‘Nay, his father would not approve. Besides, what would he wear? You know how they all dress up on occasions like this. He’d only be embarrassed by looking out of place.’ Mazy thought about the dinner suit she had hidden; it might be a bit on the large side, but she was adept with a needle and could alter it to fit her Ethan. Perhaps Eve was right: he should attend; he should be with Rosie and be proud to be seen there.

‘Well, if I were him, I’d be there. Poor Miss Rosie is going to be lonely without him. And Miss Jane will not help, as she always seems to be slightly jealous of Rosie. Although I don’t know why; she has everything she needs in her life and always will have, while poor Rosie has always had to be more grounded and is more like us.’ Nancy leaned back next to the sink and watched the others eating their lunch. ‘I bet he scrubs up well, your Ethan; under that long, wild hair there’s a good-looking man hiding.’

‘Nancy, hold your tongue – he’s half your age.’ Ruby looked at her second-in-command and shook her head. ‘I don’t know how you can even think about him like that. He’s Mazy’s son, and perhaps she’s right: them and us shouldn’t mix. Only thing is: Miss Rosie is not one of them, she is more like us. So there’s no wonder Ethan has taken her eye. Still, it’s a shame he’ll miss dancing to the Beresford Band. Especially when they are coming all the way over nearly every dale in the area. I just hope the weather is good for them and that there’s no snow. I might have a dance myself, down here in my kitchen, if I can interest that miserable Thomson.’ Ruby sat back and laughed. ‘Tell your lad to come and dance with me in the kitchen; he can’t sit out in the stable feeling sorry for himself all night. Nancy will make him smile, by the sound of it.’

‘I’ll see. Perhaps he should attend. He is Rosie’s beau.’ Mazy looked around her at the faces she knew supported her.

‘Aye, tog him up smart and sneak him in, just for Miss Rosie. It’ll make her night.’ Nancy turned round to start plucking her next turkey, making feathers fill the kitchen again.

‘I’ll see. He might be asked yet anyway, and then there is no need to sneak him anywhere.’ Mazy stood up and cleared her dish.