Alex left and she gazed out of the window, watching him as he made his way along the street and then he stopped to hail a passing hansom. Almost immediately another cab pulled up outside the house and Bertie stepped onto the pavement. Rosalind rushed to the nearest wall mirror to check her appearance. She took several deep breaths and went to sit by the fire, forcing herself to be calm when Dawson showed Bertie into the parlour.

‘I might have guessed that the others would still be in bed,’ he said, chuckling. ‘How are you, Rosie? I thought you looked a bit peaky last evening?’

‘I was just tired after the journey, but I’m fine now, and it’s lovely to see you safe and sound. I thought you had been sent to the Crimea.’

‘My regiment will be sent there soon. I’m not sure when, but I was planning on visiting you at Rockwood if I had a chance. Is Piers well? And what about Hester?’

‘Both well, although Piers has gone to Cornwall again to check on the business.’

‘You could leave Rockwood and move to Trevenor.’

‘Do you want me to?’

‘Heavens, no. Rockwood is yours for as long as you want it. To be honest I can’t see myself living there permanently, and the title means very little to me. I suppose the old place will always be home in a way, but I like army life. It suits me well.’

‘What about if you marry? Your wife may feel differently.’

‘If I meet a girl who will put up with being an army wife she won’t want to be tied to an old castle either.’

‘It’s ours to pass on to future generations, Bertie. Curse or no curse.’

He grinned. ‘Yes, I’ve heard all about Marianne’s famous curse. Not that I believe it. Look at you and Piers, for instance. You’re so well suited that I can’t imagine anything coming between you two.’

‘The legend is just a myth,’ Rosalind said carefully.

‘Let’s forget all about that. While you’re here let’s make the most of it. I suggest we go out to luncheon. Alex is very keen to join us. You don’t mind, do you?’

Chapter Thirteen

‘Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, Patsy?’ Rosalind asked, hoping desperately that her sister would refuse the invitation to luncheon.

‘I have better things to do than sit through a boring luncheon with Bertie and his colonel. They’ll talk about military matters and I would want to run away. Besides which, Alex might be with them and that would be even worse.’

‘If you’re sure …’

‘I’m going to the theatre anyway. The intendant thinks I have good stage presence and he asked if I would be interested in joining the company.’

‘Really?’ Rosalind stared at her in astonishment. ‘I didn’t know you could sing.’