‘What do you expect? It’s been the year from hell. It is only fitting that we end it on a high note – or should that be a low note? Did you know about Danny’s affair and that he had a son?’ James looked at his wife and noticed how shaken she seemed.

‘Yes, I’ve always know about his love for Amy Brown. He nearly didn’t marry Harriet because of her. Poor Harriet, she doesn’t deserve all this worry.’ Isabelle stopped short as Jane, Luke and Rosie came to join them both.

‘Rosie, are you alright? Would you like to stay with us at Windfell tonight? I know it’s Christmas Eve, but perhaps your mother and father might appreciate you staying here. Ethan would be more than welcome to stay with his mother and father tonight – I’m sure Mazy would like that. You can see him first thing in the morning and then go back with him to Crummock in the evening.’ Isabelle’s eyes had been opened; it didn’t matter about your standing in the world; it was love for one another that mattered.

‘I don’t know, I’ll see. Ethan has taken my mother home, along with my grandfather. It seemed only right that he took her home. I should have gone with her, but Grandpapa said I had to stay here and wait for my father. Ethan’s father will take us back to Crummock, when my father is ready.’ Rosie looked at her cousin Jane and Luke, and for once they looked sympathetically at her.

‘Well, this must have been a shock for you, too. A brother you knew nothing about, being made so public. Your poor mother was distraught. Now, if you do stay, I’m sure you will be able to find a few presents under the tree with your name on. Won’t she, Jane?’ Isabelle gave her daughter a knowing look, to acknowledge that what was to have been hers might have to be reallocated.

‘Yes, of course, and you can help me out by listening to the boring conversations about the cadet school at Giggleswick with this one.’ Jane glanced at her brother and put her arm around her cousin. ‘I didn’t know who he was, Rosie, else I wouldn’t have invited him. I didn’t mean any harm.’

‘I know. It’s just been a shock to my poor mama.’ Rosie glanced over at the closed drawing-room doors.

‘Don’t worry, Rosie. Your father still loves you just as much. Your mother will calm down, and life will carry on as normal.’ Isabelle kissed her niece’s brow as she tried to ease the worry that the night had caused.

‘It’s very strange to find out that I’ve got a big brother I knew nothing about.’ Rosie smiled.