‘Could I interest you in a dance, madam? I do believe the band is playing a waltz and, as that is the only dance I can do, we had better make a move and show them how it is done.’ Ethan winked; he was going to enjoy himself, just like everybody else.

‘Do you think we should? My mother will have a fit when she sees you. She’s been trying to introduce me to eligible young men all evening. The only one she hasn’t bothered with is the one Jane is talking to, and although Mother says she doesn’t know him, she keeps looking at him strangely.’ Rosie took Ethan’s arm as he led her onto the dance floor, feeling excitement and a little fear as she realized that people were looking at what, in their eyes, was a handsome young couple making the most of Christmas at Windfell.

‘That’s our Rosie. Who’s she with? Oh my Lord, it’s Ethan. Just look at him, he’s in a suit. You can hardly tell it’s the same boy that drove us down here tonight. Oh, I could die with embarrassment!’ Harriet turned to Archie and then looked around her, at the faces watching the couple as they glided around the room. ‘Where’s Danny? Has he seen? What will Isabelle say about this? Oh, heavens! She’ll never talk to me again.’

‘Stop getting yourself flustered. Just look at them, they are the bonniest couple here tonight, and they know it. You should be proud of them, especially Rosie – she loves that lad, you know. And you can’t say you haven’t been there yourself, because you have. My lad had money, and you didn’t have much, so how do you think we felt when you became part of the family? It didn’t worry us, and it shouldn’t worry you now. Just look at them, they are as pretty as a picture.’ Archie leaned on his stick as he sat at the edge of the ballroom and watched Rosie and Ethan holding one another tightly as they waltzed around the room. Rosie’s face was full of love, and Ethan looked so proud as he concentrated on his footwork. ‘Bonniest couple in Yorkshire, that’s what they are.’ He sat back and shook his head as Harriet pushed her way through the crowds in search of Danny and Isabelle, to reassure her sister-in-law that she had known nothing of Ethan and Rosie’s plans.

‘I know – I’ve seen him, he’s here!’ Flustered, Harriet broke into the conversation that Danny and Isabelle were having. She didn’t notice the look of worry on both their faces when she spoke to them, and was nearly in tears as she saw the anger on Isabelle’s face.

Isabelle looked shocked at Harriet’s words.