Estelle had told the maid who had shown them in to bring coffee and cakes and hot cocoa for the children, and once they were settled, she turned to Rose, speaking in a soft, gentle tone as she said, ‘It is lovely to meet you at last, we have heard so much about you.’

Rose blushed, she couldn’t help it. There hadn’t been a trace of disapproval or condescension in either Lawrence or Estelle’s manner, but the situation was what it was and she suspected they wouldn’t have chosen someone like her for their friend, not with all the difficulties such a match presented.

‘I’ve heard a lot about you too,’ Rose said quietly. ‘Alexander is very fond of you both, and the children of course.’

‘Ah, yes, he is a very – how do you say it – “hands-on” godfather. When Nicholas was born he was nearly as excited as Lawrence.’ Estelle’s smile faded. ‘That seems a long time ago now.’

The men were having their own conversation and it emboldened Rose to murmur, ‘I’m so sorry about Lawrence’s accident. Things must have been very difficult for you both.’

‘Yes, this is true. Lawrence has fought his disabilities every inch of the way but has finally accepted what the doctors said all along – that he will not walk again.’ Estelle was speaking in such a low voice now that Rose, even seated next to her as she was, could barely hear her. ‘My mama thinks this is a good thing but I am not so sure. While he was fighting, hard though it was, it gave him purpose, something to strive for, yes? But now this is not so. The army was his life and he needs something to replace it, and I fear family life is not enough.’

‘What about the farm? Alexander said it is a good productive business.’

‘Yes, this is so, but my husband is no farmer, besides which we have a very able farm manager who takes care of it all, so there is little for Lawrence to do. He – he suffers more in his mind than his body.’

Again Rose murmured, ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘But you also have known heartache, losing your husband and being left with a young child. She is delightful, your Betsy. Rosaleen has been so excited to know that you were coming to stay. With Nicholas away at school I fear life is dull for her most of the time. She has her lessons with her governess, of course, but poor Miss Lyndon is herself rather staid and unimaginative, timid, you know? An excellent governess in many respects, of course, but both the children take after their father and are, shall we say, adventurous?’ She glanced across at her husband then, whose venturesome days were over. ‘But here am I, talking about adventure when you have begun your own business. You know all about adventure, yes?’