‘Yes, I see the situation plainly enough, your grace.’ Dr Livingstone stood up too and moved a little closer to Rosa. There was a hard lack of pity in his eyes that chilled her blood. ‘I realise this might be distressing to hear,’ he said. ‘But it is my medical opinion that treatment at this time would be highly beneficial, not just for you, but for your entire family. Should your condition go unattended, it could develop into hysteria. Of course the duke is ultimately responsible for your health and well-being and must be called upon to make decisions on your behalf, if your condition means you lack the capability to do so yourself. We thought to seek your involvement as a courtesy, but I must tell you that I have only to sign the necessary certificate and all the arrangements will be put in place.’

Rosa stared at him. ‘Do you dare try to tell me that I would be sent off somewhere against my will?’

‘A break from the child would be for your own good, and the good of those around you,’ the doctor said sternly.

Rosa looked at Eustace. ‘Do I need to remind you what would happen, should such an event occur?’ she said.

Eustace rubbed the back of his neck. ‘My dear,’ he said. ‘I understand your reluctance, but we both know you are not happy. Dr Livingstone and I are only trying to help you. What harm could it do to give the treatment a chance?’

‘If you wish to be a responsible mother, it is the only course of action available,’ the doctor put in.

Something snapped inside Rosa then. She could see it happening so easily – the crunch of carriage wheels arriving under the hushed cover of night, strong hands taking her from her bed and forcing her into some strange, cold, pitiless place. Ada would be handed over to servants who did not love her. And Rosa would be absent from Raven Hall right at the time she most needed to be there – her chance to win the wish ripped from her hands.

‘Thank you for your concern, Dr Livingstone,’ she said. ‘Now please leave this house. The ravens will show you the way.’

The doctor frowned. ‘What ravens?’

‘The ones who will make your life a misery if you ever lift a finger to have me removed from my daughter.’

She snapped her fingers and a fury of ravens descended down the chimney like locusts, surrounding Dr Livingstone in a dark, angry cloud. Rosa felt a swell of triumph as she heard his yells from within the mass of birds. In that moment she didn’t care if he lost his eyes. She simply wanted him out of the house, and it thrilled her that she had the power to make it happen.