Rosalind experienced a sudden bitter taste in her mouth and she shook her head. ‘Not really.’ She had not the heart to tell them that she disliked oysters, and she had to fight down a feeling of sickness. She sat quietly for the rest of the journey while Bertie and the colonel chatted about mundane things, occasionally asking her opinion, which she answered with a smile and a nod.

Eventually the cab drew up outside the restaurant and she saw Alexander, who was pacing up and down.

Bertie chuckled. ‘You would think he was waiting for his sweetheart.’

‘Probably just hungry, old chap,’ Colonel Munday said jovially. ‘I get the same way when I’m kept waiting for my food.’

Rosalind said nothing. She allowed Bertie to hand her down from the cab and she greeted Alexander with a bright smile. ‘Have you been waiting long?’

He took her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘I was rather early, and it’s quite chilly for the time of year.’

‘Never mind the weather,’ Bertie said impatiently. ‘Let’s go inside. I booked a table because the colonel and I have to leave no later than half past one. We have a meeting to attend.’

The doorman jumped to attention and Bertie ushered Rosalind into the restaurant. When they were seated and had given the waiter their orders, Bertie turned to Alexander with a wide grin. ‘So why were you so agitated outside the restaurant, Alex? A strong fellow like you doesn’t feel the cold.’

‘To tell the truth I was worried that Patricia might have decided to join us.’ Alex met Bertie’s gaze with an apologetic smile.

‘Is that the young lady you left standing at the altar, Alexander?’ Colonel Munday said chuckling.

‘Not from choice, Colonel.’

‘My sister is very dramatic.’ Rosalind picked her words carefully. She did not want to appear to be jumping to Alexander’s defence. ‘Patsy has decided that she wants to go on the stage, like our mother. In fact, she’s at a rehearsal as we speak.’

‘No!’ Bertie turned his attention to her, open-mouthed. ‘I thought Patsy was after a rich husband.’

‘I couldn’t have lived up to that, I’m afraid.’ Alexander sat back in his seat as waiters arrived carrying platters of oysters, which they set on the table.

‘Excellent.’ Colonel Munday tucked a table napkin into his shirt collar. ‘There’s nothing I like better than a nice plump oyster.’ He took one and swallowed it with obvious enjoyment.

Rosalind toyed with the bowl of soup that had been put before her, but the sight of the shellfish brought back the nauseous feeling and she half rose from her seat.

Alex leaped to his feet and was at her side before anyone could move. ‘Are you all right, Rosie?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry – it’s the oysters …’