‘Spinsterhood is not good for a woman’s insides,’ he had said. ‘Creates all sorts of problems and afflictions. Don’t think I exaggerate when I say that it may even cause you to lose your health altogether.’

‘Thank you for the advice, Doctor,’ Rosa had replied. ‘I will consider all you have said.’

Of course she did no such thing. The ravens afforded her the privilege of saying no. But when Dr Livingstone came to examine Esme, his prognosis was grim indeed. He said she had a complaint of the lungs, that there was little he could do and that she would, in all likelihood, not survive. Life seemed to grind to a halt.

Rosa’s mind returned to the words spoken by the fortune-telling sisters, and one phrase burned itself into her mind: I see a small gravestone before a year has passed …

But she couldn’t accept it. She would not. Whilst Eustace said there was clearly nothing to be done except pray, Rosa made tireless enquiries and obtained multiple second opinions. Mostly the other doctors agreed with Dr Livingstone, but one of them finally told Rosa of a physician who was a specialist in cases such as Esme’s. It seemed that if anyone could give her a chance, it was him. He was based in Switzerland.

Rosa made all the arrangements for their trip herself. She entered into correspondence with the doctor, who agreed to treat Esme. She organised their travel and booked their hotel. She made the decision to take Ada too, because she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her at Raven Hall to be cared for by the servants. And so she and Eustace found themselves travelling by brougham with their daughters, across the Alps to Switzerland. Rosa began the journey feeling hopeful and glad of the action they were taking – glad to be doing something.

But it was all for nothing. When they arrived, the Swiss doctor told her gently that it was too late and, indeed, Esme died later that same day. Rosa felt something unravel inside her as she held her for the last time. She wished she could be anywhere else in the world but here, experiencing this unspeakable loss. She’d fought so hard, but it had all been for nothing. There was nothing to do but make arrangements for the body and then return home the way they had come.