And I had to get out of this village as I had told Daniel to do. I told Betty I would only be away one night and hoped that would be the case. I sent a letter to Robert and received a reply very quickly.

Riding my horse to the town, I inhaled the sweet air of summer. The countryside was lush green. Robert was waiting for me and tied my horse to the post before we went into his carriage. Settled inside, Robert said, ‘You can only spend one night in Boston as I have to return to Salem Town for a business deal. ‘But we have the rest of today, all of tomorrow and the best part of the day following.’

I smiled sweetly at him.

Whereas before I drank in the sights of Boston, this time it was a blur to me. I snuggled up to Robert. I was ravenously hungry.

We went through his door which went ‘swish’.

‘Lunch will be at one-thirty.’

There we were facing each other, like an old couple, while we were served with steak and kidney pie with roasted vegetables and gravy.

‘You really look as if you are enjoying that.’

‘I am.’

‘The red wine goes well with it, doesn’t it?’ ‘It does.’

Stewed fruit followed.

‘Take a rest now and after we will go down to the harbour.’

Back in my bedroom I flopped exhausted onto the bed and dozed off. I awoke to shrill cries of sea gulls. After a hurried wash, I decided to put my lace collar onto my black dress.

The bracing sea air hit my face. Taking refuge in Robert’s arms, I snuggled inside his coat. The truth was I couldn’t wait for the night to arrive.

This time he carried me to his bed.

‘Oh, Robert.’

I wanted love so much and I wanted to belong to someone. I understood how my brother felt.

We clutched, bit each other, and tore at each other’s bedclothes and skin. Our bodies melted into each other and became a oneness, a throbbing oneness.

The first thing I saw when I returned was Betty’s face. I know my face was flushed with pleasure and Betty’s face was angry.