‘Right, we’ll go first thing. I need to call in at the blacksmith’s in Settle, so it will give you a bit of time to be alone with them. But I’ll tell your father to behave himself while I’m gone. I’m not having you the worse for wear, just for the sake of setting your eye on our lass.’ Danny looked across at his father and hoped that he’d want to come with them both. But Archie said nothing, as he was too busy watching Harriet dishing up the sherry trifle that had been made earlier and passing it to everyone, before she reached for the two parcels that were on the sideboard.

‘This is from me and your father.’ She passed the larger of the two brown paper parcels to her daughter. ‘The smaller one is from your Aunt Isabelle and Uncle James.’ She watched as Rosie’s eyes lit up with excitement as she pulled on the string bow of the large parcel, unfolding the paper carefully.

‘Oh, it’s beautiful, Mother, but when will I wear it? It’s too grand for everyday use.’ Rosie pulled away the paper and pushed her chair back, standing to hold the beautiful dress that had been concealed within the package.

‘Now, that is a picture. Aye, lad.’ Archie grinned as Ethan looked at Rosie holding her present of a blue taffeta ballgown up next to her.

‘Yes, sir.’ Ethan looked at the girl he loved and felt unsure of himself for the first time. Perhaps his father was right: he shouldn’t be aiming for a girl like Rosie. She was far too high above him, and he should know his place.

‘Well, you are old enough to go to one or two of the local dances now, and Aunt Isabelle is going to hold a Christmas Ball this year, so you’ll be needing it for that, I’m sure. We can’t have you letting the side down.’ Harriet looked across at Ethan and noticed his face starting to cloud over. ‘Open your other present – that was Aunt Isabelle’s doing.’

Rosie’s face was beaming as she placed her new dress down behind her chair and quickly tugged on the string of the other parcel, pulling back the paper to reveal a blue-and-silver beaded evening bag. ‘Oh, I’ve never seen anything like it.’ She ran the beaded fringe that hung from the bag through her fingers and looked around the tea table at everybody.

‘And here, lass, I’m no good at buying presents, but I thought you could make use of this.’ Archie passed Rosie the money he had put in his pocket specially for her.