‘Yes, Claude. The guest room in the west tower. Dinner will be at seven o’clock. We still dine early here in the country.’

‘Perhaps we should have employed Smithers’ Italian chef gentleman friend and brought them with us,’ Felicia said darkly. ‘At least we would be sure of good food, and I would have an experienced maid.’

Claude propelled her from the room, allowing the door to swing shut behind them.

‘Oh dear.’ Patsy sighed. ‘Mama is going to hate everything. I knew she would.’

‘It’s just her way,’ Rosalind said hastily. ‘As Claude said, it was the whisky talking. Mama is exhausted and she’ll be in a better mood when she’s had a nap. I don’t think she’ll find anything to grumble about in Mrs Jackson’s cooking, and Hester will make sure that only the best is served from now on. We’re not relying on Bertie to go out and shoot a rabbit or a brace of pheasants for our supper.’

‘Alex and Bertie should have been here days ago. I’m getting really worried now.’

‘It’s the weather, Patsy.’ Rosalind crossed her fingers behind her back. It was only a half-truth, but for all she knew Alex and Bertie might not have been on the ship that was wrecked off the coast of France. They could arrive at any time. ‘I’m sure they’ll turn up soon.’

‘Maybe Alex has changed his mind. He’s been gone for months and he was in love with you before you married Piers. Maybe he still is.’

‘Patricia Carey, you can stop that silly talk right away. Alex just thought he was in love with me, but it was a passing fancy. I’m very fond of him, and I’m sure he returns the affection in a brotherly way, but he’s chosen to spend the rest of his life with you.’

‘I’m scared, Rosie,’ Patricia said tearfully. ‘I was excited by the prospect of being an army wife and following my husband wherever he was sent, but now I’m not so sure. How will I cope in a foreign land without you?’

‘You’ll have Alex, Patsy. That’s what being married is all about. Then eventually you’ll have a family of your own to love and care for.’

‘That scares me, too.’ Patricia shot her a sideways glance. ‘I worry that I might become a mother too soon. But you’ve been married for over two years and you haven’t had a baby yet.’