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    Suddenly she saw two figures at the bottom of the Tower and she hurriedly re-mounted Firefly and rode him deep into the trees.
    â€˜The last thing I want is for the Earl or his awful brother to see me lurking around,’ she said to herself as she turned Firefly around towards the main road.
    The sun was at its height in the sky as she returned to Trentham House and the feeling in her stomach told her that it must be time for luncheon.
    â€˜I do hope that my Stepmama has gone out. I wish I could have luncheon with Papa alone.’
    She ran upstairs to change and as she was buttoning up the nice clean linen blouse Nanny had left out for her, she heard the gong sound for luncheon.
    As she descended the stairs, her stepmother walked towards her with a face like fury.
    â€œWhere have you been all morning, Robina? We did not know whether or not to expect you to eat with us.”
    â€œIt is of no consequence,” replied Robina calmly, “Mrs. Bailey would have provided me with a morsel to eat had I not returned in time.”
    The expression upon her stepmother’s face showed her utter disapproval.
    Through tight lips she answered,
    â€œMrs. Bailey is not here to be at your beck and call. She gets very upset if people are not present for meals.”
    â€˜That is not my experience of her,’ thought Robina, although she wisely held her tongue.
    â€œIt is common courtesy to let us know whether you intend to eat with us,” continued her stepmother, fuming. “Your father has faced enough problems with staff leaving and we certainly don’t want someone as precious as Mrs. Bailey packing her bags just because you have been selfish and inconsiderate!”
    Robina decided not to argue but, nevertheless, she was disappointed that she would obviously not be lunching alone with her father.
    â€˜My best form of defence is passive muteness,’ she told herself, as her stepmother continued to berate her for her ‘conduct’.
    She simply cast her eyes down and appeared to be listening, all the while not taking in a single word.
    In the dining room her father was waiting for them. His eyes lit up when he saw them arrive together.
    â€œI am delighted to see that you are getting to know each other,” he beamed.
    Robina sat down and a plate of salmon was placed in front of her along with some boiled new potatoes.
    She ate in silence as the pact between her father and stepmother made her feel as if she should not be there.
    â€œI saw Lord Hampton today,” she remarked at last. “He was saying that he has great plans for the Castle.”
    â€œReally?” enquired her father. “I had heard he was back, but I must confess that I have not had the time to pay him a call. How is he?”
    â€œHe is well. His brother is causing him problems, however.”
    â€œThat ne’er-do-well! Is he still spending the family inheritance?”
    Robina laughed as she wondered if perhaps he had indeed noticed her crouched behind the sofa in the library that day!
    â€œI believe he is attempting to, but the Earl is quite determined to renovate the Castle. He has asked me to visit him to see what I think of his plans for the decor.”
    â€œReally?” interrupted Laura. “If it is advice about decoration that he seeks, then he should ask me – I am an expert – everyone who visits Trentham House remarks on my good taste.”
    Robina smiled and made no comment. The changes her stepmother had wrought were certainly not to her taste.
    â€œRobina, there is one other matter I would discuss with you,” continued Laura.
    â€œYes, Stepmama?”
    â€œYour room is far too large for you and I intend to move you up to the blue bedroom on the top floor so that I can turn your room into a guest suite.”
    Robina looked up from her food in horror.
    â€œBut I have been in my room since I left the nursery and where should I bathe if I am in the blue room?