‘I know that Annie had the cleaning women go over everything twice yesterday, ma’am. I don’t think you’ll find anything lacking.’

‘I’m sure I won’t. Anyway, the menu sounds perfect, Mrs Jackson. By the way, Captain Blanchard has a fondness for oysters. I believe the season is due to start in a week or so, perhaps you could make sure they are on the menu?’

‘Of course, ma’am. I’ll put an order in for some.’

‘Thank you.’

Rosalind was about to leave when Mrs Jackson called her back. ‘Excuse me for asking, ma’am, but with regard to Miss Nancy and Master Tommy. Are they still to take their meals in the nursery?’

Rosalind nodded. ‘Yes, there’s no change there. Why do you ask?’

‘You’ll forgive my saying so, ma’am, but the servants are finding it rather confusing. Are the children part of the family or are we supposed to train them for service?’

‘They are to be treated like members of the family, for now at least. I haven’t quite decided which the best course is for Nancy, as she is so interested in learning how to cook. If you would let her help you when you’re not too busy that would be excellent.’

‘And Master Tommy?’

‘He is still very young. We’ll allow him to be a child for a while longer, if only to make up for the terrible time he had as a climbing boy. Does that answer your question?’

‘Yes, thank you, ma’am.’

Rosalind hurried from the kitchen. She had known there would be difficult questions to answer about the children, but Mrs Jackson had caught her off guard. She slowed down as soon as she reached the main entrance and ascended the stairs to the east tower, despite Mrs Jackson’s assertion that the room set aside for Alex was completely ready. She knew she was fussing, but keeping busy kept her mind off their imminent reunion. The arched window was open and the chintz curtain fluttered in a slight breeze that rustled the leaves on the trees in the deer park, and created white crests on the waves in the bay. The scent of late roses and lavender from the gardens wafted around the sunny room, and Rosalind automatically straightened the pillows on the four-poster bed, and smoothed the coverlet. Tilly had done her work well and the room was ready for a guest who would find everything had been done to make him comfortable.