‘With marriage in mind, you mean? Rosie and Matthias.’ Kerensa looked up at the domed roof of the summer house and pondered this. ‘Yes, I do believe they would make a good couple. At least Rosie wouldn’t have to change her whole way of life like we had to.’

‘You try telling her that,’ Alice chuckled. ‘Clem’s getting more and more frustrated with both of them, they don’t show the slightest interest in each other.’

‘You’ll have to help them along, Alice, try your hand at matchmaking.’

‘I’ve already tried, Kerensa, but I’ve had no luck yet. Kenver’s had a go at throwing them together but Father reckons we should leave things alone. Oh well, if it’s meant to be… Perhaps I should ask Beatrice if she’s got a potion, eh? She’s got one for everything else.’ Alice winked and grinned at Olivia who was listening closely from her perch on Alice’s comfortable lap.

‘I’ll ask Beatrice for a potion for you, Alice,’ Olivia offered, wriggling down.

‘Thank you, my handsome, but I think we’d better leave it for today.’ Alice kissed the top of her head. ‘But you can do something else for me because I have to go home to my own little girl now. Will you be a dear and run along to the kitchen and fetch my red cloak for me, please? You’ll find it over the back of a chair. And will you bring the basket for Rosie? She’s going to pick some herbs and wild salad for Beatrice, now the poor old dear can’t get about so much. Can you manage all that? Oh, and you’ll find one of my triggy-apples in the kitchen, specially made just for you.’

‘Is there one for Luke and Kane too? They love toffee,’ Olivia asked, her little oval-shaped face bright at the prospect of the treat.

‘Yes, of course there is,’ Alice laughed merrily. ‘If I forgot them I’d probably find myself caught up in a battle of some sort.’

‘Aren’t you forgetting something, Alice?’ Kerensa asked.

‘What? Oh! Ricketty Jim’s bacon scraps.’

‘I’ll put them in the basket,’ Olivia said, and ran off obligingly.

Alice got to her feet and watched her. ‘She moves as gracefully as you, Kerensa. Why couldn’t I keep my figure like you?’ she said, pretending to be vexed.

Kerensa put an arm round her friend’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. ‘You’re no more than a bit cuddly, Alice Trenchard,’ she laughed. ‘Well, I’d better go up and get ready for our visitor.’

‘Oh? Captain Solomon, is it?’