‘Colonel Munday sent me an appointment to attend the War Office tomorrow. I’ve no idea why.’

‘I should go.’ Rosalind made an attempt to leave but Alex caught her by the hand. ‘It’s so good to see you again. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you, Rosie.’

She stared down at their entwined fingers. ‘Please don’t say any more.’

‘How long will you be in London? I have to see you again.’

‘I don’t know. I only came to chaperone Patsy because she was desperate to get away. You must understand why it’s best that we don’t meet, Alex.’

‘Rosie, are you coming?’ Claude’s voice shattered the moment.

Rosalind snatched her hand free. ‘Goodbye, Alex. I have to go now.’ She edged past, dizzy with the scent of him that filled her nostrils, bringing back memories of their time together in the Château Gris. But that was in the past and must remain there. She hurried after Claude and Patricia without looking back, even though the temptation was overwhelming.

‘I hope you were giving Alex a good telling-off,’ Patricia said angrily. ‘I don’t know how he has the nerve to turn up like that. Bertie should be ashamed of himself for befriending the man who jilted me at the altar.’

Claude slipped Rosalind’s hand through the crook of his arm. ‘Patsy is so like her mother, I could almost believe that it was Felicia speaking.’

‘He wasn’t to know you would be there, Patsy,’ Rosalind said lightly. ‘But it was good to see Bertie. I’ve been so worried thinking he’d been sent off to the Crimea, and it seems he’s been in London all the time.’

‘Yes, he’s a likeable fellow. We get on well.’ Claude quickened his pace. ‘I’d better get you home so that I can hurry to the theatre. Your dear mama relies on me completely, and I don’t want her going back on stage after the interval in a state.’

‘I’m tired anyway,’ Rosalind said, stifling a yawn. ‘I think I’ll go straight to bed.’

‘You are so tedious now you’re in the family way. Might I go to the theatre with you, Claude?’

He nodded. ‘Of course you may. I’d be delighted to have your company. We’ll see Rosie settled first and then we’ll go to the theatre.’

Next morning Rosalind was up early, partly from force of habit but also because she had slept badly. Alexander was the last person she had expected to meet in London, and seeing him so unexpectedly had unsettled her more than she would have imagined. She went downstairs to the dining room and met Dawson in the doorway.

‘I beg your pardon, ma’am. I didn’t think anyone would be up this early.’