The Downstairs Maid (58 page)

Nicolas was damned lucky despite his injuries.

Amy was still abroad with her lover. She’d written once but said it would be years before she returned to England. Perhaps by then the scandal would have blown over.

The parlour door opened and Lady Barton entered. She came to stand by Jonathan’s side as he watched the couple in the garden.

‘She’s good for him, isn’t she?’

‘Yes, Mother. She’s good for us all.’

‘I suppose she is,’ Helen said. ‘Your father is still sulking but I think he’s beginning to realise that she has worked a little miracle with at least two of our household.’ She glanced at Mabel. ‘Your wife is much happier looking after the baby – and Emily is so good about sharing.’

‘Emily is good at everything,’ Jonathan said and smiled. He called across to his wife, ‘Mabel – why don’t you ring for tea, my dear? Nurse will take Baby if you’re tired.’

‘I feel much better, not at all tired,’ Mabel said. ‘You ring for tea, Mama. I’ll take Nicky up to the nursery and then I’ll join you.’

‘As you wish, my love.’

Mabel smiled and walked out of the room. Jonathan glanced back at the couple in the garden. They were kissing, their bodies pressed together in an embrace of passion and desire. He envied them because they had so much, but he also loved them because of all they gave.

‘Yes,’ he murmured. ‘Emily is good for us all. Ring for tea, Mama. I’ll call them in from the garden …’

Also available from Ebury Press:

She’s bound by her duty to her family …

Forced to leave school at the age of fourteen, young Rose Sharpe’s dreams of independence are ruined by her domineering father and constantly ailing mother.

It falls to Rose to bring up her young sister and run the household, with little thanks from either of her parents. But just as Rose has almost given up hope, she realises she has a secret admirer of her own …

Also available from Ebury Press:

Trapped in a marriage to the wrong man …

Struggling to make ends meet, Mary Anne Randall is offered no help by her drunk and abusive husband. A pawnbroking business run from the wash house at the back of her home is the only way she can hope to keep her three kids fed and clothed.

But, as storm clouds gather over Europe, can Mary Anne break free from her loveless marriage for what might be a last chance at love …?

Also available from Ebury Press:

Can she escape the hardships of her past?

Growing up in London’s tough East End, young Sara Porter has had to learn to take care of herself. Her mother resents her maternal responsibilities and has never shown her daughter the slightest bit of love.

Starved of affection, Sara vows not to let anyone get close and focuses instead on getting out of the East End. But still she hopes that one day she’ll find a real family to call her own …

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

Version 1.0

Epub ISBN 9781448177110

www.randomhouse.co.uk

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

First published in 2014 by Ebury Press,
an imprint of Ebury Publishing
A Random House Group Company

Copyright © 2014 Rosie Clarke

Rosie Clarke has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this Work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner

The Random House Group Limited Reg. No. 954009

Addresses for companies within the Random House Group can be found at:
www.randomhouse.co.uk/offices.htm

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 9780091956097

To buy books by your favourite authors and register for offers visit:
www.randomhouse.co.uk