‘What is it?’ James asked, reaching out to draw her closer to him. They were expecting their first child within the month and whenever he looked at Jani he felt a surge of excitement mixed with fear. What mistakes would he make? Would he be a good father, in the end? Would his efforts be enough?

‘It’s a snail.’ Jani opened her hands for him to see the clockwork snail nestled within her palms. Its golden shell was studded with sparkling jewels and its tiny metal antennae waved in the breeze. ‘Do you remember?’ Jani asked. ‘Miss Warren said she would make me one.’

‘Where did you find it?’

‘It was on my favourite seat in the grove.’

‘Was there a note with it?’

‘Just this.’

She held out a thick white piece of card. The words on it read simply: For Jani. Love him well. R.

‘So, you see, she must be alive,’ Jani said, squeezing his shoulder. ‘And if she is, then perhaps Lady Beatrice is also.’

‘Yes.’ James stared at the snail. It was unmistakeably Rosa’s work. No one else could possibly create such beautiful, intricate clockwork. He felt a great weight lift away from him as he looked at it.

Later that evening he stood smoking a final cheroot on the veranda, looking out over the view that he would never tire of. He did not hear Jani step out behind him as he put out his cigarette and said quietly, ‘Good luck, Cogs.’

‘Who’s Cogs?’

‘Oh.’ He looked round at his wife, then shook his head. ‘Just someone I knew once. I don’t imagine I’ll see them again.’ He held out his hand to her. ‘Come on, my darling. Let’s go for a walk, whilst there’s still some daylight left.’

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the following people:

My agent Thérèse Coen and everyone at the Hardman and Swainson Literary Agency for being such great champions of my books.

Gillian Green for encouraging the idea for the Winter Garden and working with me to flesh out the concept and characters.

My editor, Sam Bradbury, for helping me to refine and improve the finished book. And to Mandy Greenfield for copyediting.

Designer, Emma Grey Gelder, and illustrator, Charlotte Day, for the beautiful cover art.

I’ve always appreciated a lovely garden, but never more so than during 2020 when it seemed like visiting one was one of the few remaining pleasures that was permitted and safe. Many thanks to the following for the solace their gardens offered during the pandemic: Hinton Ampner House, West Dean Gardens, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and – best of all – the magical winter wonderland at West Green House Gardens.