their employer and his mother, their faces were resentful. Instead of uniting employer and employee it was as if they felt the Trents had intruded upon their one social event of the week.
    Lady Louisa Trent was a tall, stately woman. Once she must have been very beautiful, with a flawless skin and grey eyes, but time and life had etched bitterness into her face. Her mouth was tight and unsmiling, and her eyes held some deep sadness. She was dressed in a pale blue pelisse trimmed with braid and tassles. She carried a matching reticule and parasol and her bonnet was trimmed with a darker shade of blue velvet ribbon.
    Suddenly a hushed whisper and a stir ran through the congregation, and the few who dared, turned to see Lord Lynwood enter the church with his mother, the Dowager Countess of Lynwood.
    The Earl glanced from side to side as he progressed slowly up the aisle, the Countess leaning heavily on a stick in her left hand and with her right arm through her son’s. He appeared to be looking for someone.
    Then the Earl saw Adelina and his eyes stopped their restless roaming. He smiled slowly at her and Adelina smiled in return, suddenly realising how very glad she was to see him again.
    The Earl and Lady