‘The vast majority of the time,’ the doctor went on, ‘motherhood is beneficial to women. But in some rare cases it can have the effect of unbalancing their natural inclinations and creating disturbances of the mind. Sadly, it is not unusual for the mother to unjustly place the blame for these changes upon the husband, turning cold and unfeeling towards him, which only serves to exacerbate the problem further. It is not a natural state for either party and can cause great unhappiness and stress on both sides. Fortunately there are treatments available.’

‘And what might they be?’ Rosa asked, forcing the words out through her gritted teeth.

‘I have discussed your case with your husband,’ Dr Livingstone said. ‘We have agreed it would be beneficial for you to take a restorative trip abroad together. There are several sanatoriums in Switzerland that I could recommend. A month or two out there and you will be back to yourself in no time.’

Rosa’s arms tightened around Ada. ‘And what about my daughter?’

‘Come, Rosa,’ Eustace muttered, with a gesture of impatience. ‘You know perfectly well that she would be adequately cared for here. She has an army of nannies and nurses who are willing and eager to do their jobs, if only you would step aside and allow them to do so.’

‘Excessive attachment to one’s child is another symptom, I am afraid,’ Dr Livingstone said. Rosa noticed how his whiskers were yellowed with tobacco stains, and her insides seemed to shrivel up in disgust.

‘I have already lost one daughter,’ she said. ‘I do not intend to lose another.’

‘Your grace—’

‘I fear you have wasted your time, sir,’ Rosa said. ‘I am not leaving Raven Hall. Certainly not now when I have a garden to attend to.’

‘The garden can wait,’ Eustace said. ‘It is not the done thing to open in winter anyway. Why not delay until next summer?’

Rosa shook her head. She had no intention of explaining about the competition deadline to Eustace.

‘It would only be a temporary absence, your grace,’ Dr Livingstone said. ‘Until you feel more yourself. I should think you would be glad to hear that there is a medical reason behind your restlessness and that it can be cured.’

‘Indeed,’ Eustace said. ‘It was very kind of Mother to look into this on our behalf.’

‘Your mother knows nothing of our marriage and ought not to be sticking her uncommonly large nose into our affairs,’ Rosa said sharply.

Eustace gave her a sullen look but, when he spoke, he addressed Dr Livingstone. ‘You see how it is? She becomes overwrought and quite vicious, without the least reason. One never knows when she is going to throw out some new threat or insult.’