“I have good news,” Titus said, looking in at Rose as she scraped the burnt bits off the toast. He looked happier than she had seen him in days. He had not smiled since that night at the theatre and that had been nearly a week ago.

“You’ve hired a cook so I don’t have to sit in front of the stove all morning?”

“Better. I have a job.” He set down his case, nodding towards it. “Some things from my former home. I will unpack it later.”

“You have a job?” Rose set down the toast and ran to him, throwing her arms around him. “That’s wonderful. What job is it?”

“Tutor to a young woman.”

“Oh, I see.” Her arms slid from him and she took a step backwards. “Do I need to worry?”

“You jealous little thing. No, you do not need to worry. I love you, Rose, no one else.”

“But what if she is more attractive than me? What if her parents like you?”

“What of it? You are the one I have chosen to spend my life with.”

“Could you not take a different job?”

“Believe me, I have tried. There is nothing out there unless you want me to live in at one of the mills, then where would we be? I would never see you.”

“How did you find out about this woman?”

“I went back to the office. Mrs. Cartwright had a job lined up waiting for me. I will be gone during the days but I will be back each night and you do not need to worry about a thing.”

“I will miss you.”

“I will miss you too but you just play the day away and I will be back before you know it.”

He left the next morning. Rose had woken several times in the night, each time finding it harder to let sleep take her. She was nervous, she was happy to admit it to herself. She didn’t want him to go. She knew she couldn’t tell him to stay, it would not be fair. How else would they raise the money to remain in that house? He had insisted she not work. “Little Roses do not work, they play,” was his answer when she asked why.

She was groggy with the need for sleep when he climbed out of bed and dressed. She got up too, watching him go from the doorstep, seeing him walk away with a spring in his step. It had been some time since he had looked so happy. He might have told her not to worry, but she worried all the same. She thought about the woman he was going to tutor. Margaret Smethwick, she was called. She could picture her, all shining blonde curls and a perfect smile. Hourglass figure accentuated by a corset. She’d take to wearing a nappy as if it were second nature. No, worse, she wouldn’t need to wear one. He’d fall for her the moment he met her, perhaps not even bothering to come back to say it was over.

She worked herself up until there was a knot of fear in her stomach. Just calm down, she told herself. She will be some spoilt greasy haired fat girl, spot covered with rotten teeth to boot. He’s not going to run off with her. He will be back this evening and it will all be fine. Find something to do, think of something to occupy yourself before you go mad.

She noticed his case still sitting on the floor and decided he might appreciate her unpacking for him. She could even tidy and clean for him, that would be a lovely thing to do. With a smile on her face, she picked up the case and set it down on the table, undoing the clasps and swinging open the lid.

The first layer was clothing, neatly folded. She arranged it nicely in their battered old wardrobe before returning to the case, pulling out a collection of papers. She found space for them in his writing desk, being careful not to mix up their order, having little idea how important they might be.

All that was left in the case was some trinkets and an envelope. She dotted the ornaments on the windowsills, smiling at the sight. Already it looked more homely. She picked up the envelope, carrying it across to the writing desk. She was about to put it down when the seal broke and slid open. Something fell out, rolling across the floor and vanishing under the sofa.

“Curses,” Rose muttered, getting on her knees and stretching out to retrieve it. She got her fingers onto something cold and hard, a small object that she brought out into the light. Her mouth fell open as she saw what it was that had fallen from the envelope and almost escaped. It was a wedding ring.

She turned it over in her hand. There could be no doubt about it. The swine was married. He had kept that fact a secret. Suddenly disgusted by the ring, she put it down on the writing desk, walking to the other side of the room and staring down at the floor, her mind beginning to churn. He was married. What other explanation could there be? Why would he keep a wedding ring in an unmarked envelope other than to hide it? Was he hoping to marry her as well? Was that his game? Marry the rich ones and then run off with their wealth to find the next sap.

Wait a moment, she told herself. At least give him a chance to explain. There may be some reason you cannot think of, some innocent explanation. Do not immediately think him a liar.

She spent the rest of the day in a nervous state. When she sat, she had to stand. When she stood, she felt dizzy. Lying down made her feel ill, pacing up and down the floor made her worse. In the end she went for a walk, returning as it grew dark. He was still not back. He said he’d be back in the evening. It was almost ten. Where was he?