‘I’m delicate, too,’ Felicia insisted. ‘I have to look after my voice and this heat does it no good at all. Rosalind, I need a glass of Madeira to soothe my throat. And you’d better warn Patricia that her former fiancé is coming to stay. I don’t think she’ll be very happy about that. And take that wretched dog away. He’s covering my skirt with hairs.’

Rosalind beckoned to Hudson’s young son, Pip, who had just started helping in the stables. ‘Pip, will you take Bob, please? You can take him for a nice long walk and I’ll collect him later.’ She followed her mother and Claude into the house.

‘Where did Miss Patricia go, Jarvis?’ Felicia demanded sharply.

‘I believe she was heading for the drawing room, ma’am.’

‘I leave it to you to direct my maid to our usual rooms, Jarvis.’ Felicia marched past him and walked off in the direction of the drawing room.

Jarvis gave Rosalind an enquiring look. She shrugged. ‘I’ll have the rooms made ready as soon as possible. Miss Smithers knows where everything is, which is fortunate. Will you see that she gets help with the luggage, please, Jarvis?’

‘Of course, ma’am.’

Rosalind reached the drawing room in time to hear her sister utter a shriek of either rage or dismay, or a mixture of both.

‘Do calm down, Patricia,’ Felicia said crossly. ‘Alexander will have to stay at the village inn. That’s all there is to it.’

‘Alexander will stay here, Mama.’ Rosalind faced them all with a defiant stare. ‘Alex is Piers’ brother and he has just as much right to be here as anyone. You will just have to put up with it, Patsy.’

‘He jilted me, or have you forgotten?’

‘You know that’s not true. Alex was injured and we were all stuck in France until Piers was well enough to undertake the voyage home. You broke off your engagement, if I remember rightly.’

‘I don’t care. I won’t stay in the same house.’

‘Where will you go?’ Rosalind asked wearily. ‘Isn’t it time you put all that behind you, Patsy? After all, you are a rising star in the opera world now. What does Alex matter to you?’

‘It’s true, isn’t it Mama?’ Patricia sniffed and looked to her mother for confirmation. ‘I am in the chorus, but the intendant has promised me a small part in next season’s work.’

‘If you’re going to be difficult, why don’t you go and stay with the Greystones with your friend Christina?’ Felicia said impatiently. ‘Have you sent for the refreshments, Rosalind? My throat is so dry I can hardly speak.’