‘Indeed it is. Let’s hope this is the beginning of a wonderful Christmas, full of magic.’ Harriet put her arm around Rosie and pulled her close to her. She noticed Rosie glance at the lad who was talking to Jane, with his back towards them, and saw that he was not well dressed, so Ethan would not have looked too out of place. She guessed Rosie was thinking the same thing.

‘Go and enjoy yourselves. Just shout when you want a drink and Thomson will serve you. There’s cold platters laid out in the dining room and, as Archie says, there’s the Beresford Band playing in the ballroom. They would have been a bit too racy in Charlotte’s day, but we’ve moved with the times.’ James patted Danny on the shoulder and watched as the family walked into the throng and were made welcome by the other guests.

‘Please excuse me, dear; most of the guests have arrived now and I want to have a talk to the officer who is standing next to Luke and his friend. Just to get an idea of how he thinks our country stands in these turbulent times.’ James smiled at Isabelle. He’d done his duty, standing like a stuffed dummy, meeting and greeting while some of the so-called ladies looked at him and then giggled as they walked away, and their husbands chastised them even for looking at him. It would be a long time before his transgression with Madge Burton was forgotten, of that he was sure. Nobody forgot anything in the Dales, especially when it came to a scandal.

‘Certainly, dear, I’m about to mix myself and make everyone welcome to our home. Isn’t it wonderful to have the manor filled again with so many people – we must do it again next year.’ Isabelle picked up her champagne flute and made a beeline for Jane, as she needed to know who the mystery guest was that was keeping her daughter so enthralled.

‘The world is in chaos, sir. Every country has its eye on another one, and before long the alliances between countries will be tested beyond belief.’

Captain Pierce looked sternly at James as he stood alongside Luke and his best friend, Bill.