‘I confess I’m exhausted already.’ Felicia fanned herself vigorously. ‘Do as you think best, Rosie. You were always the practical one.’

Rosalind paid her second visit that day to the kitchen to tell Mrs Jackson about their unexpected guests, and she found Hester in the still room preparing rose petal face cream. Hester rolled her eyes.

‘Trust your mama to turn up at the worst possible moment. If I didn’t know better I’d swear that she does it on purpose.’

Rosalind laughed. ‘Well, it’s Patsy who’s causing the problem. She refuses to stay here because Alexander is due at any moment.’

‘There’s always the village inn,’ Hester said drily. ‘Maybe she’d like to put up there for a while.’

‘Not my sister, as you very well know. She wants to go to Greystone Park so I’ve sent a note with Gurney to make sure it’s convenient. She also insists on having a personal maid, so I’ve asked Molly if she would like the position, and she said yes.’

‘She hasn’t had any experience of Miss Patricia Carey.’ Hester sighed. ‘I suppose that means we have to train a new housemaid. I’ll ask Tilly if she thinks her sister Jennet would be willing.’

‘Isn’t she rather young?’

‘I think she must be eleven or so. That’s only a little younger than Tilly was when she started here. They’re bright girls and they’re trustworthy.’

‘All right, Hester. Can I leave that to you?’

‘Of course you can, poppet. I’m glad to help, seeing as how your mama has put upon you yet again.’

Rosalind kissed her on the cheek. ‘At least I know I can depend upon you, Hester.’

‘You can, my dear. Always.’

Rosalind left Hester’s parlour and was heading for the drawing room to let Patsy know that arrangements were being made, when Jarvis called out to her.

‘There’s a chaise coming through the gates, ma’am. I think it might be Captain Blanchard. He’s driving himself.’

Rosalind felt her heart miss a beat and for a moment she thought she was going to faint, but she took several deep breaths and the sensation passed. She would have to face Alex sooner or later, and it would be easier to do so without the rest of the family clamouring for attention. She walked slowly to the main entrance and was in time to see Alex climb down from the chaise and hand the reins to Hudson.

She held out her hand, forcing her lips into a smile. ‘Alex, welcome to Rockwood.’

Chapter Seventeen

Alexander grasped her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘It’s good to see you, Rosie. You look beautiful.’

His smile wrapped her in a warm glow and she felt the weeks of separation falling away. Nothing had changed, but that was dangerous. She withdrew her hand quickly.