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his by-blows; and a husband whose temper and disposition were clearly not of the best. And I had yet to meet the child Ned. Living among these people it was no wonder he was into mischief. And these two new boys—if I could persuade my husband to let them stay on, it was I who would have the care of them.
    I shivered. I had taken on quite an enormous task. I prayed God I would be equal to it.
     
    Chapter Four
     
    I slept, finally, and woke in the grey light of dawn, chilled to the bone. The great bed seemed vast and I felt almost lost in it. Huddling under the covers, I struggled to summon my usual cheery morning spirits, spirits that seemed reluctant to waken with the rest of me. But since I am by nature an optimistic person, by the time the sun was fairly up I had talked myself into a better state of mind.
    Last night I'd been weary from the long trip, my nerves still on edge from so many unexpected happenings. Perhaps in the cheerful light of day the knowledge of Cousin Julia and Uncle Phillip, Robert and his sons, would all be more easily dealt with. And today I would meet Ned.
    I was not anxious about that meeting; indeed, I looked forward to it. Whatever tricks Ned had planned for me—and I was sure he had planned some—I was equal to them. And when the boy realized that I truly cared for him, he would come round. I had won over boys before. I had all the necessary qualities: a good stomach and strong nerves, a lot of love, and considerable patience.
    I washed and put on my gown of drab brown, not fitting for my new position in life no doubt, but my blue silk was my one good gown and for the moment I meant to save it.
    As I finished fixing my hair, a knock came on the door to the hall. "Come in," I called.
    The door swung open and a rosy-cheeked maid stood there, holding a tray. She looked so very normal that for a moment I wondered what she could be doing in this place. Then I smiled and motioned her in.
    "Good morning, milady," she said, setting the tray on a little table near me. "I've brung you some nice hot tea. It can be chilling here of a morning."
    I poured myself a cup. "Thank you—"
    "Betty, milady, me name's Betty."
    I seemed to remember the name. "You're the upstairs maid?"
    She bobbed a curtsey. "Yes, milady."
    "And it is you who takes care of the new boys?"
    Her round face squeezed into a frown. "Aye, milady, and a wickeder pair I ain't never seen!"
    "Wicked?" I repeated in amusement, sipping my tea.
    "Aye. They talks to each other—in some strange language can't no one else make head ner tail of." Betty's eyes grew round and her cheeks redder. “Tis the devil's own tongue!" she breathed fearfully.
    I shook my head. "I think not, Betty. They are children, just mischievous children."
    I could see that she was far from convinced, but being a respectful girl she did not contradict me.
    I heard a door opening behind me and saw Betty's expression change. If anything, she looked even more frightened. She backed hastily away, mumbling, "If that'll be all, milady?"
    "Yes, of course." As she hurried out, I turned to face my husband, a husband who had entered my room without the courtesy of a knock.
    "Good morning," he said pleasantly. "I hope you slept well."
    I stared. Of all that I had expected or imagined during the long hours of the night, this ordinary greeting had not figured in my thoughts. Was this to be the way of it? I wondered. No apologies, not even any reference to the unpleasantness of the previous night?
    "Good morning," I replied. "I slept reasonably well."
    "Fine. I'll see you in the breakfast room." And he was gone.
    I put down my cup, picked up my shawl, and followed him.
    * * * *
    The breakfast room faced the sea. From its tall, narrow windows I could see the waves breaking against the rocks below, throwing up great swells of spume, and the ocean, this morning a deep blue-green, sparkling in the sun.
    The sideboard was loaded with food and I found myself ravenously hungry. I filled a