Rosalind followed her into the hallway to find her mother and Claude were there before them. A maidservant stood patiently holding Patricia’s cloak and gloves.

‘Do hurry up, Patricia,’ Felicia said impatiently. ‘I don’t want to be late.’

‘Coming, Mama.’

Rosalind tapped her mother on the shoulder. ‘I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning.’

‘Have a good journey, dear. Open the door, Claude. I can’t wait any longer.’

Claude gave Rosalind an apologetic smile. ‘Goodbye, Rosie. I hope you have a good journey back to Devon.’ He hesitated with his hand on the latch. ‘You’re not travelling alone, are you?’

‘No, Claude. Bertie has decided he wants to see Rockwood again before he embarks for the Crimea. He’s coming with me.’

‘My boy will be a hero. Just like his forebears.’ Felicia swept out of the house with Claude and Patricia hurrying after her.

Bertie emerged from the morning parlour. ‘Is it safe to come out now?’

‘Yes, they’ve left for the theatre.’

‘I suppose we can’t get out of watching the performance, although I have to admit I dislike opera intensely.’ Bertie pulled a face. ‘I was hoping that Alex would join us, but he sent a message to say he was otherwise engaged, which fuels my theory that there’s a woman involved.’

‘Who knows?’ Rosalind sighed. ‘I can’t wait to get back to Rockwood.’

‘It is good to be home again,’ Bertie said as the hired carriage drove them into the bailey of Rockwood Castle, coming to a halt outside the main entrance.

Rosalind was about to reply when the front door opened and Walter stepped outside to greet them, followed by Piers. Walter opened the carriage door and helped her to alight.

‘Piers has just told me your good news, Rosie.’ He kissed her on the cheek. ‘It’s wonderful. I can’t wait to be an uncle.’

Piers edged him out of the way to take Rosalind in a warm embrace. ‘Hester told me that you’d gone to London. You really shouldn’t do long journeys now, my love.’ He kissed her firmly on the lips. ‘At least Bertie has had the decency to see that you arrived home safely. Thank you, old chap. I’m much obliged.’

‘That’s all right, Piers.’ Bertie paid the driver, who lifted their luggage from the roof. ‘It was my pleasure. It’s time I came home, although I won’t be here for long.’

‘It’s good to see you, Bertie,’ Walter said eagerly. ‘How’s army life?’

‘Excellent, as far as I’m concerned. I’m just waiting for orders to join the ship that will take us to the Crimea. However, I’ll enjoy some time with my family before I go.’

Rosalind smiled to see her brothers reunited, if briefly. ‘It’s lovely to come home to such a welcome, Piers. I thought you would still be in Cornwall.’