“If the mail has got through, then a private coach should be able to get through as well,” said Charles. “We won't have Joshua with us here in London for much longer, I fear.”

His words proved to be prophetic. That afternoon Joshua called to make his farewells.

“You're leaving us tomorrow, then?” asked Charles, when Joshua had told them of his plans.

“Yes.”

Although she had been expecting it, Rebecca, for some reason, felt her heart sink.

Joshua went on. “Now the roads are passable there is nothing else to keep me here.”

He glanced at Rebecca as he said it and then looked away again.

The thought crossed Rebecca's mind that, had she accepted his hand, there would have been something to keep him in London: preparations for their wedding.

But of course, she had not.

“It won't be an easy journey, even now,” said Charles, pursing his lips. “The roads are still very bad in places. Miss Biddulph has been telling us all about it.”

“Even so, I mean to leave first thing in the morning. My work here is done, and I'm eager to take over the running of the mill.”

“We shall miss you,” said Hetty, kissing him on the cheek.

“It's been good of you to put up with me for so long,” Joshua smiled.

“Nonsense!” declared Hetty. “It hasn't been long enough! We have hardly seen anything of you this last week. But you will be in London again before long, I hope?”

“That depends,” said Joshua. “I will have to see how things go.”

“Well, you know you are always welcome here,” remarked Hetty warmly.

Joshua took his leave of Hetty and then turned to Rebecca. “Rebecca,” he said, formally taking his leave of her.

“Joshua,” she replied equally formally as he bowed over her hand.

“Your parting will not be of such a long duration,” Hetty remarked innocently, “for you will be seeing each other again before long.” She smiled artlessly up at Joshua. “Rebecca will be returning to Cheshire next week, and that of course is very near the mill.”

Rebecca felt Joshua's eyes rove over her face, but there was nothing burning in his glance. Instead, his manner was cool and distant. “Until we next meet, then,” he said.

And with that he was gone.

*  *  *

The rest of Rebecca's visit passed quickly. She was determined to enjoy herself, and to make the most of her time with Hetty and Charles in the capital.

Miss Biddulph had by now completely recovered from her illness, and Rebecca was glad that Biddy would be able to accompany them on their outings. It was for this reason that Rebecca had asked her old governess to act as her companion on the long journey, knowing that Biddy would enjoy herself in London, visiting to the elegant shops and interesting museums, once they arrived.

With the weather a little improved Rebecca, Biddy and Hetty embarked on a number of shopping trips. Cousin Louisa, unable to travel to London herself because of her rheumatism, had given Rebecca a list of commissions, and these commissions Rebecca now set about fulfilling. She enjoyed purchasing the lengths of silk and muslin her cousin had asked for, as well as slippers and bonnets and a host of smaller items that bore the stamp of London instead of the less modish stamp of the provinces.

In this way the final week of Rebecca's visit passed, and before long it was time for her, too, to leave.

“You hardly seem to have been here two minutes,” said Hetty regretfully as she kissed Rebecca goodbye. “Next time, you must come for longer.”

“If Louisa is fit to travel, I will,” Rebecca promised, returning Hetty's embrace. “I did not like to leave her too long on her own this time.”

Charles gave her his hand and wished her a safe journey. “And remember, you are welcome here any time,” he said.

“Thank you,” smiled Rebecca.

Hetty and Charles bade Miss Biddulph farewell, and hoped she would not take cold again from the journey.

Then, fastening the strings of her bonnet and smoothing her travelling cloak, Rebecca pulled on her gloves and the two ladies made ready to depart.

“I have had the squabs warmed with warming pans,” said Hetty, as she accompanied Rebecca and Miss Biddulph out of the front door. “There are two stone hot water bottles for your feet — one for each of you — and two silver flasks of hot water to warm your hands. The travelling rug has been warmed. I do hope your journey won't be too uncomfortable.”

“It will be better than the journey down to London, I'm sure,” said Rebecca, looking around her. The snow still lingered, but the roads were relatively clear. The worst of the winter weather was over.

