‘Alexander, stop,’ Rose said softly. ‘It’s perfectly reasonable that your parents need to know the background. Betsy and I are living here now and that entitles your father to know the facts.’

‘Let me say one thing more and then we will not speak of this again.’ William glanced at his wife before continuing. ‘Tomorrow you will become man and wife, and we will gain a daughter and a granddaughter. Arabella and I want to give you our blessing and support, and that includes anything that may transpire as a result of this fellow Nathaniel. Rest assured, in Alexander’s absence, I shall deal with him as my son would and you have my protection, Rose. You and Betsy.’

Arabella had clearly been trying to compose herself and now she said, ‘Everything will be all right, my dear. I am sure once you are married he will see that there is nothing to gain from continuing this preoccupation with you.’

William didn’t contradict this – he didn’t want to worry his wife further – but the facts spoke for themselves. If this fellow had been after her for practically a decade he wasn’t going to let a mere marriage stand in his way. Added to his previous reservations about this union there was now this nasty element which posed real danger, not only to Rose but to Alexander as well. If Rose was right and this fellow had killed once, and his friend at that, then he wouldn’t baulk at doing Alexander harm. But nothing would be gained by objecting further to this marriage. As Arabella had pointed out when she had spoken to him concerning the child a few days ago, he was in real danger of losing Alexander if he didn’t accept the situation. But it was a damn mess whatever way you looked at it. A damn mess.

Rose and Alexander sat together after William and Arabella had gone to bed, his arm round her as she nestled into his side. Alexander had so many emotions churning inside him he couldn’t have named them, but his overriding one was of intense love for the beautiful woman beside him who tomorrow would become his wife. That Nathaniel had tried to mar the day filled him with impotent rage but also deep concern, and but for the impending threat of war with Germany he would have resigned his commission and left the army forthwith. Never had he felt so torn about his duty as an officer in His Majesty’s army and his love for Rose. He kissed the top of her head and as she lifted her face to his, he murmured, ‘Don’t let him spoil the day tomorrow, my darling.’