“And now you must meet Jebadiah's grand-daughter,” said Charles jovially. “Miss Fossington, this is Mr Kelling.”

Joshua turned towards her, and a humorous light brightened his copper-coloured eyes.

“Oh, Charles, for heaven's sake!” Hetty threw up her hands in despair. “There will be no standing on ceremony between Jebadiah's loved ones.” She took the introductions into her own hands. “Joshua, this is Rebecca, and Rebecca, this is Joshua.”

Joshua took her hand, and to her annoyance Rebecca felt herself flush. But she need not have worried. Although the gleam did not leave his eye, he behaved in exemplary fashion, bowing politely over her hand. For a moment she thought he was going to kiss it... and gave a sigh of relief when he did not, for she had the uneasy feeling that the feel of his lips on the back of her hand would have been strangely too much to bear.

As he relinquished her hand she felt her pulse begin to steady and was able to reply with a semblance of calm. “Joshua.” She inclined her head.

Fortunately, neither Hetty nor Charles had noticed the strained nature of their greeting, but she still could not be comfortable as she again took her seat because she had no idea whether Joshua would reveal they had met, or whether he would reveal the details of their meeting.

Still, the situation must be borne. They were gathered together for the reading of Jebadiah's will, and she must give Mr Wesley her attention.

“I will begin again,” said Mr Wesley, once Joshua had shrugged himself out of his greatcoat, and they had all settled again. He turned to Joshua. “I had just begin to read Jebadiah Marsden's will,” he explained.

Joshua nodded. “Charles wrote and told me of Jebadiah's death.” His face became more serious, and Rebecca realized that for all his untamed appearance he was capable of strong attachments, for it was obvious he had loved her grandfather deeply. “I would have been here sooner but the letter was delayed and my own journey home was hampered by a bad crossing and then all this snow.”