Tabitha grew into a beautiful toddler, who, as David had said, did bear a striking resemblance to her mother.

Martha however continued to find herself isolated and David sensed her struggle. On a warm evening as the middle of the season approached he suggested they walk out to the newly established Village Green, to enjoy dancing together.

Sadly their evening was cut short by a summer storm but at home they still enjoyed themselves together; while Frances took care of her younger sister.

In the early hours of the next morning, after a surprisingly simple labour, Martha welcomed her new daughter Tabitha. ‘She’s beautiful,’ David told her, ‘Looks like you.’

‘How can you tell?’ Martha asked, ‘She’s only a baby.’

‘It’s because she’s perfect,’ David kissed them both.

After settling into a routine with Tabitha with help from their maid Harriet, Martha was keen to return to socialising. She wrote to George and Eliza but they were still refusing all invitations. George had played chess with David, but she missed Eliza. More than that she missed their friends from before, she loved the adventure of this new opportunity, but she longed to create a social circle around the family. Martha was also well aware that her daughter was already dreaming of romance, and that David would definitely encourage her, so it was best to meet the young woman as a family.

When the ladies came to dinner Frances greeted them both and they settled around the dining table together, after the meal the ladies withdrew together – Martha playing piano, Fanny reading and Mabel and Frances playing chess. At dinner the talk was of business, of new friends, and of art again ...

... a lot of art. Frances was starting to feel that she was missing something, she had not even known her father knew anything about art, and Mabel talked of beautiful things she made in pottery.

‘Do you think I could?’ Frances asked Mabel as they played chess together.

‘Could do what?’ Mabel asked.

‘Learn to make things, you make it sound so wonderful.’

‘I am sure you could do anything you set your mind to.’ Mabel told her and calmly moved her piece into a winning position, ‘Except win this game of chess.’

Fanny glanced across from her book, intrigued, she did not remember the last time she had heard the young woman speak with any humour.

When she breakfasted with her daughter later Martha of course brought up the subject, ‘Your father says you met someone new?’ she asked.

‘Mabel?’ Frances did not hesitate, she smiled straight away, ‘she was very kind.’

‘So your father mentioned,’ Martha smiled at her daughter.

‘We walked in the woods as well since we met her at the market.’

‘You are friends?’ The smile on Frances’ face told her mother all she needed to know, her daughter was very much thinking romantic thoughts of this young woman.

Later that day Mabel called on Frances again, she was delighted to receive her new friend and they walked out to the woods again as Martha was resting from her pregnancy.

They talked much of their interests, books that Frances had read and Mabel’s interest in art and passion for making pottery. They exchanged gentle touches and romantic glances, Frances found Mabel beautiful and captivating.

‘I spoke with mother about you,’ France told her, ‘Perhaps she might invite you to dinner after the baby arrives.’

‘I would be delighted,’ Mabel took her hand gently, ‘Fanny has already said that she would accompany me.’

The two young women exchanged a gentle kiss and a warm embrace before they parted.

‘I cannot tell George yet, he will be so disappointed if it goes wrong again.’

‘If it does, you will need him, you must tell him.’

‘I may not even be with child, how do I know?’

‘When your womb expands, then it is certain.’

‘Or when I…’ Eliza gasped, ‘Like last time.’

‘Try to sleep,’ Susan said, standing up and helping Eliza to settle the covers over her.

‘Stay with me, please.’ Eliza asked.

Susan nodded, unable to refuse and also concerned for her mistress’ health and wellbeing. A few hours later Eliza awakened to a strange feeling, one that she had not felt last time, and her womb expanded.

‘George!’ Eliza called out excitedly, as soon as Susan had helped her dress. ‘I must tell you something!’

‘What is it my dear?’ he asked her.

‘A baby,’ she smiled with delight, ‘I am with child!’

‘You are certain?’ He asked.

‘Yes,’ she showed him the swelling in her abdomen.

‘How do you feel?’ he asked her, touching her cheek, ‘Really?’

‘Terrified,’ she admitted, ‘what if?’

He took her gently in his arms, ‘We’ll do it together.’ He told her.

The next morning at breakfast George insisted that Eliza remain home to rest for the duration of her pregnancy and take no chances. He too, was worried, whatever this might bring, but he was determined to take care of his wife.

Alfred had been considering George’s proposition. He could not believe his luck – to manage the estate farm and farmhouse. But he had another hope, he did not want to take this on alone, he and Margaret had been becoming close over recent weeks. One evening they took a walk to the new village green and Alfred shared George’s offer with Margaret.

‘Really?’ she said, ‘Our own farm?’

‘Well, it would be their farm, but we would run it.’

‘A farmhouse, with my own kitchen?’ she asked gleefully.

‘There would be no one else using it,’ he grinned, ‘Unless we had children.’

‘Perhaps one day,’ Margaret smiled, ‘Thank you.’

‘Then you will consider it?’ Alfred asked. ‘Of course.’ She took his hands and they stood together, both glancing briefly at the handfasting tree behind them before they headed back up the hill to Hillcrest Manor together.

George considered what David had told him, how cold Eliza had been since they had been together again. He wanted nothing more than to take care of her, and as David had said, there was always a chance, all that Eliza wanted was a baby, all that he wanted too, perhaps they should try, perhaps it would be fine this time.

Feeling satisfied George recounted their meeting to Eliza that evening, she seemed delighted. ‘That’s wonderful,’ she smiled, ‘Come here,’ she kissed him gently. ‘I knew you would.’ She flattered him and encouraged him and before George had even really though about what they were doing they were doing the one thing he had not planned to do that night. But it was of course what Eliza had planned, all she had been able to think about, having a child.

The next evening, George accepted an invitation from David to play chess at the newly established Village Green in Appleby Hills. They spoke of David’s business and George’s plans for the estate, their finances and investments, until George asked, ‘How is Martha?’

‘She is well, the baby will be here soon.’ David told him, ‘She would be glad to hear from Eliza.’

George nodded, ‘Eliza has been,’ he paused, ‘unwell.’

‘I am sorry to hear that,’ David said softly.

‘She wishes,’ George explained, surprised at himself for confiding so much, ‘that we were also with child.’

David nodded, ‘We struggled as well, never thought we would again after Frances, there is always a chance,’ he encouraged George, ‘take care of Eliza, as soon as she can I will tell Martha to call on her.’

‘I appreciate that.’ George nodded, and proceeded to lose at chess.