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father’s return with Cousin Charlotte’s children.”
    Caught out in his mischief, Matthew Norbery had no option but to obey.
    Although he heard, Joshua did not move until the sound of his brother’s clicking footsteps retreated along the corridor towards the main staircase, which led to his mother’s apartments.
    “It’s all right, Joshua,” Aunt Jane said. “You can come out now, he’s gone.”
    He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder, and blinked back tears of relief. Aunt Jane always seemed to know when he needed her, which showed she cared, as his mother did not. He supposed it was due to the depression she suffered after his birth. It was lucky Aunt Jane was there to look after him. How he wished she really were his mother.
    “Why don’t you come into the drawing room with us, Joshua?” she said. “The view of the front drive is better from there.”
    He should have known she would guess the reason he was standing behind the curtains. Not hiding, that was for babies. He wanted to be first to see his father’s coach returning from Ireland.
    “Let me have a look at you,” she said, smoothing aside the lock of fair hair draped across his brow. “Mm, yes, the bruise has almost gone; a few more days at the most.”
    That was a relief. The skin was still tender, but not as sore as when it was new. Aunt Jane applied salves to the abrasions, caused by the hard stone of his brother’s signet ring, turned inside the hand to inflict the most damage. Then she fixed a pad on the wound, and brushed his hair forward, so it did not show.
    By the time Matthew returned to the drawing room, Joshua was looking through the bay window, in full view of the other occupants of the room. He felt comforted by the quick smile of welcome his twin cousins, Lucy and Julia, gave when he entered the room with Aunt Jane, and safe in the knowledge his brother could not hurt him.
    From his new position, Joshua could see the wide sweep of the drive as it approached the front door. He had not moved since he saw a coach appear around the curve of the birch coppice that screened Linmore Hall from the lower part of the drive and the village. He hugged the news of his father’s imminent return to himself.
    In one way, he was eager to know what the newcomers would be like, yet was half-dreading the moment. Suddenly, his mind filled with doubts, wondering what he would do if the new friend he expected was a bully like his brother? Could life be any worse? He did not think so. He was not bothered about the boy’s sister. She would be like Caroline, and his cousins. Clean and tidy in her dress, and well behaved.
    The sound of coach wheels on gravel broke through his reverie. A fluttering sense of excitement took hold as he heard the front door open, and a gruff voice bid his father welcome, then footsteps on the staircase. Joshua was waiting to move as the drawing room door opened. He hurtled across the room, anxious to be first to speak.
    “Papa,” he burst out, his voice filled with joy. “You’re home.”
    That said everything he felt. He did not care if his brother belittled his actions, because life could be normal for a while.
    Everyone looked up in anticipation as the door opened. Aunt Jane was the next to speak.
    “Welcome home, Tom.” She stepped forward and took her brother-in-law’s hands. “I’m afraid Kate is indisposed.”
    Again
, thought Joshua. His mother never made an effort to be polite if she could avoid it. Not that he minded. It kept him out of her way. He thought about it a lot, and felt even more, but long ago learned to say nothing.
    He heard his father talking with Aunt Jane, but he was looking at the people standing behind them. A boy of about his age, with black, tousled hair and crumpled clothes moved forward and extended his hand.
    “Hello,” he said, sounding weary. “You must be Joshua. I’m Charlie Cobarne, and this is my sister, Sophie. We’ve come to live with you at Linmore.”
    Joshua gave