“I have had the box of gifts for Louisa put at the back of the coach,” went on Hetty, as she and Rebecca went down the steps, whilst Charles and Biddy followed on behind. “I have included one or two little extra presents to make up for the fact that she was not able to come. There is a hamper beneath your seat, and if you get cold, don't hesitate to take a glass of Madeira. It will combat any chills and warm you through until you can reach an inn and spend an hour or two in front of a fire.”

“Dear Hetty,” smiled Rebecca. “Thank you for everything!”

She stepped into the coach, and once she and Miss Biddulph had seated themselves it pulled away. They waved to Hetty and Charles until the coach turned a corner and then settled themselves down for the long journey north.

*  *  *

It was a week later when Rebecca's coach reached Cheshire. The roads, although passable, had been treacherous in places and the going had been slow. Added to that was the fact that Rebecca and Miss Biddulph had not been able to spend more than six hours in the coach each day because of the cold and the journey had necessarily been long.

The coach's first stop was at Miss Biddulph's modest home. With many thanks — for she had enjoyed her sojourn in London, despite its unhappy beginning — Miss Biddulph climbed out of the coach. One of the footmen carried her trunk to the front door, and Rebecca waited only until he had returned before giving Biddy a final wave and instructing the coach to pull away.

Another hour took her to the gates of her own home, a delightful gentleman's residence in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.

It was three years now since her parents had been killed in a boating accident. During that time a number of eligible gentlemen had offered to take care of her, but Rebecca had resisted them all and had instead invited Cousin Louisa to live with her. Cousin Louisa, a gentle spinster of straitened means, had been glad to accept the invitation. It was an arrangement which had worked out well for them both. The two ladies had always got on well together, and besides enjoying each other's company Rebecca had been glad of the respectability Louisa's presence conferred on her, whilst Louisa had been grateful to have some company.

Rebecca's musings came to an end as the house came in sight. It was an elegant Georgian residence, long and low, with tall windows looking out over the gardens. Welcoming lights streamed out into the gathering gloom of the winter afternoon, and Rebecca felt a surge of happiness wash over her. She was home!

The coach rolled round the turning circle in front of the door and even before it had stopped Cousin Louisa, wrapped in a large shawl, came out to greet her.

“Rebecca! My dear! I am so glad you are home!”

“So am I!” said Rebecca, giving her older cousin a hug.

“But come, my dear, you must be cold. Let us go in.”

The two ladies went into the house. It was warm and welcoming after the cold and dark of the coach, the familiar cream walls contrasting with the brightly-polished mahogany furniture and the gold of the long drapes.

Rebecca turned to Louisa as she undid the strings of her bonnet and cast her eye over her cousin, hoping that she had not had too much trouble with her rheumatism over the last few weeks.

What she saw did much to reassure her. Louisa was looking younger than her five-and-forty years and her pleasing face, surrounded by soft, mousey hair and dominated by a pair of pincenez, appeared to be free of pain. Her small, rounded body was held upright, and she seemed to be moving more easily than she had been doing before Rebecca left.

“You look well,” said Rebecca.

“My dear, I feel well! It is those new pills Dr Lewis has given me! They have removed almost all the pain, and the salve he has prescribed has made my joints move more freely, I am sure. But come into the drawing-room. We must not stand out here talking in the hall.”

They went through into the drawing-room.

Rebecca looked around at the familiar, well-loved room. It was neither grand nor imposing, and the furniture was decidedly shabby, but a warm feeling washed over her as she took off her bonnet. The ormolu clock was still ticking on the mantelpiece, her favourite chair was set by the fire, and the warm tones of the apricot walls gave off a cosy glow. After all the turmoil of her trip to London, it was good to be home.

“Now, sit down and tell me all about it,” said Louisa, her eyes glowing with her pleasure at seeing Rebecca again. “Or perhaps you would rather go to your room and rest after your long journey?”

Rebecca smiled. Cousins Louisa was obviously eager for news and company, but was thinking of Rebecca in her usual unselfish manner.

“I will just wash, and change my gown,” said Rebecca, feeling a sudden longing to be rid of the dust and grime of the road, “but then I would like nothing so much as a cup of chocolate and a comfortable cose by the fire.”