‘I’ll thank you to remember that you have no real position in this household, Rosalind. Bertie inherited the title and the estate, and as his mother I am perfectly entitled to run things as I see fit. You and your husband are allowed to reside here thanks to your brother’s generosity, but Piers Blanchard owns Trevenor, and that is where you should live.’

‘Let’s not go into that, my love,’ Claude said nervously. ‘I’m sure that Rosalind is fully aware of her position, and it really is none of our business.’

‘That’s where you are wrong, Claude. I lived in this crumbling edifice for many years after I foolishly agreed to marry Wilfred.’ Felicia pushed her plate away and sat back in her chair, with a faraway look in her hazel eyes. ‘I gave up a wonderful career for what I imagined was true love.’

‘But you’ve resumed your calling now, my love,’ Claude said hastily. ‘You are a star in your own right.’

‘I was a child of fifteen when my talent was first noticed, Rosalind. I joined the opera company in London and I sang in the chorus at first, but I had my first major role when I was barely sixteen.’

‘You were a child prodigy.’

‘Yes, Claude, I was, and my greatest regret is that I married young and was burdened with an errant husband and constant child-bearing.’

‘There are only four of us, Mama,’ Rosalind said sharply. ‘Some of the families in the village are far larger.’

‘Don’t compare me to the peasants, Rosalind. I was born a lady and I’ll thank you to remember that.’

‘Yes, Mama.’

‘Don’t roll your eyes, Rosalind. If I pulled a face when I was a girl, my governess used to say that if the wind changed I would get stuck that way.’ Felicia rose to her feet. ‘I’m going to the morning parlour. I hope there’s a good fire burning because this room feels like an ice cave. If you happen to see Coaker, send him to me there.’ Felicia marched out of the room without waiting for a response.

‘I didn’t mean to annoy her,’ Rosalind said, sighing. ‘But I can never please Mama, no matter what I say.’

‘She’s a very sensitive woman, Rosie. You have to know how to handle her.’

‘I take your word for it. But what are we going to do, Claude? The guests will start arriving tomorrow, if the roads are clear.’

‘I know it sounds flippant, but I suggest we decorate the Christmas tree when Coaker finds one large enough to suit Felicia. I think we should concentrate on making the place as festive as we possibly can. The only alternative is to tell your sister the truth.’

‘I suppose you’re right, but it’s going to be difficult to keep cheerful in the circumstances.’