‘Oh, Piers. You are so old-fashioned. Mr Disraeli’s wife is twelve years older than him and they are a devoted couple. If it were the reverse no one would comment.’

‘You’re right, of course. I give in.’ Piers leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I would be delighted to see Walter with a wife, however much difference there might be in their ages. Walter is a thoroughly decent fellow, even if he does live in another world from the rest of us. Which reminds me, will you ask Hester to see that a room is made ready for Alex? He’ll be here tomorrow.’

‘So soon?’

‘Is that going to prove difficult?’

Rosalind managed a smile. ‘Of course not. I’ll make sure we’re ready to welcome him. I’ll go and find Hester and then I’ll write that letter to Bertie.’ She left Piers to read his newspaper in peace while she went in search of Hester, and having done that she made her way to the library. As she had expected, Walter was seated at the table in the centre of the room with papers spread around him and a pile of reference books to hand. He looked up and smiled.

‘Are you all right, Rosie? You look flushed.’

She sat down by the open window and Bob flopped down at her feet. ‘It’s hot today and I had to go looking for Hester. Piers has only just told me that Alex will be arriving tomorrow. He’s staying for a while.’

‘That’s good. I like Alex.’

‘Walter, there’s something I haven’t told you.’

He put his pen back on the inkstand. ‘I’m listening.’

‘It’s about Tommy.’

‘Yes, he’s a fine little fellow. He’s very keen to learn, so Louise says.’

‘I couldn’t tell you until I’d told Piers …’

Walter put down his pen. ‘Go on.’

‘Tommy is the illegitimate child of a girl who used to be in service at Greystone Park. I’ve only just had the proof, but he’s Bertie’s son.’

Walter pushed his chair back from the desk. ‘How on earth did you come to that conclusion?’

‘You know, of course, that I rescued him from the sweep. Well, shortly afterwards this man called Ezra Trimble turned up, claiming to be Tommy’s father. His poor little wife was obviously terrified of him, but she told me that Tommy was her late sister’s child. Sally Farthing who was a maid at Greystone Park.’

‘Yes, I remember her. Bertie used to sneak out at night to meet her and I was their lookout.’

‘Really? You never said anything about that.’

Walter chuckled. ‘I wouldn’t, would I? I was sworn to secrecy and Bertie paid me with bags of toffee from Hannaford’s shop. I never thought anything of it, and I didn’t know that Sally was in the family way.’