She was comfortably full after having her tea as usual at six o’clock but apparently here the adults all ate later in the beautiful dining room with its grand upholstered chairs and chandeliers. Her mam had put her best Sunday dress on with the lace collar and cuffs and she looked so bonny, Betsy thought, with her hair piled high on her head and the glittery necklace and earrings that Uncle Alexander had given her for Christmas sparkling like stars.

She voiced the thought, and Rose smiled at the small figure in the big bed. In the past there had been occasions when she had come to the Hall for dinner when Alexander was home on leave, and she had always been conscious of the dowdiness of her clothes and scant knowledge of the custom of fine dining. There seemed to be so many items of cutlery, umpteen courses one after the other and even different wines to accompany certain dishes, and the food was of such variety that she was rarely able to finish what was put on her plate. She had got a little more used to the niceties of upper-class etiquette which Alexander called a load of tosh, but still felt awkward, especially with William’s eagle eyes taking in her every move. But now this was her home, at least for the foreseeable future. She would have to do something about getting some new clothes, she thought, as she smoothed down the bodice of her dress, especially as they would be travelling round Europe on honeymoon, but she doubted whether Consett had the sort of garments she would be expected to wear as Alexander’s wife and she had no idea where else to shop.

A polite knock at the door interrupted her thoughts, and thinking it was one of the maids, she called, ‘Come in,’ and then stared in surprise when her future mother-in-law came into the room with several dresses in her arms.

Arabella appeared flustered, and her first words were in the form of an apology. ‘Rose, these were meant to be a wedding gift to you from me, one woman to another, but as you are here I thought it might be easier to give them to you now. I have taken the liberty of buying you a few things as I didn’t think you would have the time before the wedding with all there is to do and—’

Rose gently interrupted the embarrassed flow of words. ‘Arabella, that is so kind of you.’ Deciding to be honest, she added, ‘I’m aware I don’t look the part but I have never been in a position to buy myself many clothes before.’