‘I wanted to give you a guided tour of my new country residence before I left, as I was rather hoping you might be in residence when I return.’

Delighted that she would soon be living in such a glorious place, Rosie blushed with pleasure.

‘That’s kind of you, your ladyship.’

Lady Veronica, clearly excited, called over her shoulder, ‘Let’s start with the drawing room.’

Rosie’s jaw dropped as she walked into the lovely room, decorated with old oil paintings and furnished with deep-plush, pale-blue sofas and comfortable chairs. Charming as the room was, with its elaborate white marble fireplace and wooden parquet floor polished to a shine, it was the view that drew Rosie. The French doors were flung wide open, giving on to a patio smelling of pungent wild herbs, then the lawn overlooking the lake sparkling azure-blue in the sunlight.

‘I fell in love with the place the moment I first laid eyes on it,’ Lady Veronica confessed.

‘I can believe it, ma’am, it’s the loveliest place I’ve ever seen.’

‘I was so lucky to be able to take over the lease,’ Lady Veronica continued.

‘Am I to understand that you won’t be here all of the time, ma’am?’ Rosie asked, as they moved on to the kitchen, which, though old-fashioned, was large and well equipped.

‘To be honest, while the war rages on, I would prefer to spend most of my time here,’ Lady Veronica replied. ‘Plus, for the moment I think it might be wise if Marigold and I were out of the public eye, at least until the divorce is finalized and everything is official.’

Rosie gave a quick nod. ‘I quite understand,’ she said, while at the same time wondering how she could introduce the subject of her own kiddies. As if reading her thoughts, kindly Lady Veronica said, ‘I’ve been thinking about where your two children might stay when they come to visit you at Zophony House.’

Rosie quickly glanced up at her employer. ‘That’s nice of you,’ she murmured.

‘There’s the sweetest little turret bedroom in the east tower with a couple of single beds. It’s a rather thrilling set-up, tucked away up a spiral staircase. I suspect any child would love it.’

Thrilled, Rosie cried, ‘Really, you wouldn’t mind them staying here?’

‘Why should I?’ Veronica smiled. ‘They’re your children after all.’

After arrangements for Ronnie and Sally had been settled, Lady Veronica asked a rather direct question. ‘Will you be happy managing an entire household, Rose?’

Rosie took a deep breath before she said firmly, ‘I think so, ma’am.’

Understanding some of her anxieties, Lady Veronica quickly clarified the situation. ‘It won’t be like Dowry House. I plan to keep the staff down to a minimum; I don’t want a servant at every turn. A cook, scullery maid, gardener-cum-chauffeur and you as housekeeper-cum-lady’s maid should do it, wouldn’t you think?’