It was late in the afternoon next day when Rosalind and Patricia arrived at the address in Bedford Street. The elegant, four-storey terraced house was in an area that was well-to-do, but too close to Seven Dials to be fashionable. However, the maid who showed them to the drawing room on the first floor was polite and well trained.

Felicia was seated in a comfortable armchair by the fire, but she rose to her feet and advanced on her daughters with her arms outstretched. ‘My darling girls, how lovely to see you. Come and sit by the fire and tell me all your news. Dawson will bring us tea and pastries.’ She dismissed Dawson with a wave of her hand. ‘Did you have a good journey?’

‘It was tedious, Mama.’ Patricia arranged herself on the sofa, spreading her skirts so that there was little room for Rosalind.

‘So you managed to persuade your sister to leave Rockwood for a while.’ Felicia returned to her chair by the fire. ‘How did you do that, Patsy?’

‘I just came to chaperone her on the journey, Mama.’ Rosalind perched on the arm of the sofa. ‘I’ll return to Devon tomorrow or the next day.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous, Rosalind.’ Felicia shook her head. ‘You can’t come all this way for such a short stay. You’ll want to see my performance at the theatre. Besides which, there’s someone in town who I know you’ll want to see.’ Felicia paused, looking from one to the other. ‘It’s Bertie. He accompanied his commanding officer to London, which is so fortunate for us.’

Rosalind breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I thought he was fighting in the Crimea. How wonderful.’

‘I suppose it will be fun to meet him and his fellow officers,’ Patricia said thoughtfully. ‘They can be quite dashing in their uniforms.’

‘You look well, Mama.’ Rosalind steered the conversation away from the topic of army officers. The last thing she wanted was for her mother and sister to dwell on Patricia’s involvement with Alex. Just the mention of his name made the colour rush to her cheeks and Mama was no fool when it came to relationships. ‘And how is Claude? I hope he’s treating you well.’

‘Claude is a darling and if I look blooming it’s because I am happy.’ Felicia narrowed her eyes as she gazed at Rosalind. ‘You, on the other hand, look decidedly peaky. Are you unwell, dear?’

‘Of course, you don’t know, Mama. Rosie is in the family way. This will probably be her last trip without the burden of crying babies and all that goes with them. You’re going to be a grandmother.’